KCMO ready to do business with marijuana startups; entrepreneurs of color see ‘catalyst for empowerment’

Kansas City marijuana

A green rush is soaking up sunshine in Missouri, and if attitudes of state officials, businesses owners and marijuana advocates are any indication, Kansas City is fertile ground for the movement. “We have a huge diversity of business opportunities,” said Rick Usher, KCMO assistant city manager for entrepreneurship and small business. Usher is spearheading the…

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Candidates agree: KCMO needs an entrepreneurial mind in the mayor’s office … but what does that mean?

Steve Miller, StartupKC Small Business and Entrepreneurship Mayoral Forum

Kansas City was born of an entrepreneurial spirit, said Steve Miller. “We were all in the spirit head of the Westward Expansion, and [were] entrepreneurs from the very beginning,” said Miller, candidate for the Kansas City, Missouri, mayor, last month during the StartupKC Small Business and Entrepreneurship Mayoral Forum. “We need a mayor that has…

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A dating app for founders? Hotspots overhead? KCMO mayoral candidates pair up to pitch startup solutions

KC mayors startups

Bridging the digital divide in Kansas City is simple: Put WiFi hotspots in the trees, quipped Steve Miller, while pitching startup ideas — formed through on-the-spot brainstorming — to a crowd of entrepreneurs. “I love this tree idea … It’s very unique,” laughed fellow Kansas City, Missouri, mayoral candidate and equally off-the-cuff Alissia Canady, Tuesday…

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KCultivator Q&A: Nia Richardson an architect of startup support ‘born, made and raised on Prospect’

Nia Richardson, KC Bizcare

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Experience the world, engage with community, and execute ideas to get ahead — not only in life, but in building a legacy that stands the test of time, said Nia Richardson. A product of Kansas City Public…

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