Tag: Urban Business Growth Initiative

Erin Bopp, Lightwork DJ Mobilverse

16 winners: Micro-grant competition debuts with $30K in prizes to entrepreneurs who ‘need funds the most’

By Tommy Felts / May 11, 2020

Not all early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses qualify for federal disaster loans, prompting an even greater need for programs like the new Dare to Venture Micro-Grant Competition, according to the Urban Business Growth Initiative. “At a critical time when small businesses need funds the most, the program offered a total of $30,000 in micro-grants to…

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What’s startup support worth? Orgs threatened by budget cuts rally behind ROI numbers

By Tommy Felts / February 27, 2020

Editor’s note: Startland News is a program of STARTLAND, an ecosystem-building organization that is among the participants in an informal coalition of entrepreneur support groups hoping to increase funding for startup support in the 2020-2021 Kansas City, Missouri, budget. This story was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. The impact is in the numbers,…

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Keystone Innovation Center, image courtesy of BNIM

Mayor’s budget nixes $300K for Keystone innovation development at 18th and Troost

By Tommy Felts / February 18, 2020

A proposed city budget for 2020-2021 signals a further shift in perspective for the Kansas City mayor’s office, removing significant funding for the planned Keystone innovation district project at 18th Street and Troost Avenue. KCMO would decrease the amount slated for the Keystone Development District by $300,000, if the submitted budget is approved, according to…

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New scholarship opportunities for urban entrepreneurs available in August

By Tommy Felts / July 7, 2017

The Urban Business Growth Initiative announced it released new scholarship opportunities for urban entrepreneurs in Kansas City beginning in August. Launched in 2013, the initiative offers a variety of programs that fuel urban business growth — whether that be counseling, classes or access to resources. The UBGI helped 92 scholarship award-winners generate $29.5 million in…

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With scholarships available, urban business effort grows Kansas City

By Tommy Felts / December 7, 2016

An effort to increase entrepreneurship in the urban core of Kansas City is increasing its area economic impact as well as its scholarship opportunities. Launched in 2013, the Urban Business Growth Initiative offers a variety of programs that help applicants access resources, classes and counseling to create jobs and support urban business growth. The UBGI…

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