Tag: ECJC

ECJC carves out early-stage startup track for its popular mentoring program: GMS-Tech

By Tommy Felts / October 16, 2025

After a decade boosting Kansas City founders, Growth Mentoring Service at ECJC is expanding to target assistance specifically toward the region’s early-stage technology startups — using the same proven approach: high-impact, team-based mentoring from top-tier business leaders who’ve already been through it. “We have all these amazing volunteer mentors with deep expertise as either technologists…

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Kelly Sievers and Lauren Lawrence, Innovation Exchange

Capital connector’s message to women: Your investor pool isn’t just sharks; dive in and learn to swim

By Tommy Felts / October 31, 2024

When it comes to navigating the waters of capital and equity, Women’s Capital Connection angel investment network and the Women’s Business Center serve as a guide to both entrepreneurs and investors, Kelly Sievers shared. “All the education that we do and all the connections that we make, I would say that’s really the key,” explained…

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Jy Maze, Maze Freight Solutions

Secret sauce called faith: How being Black, religion and mentors shaped Jy Maze, kept her startup from failing

By Tommy Felts / March 23, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has not been the only hurdle for Maze Freight Solutions, said Jy Maze, and it certainly won’t be the last.  “People think because you’re a CEO of a company that everything is gravy. No one knows about the bloody knees from praying, the begging for money, nobody giving you a shot —…

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Downtown Overland Park, Johnson County

ECJC leading Johnson County effort to distribute $13.5M in CARES small business grants

By Tommy Felts / October 13, 2020

A new government lifeline designed to boost Johnson County entrepreneurs hit by the COVID-19 pandemic soon will offer a one-time $10,000 grant to qualified recipients. “Many of Johnson County’s small businesses have limited resources and access to capital during this unprecedented time,” said Ed Eilert, chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. “We’re…

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Nate Morsches, CEO and co-founder, Restaurant, Pub & Games (RPG)

Pitch Perfect expands bootcamp to a dozen startups: Meet the capital-raising cohort

By Tommy Felts / September 24, 2020

Going virtual because of COVID-19 concerns might limit in-person interactions during the Pitch Perfect bootcamp, said Kathryn Golden, but it allows the seventh cohort to double its size and potential impact on growing startups. “We finally came to accept that moving ahead online — while not ideal — was important,” said Golden, director of entrepreneur…

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