Tag: Downtown Council

Just funded: LaunchKC unveils 7 newest grant winners, topping $385K in startup capital

By Tommy Felts / November 20, 2024

LaunchKC’s big reveal Tuesday was about more than checking a box — or getting hands on oversized checks — with grant competition winners taking the stage to introduce their companies to an eager community of supporters, entrepreneurs and investors.  “This event is incredible,” said Donnie Hampton, co-founder of Roz, one of seven startups honored Tuesday…

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LaunchKC invested in this founder’s vision; now she’s helping the grants competition boost KC’s startup scene

By Tommy Felts / November 14, 2024

Editor’s note: LaunchKC — a longstanding initiative from the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and the Downtown Council — annual funds six to seven companies through its popular fall grants competition. Winning members of the 2025 LaunchKC cohort are set to be announced at a LaunchKC Liftoff event Nov. 19 at J. Rieger &…

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Grants competition returning with $55K for each winner; LaunchKC Liftoff applications open Aug. 14

By Tommy Felts / August 7, 2024

LaunchKC leaders’ hopes and expectations for the popular competition’s grant-winning entrepreneurs go far beyond their final pitches, said Jim Erickson. “We want all of them to grow and prosper. We want, in 20 to 30 years, for us to be able to drive downtown and see skyscrapers with LaunchKC companies’ names on it, having driven…

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How a newly closed parking garage could signal transformation for a living Downtown KC 

By Tommy Felts / April 18, 2024

A series of transformative building projects are expected to help downtown Kansas City’s continued evolution as a resurgence in residents in the city’s core push new retail, offices and attractions, said Tommy Wilson. “Downtown has actually been on an incredible growth trajectory since the beginning of 2003,” Wilson, director of business recruitment and research for…

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These ‘Urban Heroes’ are helping evolve downtown KC; here’s why they’re on the right path

By Tommy Felts / April 12, 2024

In a prelude to today’s celebration of downtown Kansas City’s evolution and momentum, four “urban heroes” were honored Thursday for their passionate work to make downtown a more vibrant place to live, work, and play, organizers said. Winners of the “Urban Hero Awards” ranged from honorees on the east side to the Crossroads and the…

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