Even gatekeepers struggle to bring KC’s women-led companies in from the cold

Female entrepreneurs are falling behind as a new generation of highly-scalable startups rises in the Kansas City, said Darcy Howe, reporting too few women-led firms even approaching KCRise Fund for investment. [pullquote] Editor’s note: The following is part of three-piece package, Women’s Work: Startups fueled by female founders struggle for equity. • Founder facing gender bias:…

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KCultivator Q&A: Darcy Howe helps awaken a sleepy city from its safe spaces, talks rest and refueling

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. [divide] Empowering Kansas City entrepreneurs to realize their dreams is in Darcy Howe’s blood, she said with a coy smile, seated in an open meeting space atop the 24th floor of her downtown office. “Kansas City…

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CB Insights calls KCRise most active VC in Kansas; Fund credits work of small team, innovative portfolio startups

Kansans don’t fear hard work, said Darcy Howe. An investment in such a mindset has come with big returns for the KCRise Fund, newly proclaimed the most active venture capital fund in the Sunflower State, according to CB Insights. “Perhaps overused but Margaret Mead’s quote, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens…

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