Tag: Charon Thompson

Alchemy Sandbox winners are walking away with more than their $5K prizes, founders say

By Tommy Felts / November 24, 2023

The latest round of Alchemy Sandbox competitors showcased the perseverance and resilience entrepreneurs need to be successful in the long run, said Charon Thompson, announcing five winners of the small business pitch competition. “Businesses that continue to do well stay ready so they don’t have to get ready,” said Thompson, co-founder of The Porter House,…

Read More >

Black Drip plans OctoberFest showcase to give KC a taste of overlooked small businesses

By Tommy Felts / September 26, 2023

Black Drip Coffee’s OctoberFest is an extension of Charon Thompson’s passion for helping his fellow entrepreneurs, he shared. The free event — now in its third year — aims to bring together coffee enthusiasts, music lovers, and foodies in a vibrant atmosphere that showcases local small business owners. Festivities are set for 2 p.m. to…

Read More >

C2FO awards grants to three KC nonprofits boosting Black entrepreneurs with intention

By Tommy Felts / September 19, 2023

A new grants program developed by one of Kansas City’s biggest scaleups was founded with a clear purpose, said Jay Lott, announcing the effort’s first three nonprofit recipients and touting C2FO’s ongoing commitment to community engagement within the Kansas City region. “We want to support the nonprofit organizations that are focused on intentionally elevating Black…

Read More >

Mobile plant shop, nonprofit for returning citizens among latest Alchemy Sandbox grant winners

By Tommy Felts / December 8, 2022

The Porter House KC closed out the first year of its Alchemy Sandbox program by awarding five more small business owners with up to $5,000 in grants. In total, PHKC Alchemy Sandbox awarded 20 businesses with grants in 2022.  “We started this journey with a simple idea: to deepen our commitment to supporting the small…

Read More >

New grant from Porter House KC helps business owners ‘Scale Deep’; applications close Oct. 24

By Tommy Felts / October 13, 2022

An additional funding opportunity for select small businesses is now available thanks to a seed planted years ago by The Porter House KC. The nonprofit has partnered with the JPMorgan Chase Foundation for the new Scale Deep Grant, which will disperse $30,000 between three small businesses for back office support, equipment cost, rental assistance, and…

Read More >