Tag: Dan Smith

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…

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Fueled by $15M, MTC releases plan for boosting entrepreneurs: Here’s how KC is already seeing impact

By Tommy Felts / September 26, 2023

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — Increased funding for the Missouri Technology Corporation will keep core support programs healthy through 2024, as well as help expand successful pilot initiatives designed to widen economic opportunity in the Show Me State, MTC officials said Tuesday. Among the new efforts gaining extended life through the announcement of MTC’s FY 2024 strategy…

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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…

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Porter House KC earns MO infrastructure grant, pushing its retail incubator closer to opening

By Tommy Felts / August 10, 2023

Funding from a pilot physical infrastructure grants program is expected to help The Porter House KC complete phase 2 of the build out for its new 811 Retail Incubator, focused on boosting retail entrepreneurs from the urban core. “This grant will allow us to serve over 90 small businesses focused on retail operations within the…

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Pitch contest winners salute PHKC as fourth cohort wraps; $15K in prizes awarded to small businesses

By Tommy Felts / June 22, 2023

A winning night at The Porter House KC’s pitch event this week expands opportunity for more than just the company taking home the biggest check, said Taylor Burris. AI Hub — led by Burris and her husband, James Spikes — earned first place and $8,000 in the competition, which also marked the completion of PHKC’s…

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