Meghan LeVota
Recent Articles by Meghan LeVota
Education network CAPS snags $145K from Kauffman Foundation
A homegrown education innovation network announced Wednesday it was awarded a $145,000 grant to expand its programming across the nation, courtesy of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program began in the Blue Valley School District in 2009 and is now expanded to 33 programs encompassing 69 school districts…
WillCo Tech’s sale allows founder guilt-free $200K investment in smart grid startup
Selling a majority stake in his IT consulting firm will allow Kevin Williams to focus on and expand his startup venture, the Kansas City tech entrepreneur said. Although the exact amount was undisclosed, the acquisition by Ohio-based Metisentry earlier this month provided a big enough payoff to fund Williams’ and his wife’s future retirement, as…
After $2.95M round, corporate deal ensures word-of-mouth marketing for RiskGenius
RiskGenius’ $2.95 million series A extension funding round is worth more than its face value, said CEO Chris Cheatham. The round was led by QBE Ventures, an Australia-based firm known as being among the world’s top 20 insurance companies. In addition to the funds, QBE North America will be the first division to fully implement…
CommunityAmerica credits youth as most innovative, building teen advisory board
It’s the curious, passionate and inquisitive kid — not necessarily the valedictorian — who is the job creator of the future, Anita Newton said. And companies should do all they can to learn from such youth, she added. “What’s happening a lot in the world today is all this reverse mentoring,” said Newton, chief innovation…
Events Preview: Getting funded outside of Silicon Valley, Chili Cook-off
There are a plethora of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious community member — we recommend these upcoming events for you. Are you hosting a relevant community event? Add it to the KCSourceLink Calendar for increased exposure. Email info@kcsourcelink.com for assistance. Getting Funded…
KC yogis plan festival, find heartbeat in the heartland
In addition to a buzzing startup scene, entrepreneurial ecosystems require a community to thrive. Three Kansas City yogis have joined forces to cultivate a space for Midwesterners to “just be” and align their mind, body and spirit. Founders of this summer’s Heartland Yoga Festival — Lauren Leduc, Angela Cronk and Brooke Roberts — believe Kansas Citians deserve…
Confused about Tuesday’s KCI airport vote? Here’s the breakdown
Update: The votes are in! And turnout was high for a mid-term election! Check out Startland’s coverage of Tuesday’s KCI airport vote by clicking here. After more than five years of deal-making and debate, the time has come for Kansas City, Missouri, voters to decide the fate of the city’s current 45-year-old airport. On the…
GEW hopes to spark innovation, connections among entrepreneurs
Global Entrepreneurship Week is about helping businesses that start in Kansas City stay in Kansas City, Jenny Miller said. And it’s for more than the traditional “startup” crowd, the network builder at KCSourceLink said. “GEWKC connects people who may not identify as ‘entrepreneurs’ – those who may think of themselves as makers, creators, freelancers, artists,…
FAQ: Is it all hype? Tunneling into Missouri’s chances for Hyperloop
Virgin Hyperloop One might seem like a pipe dream. But the prospect of Kansas Citians reaching St. Louis in only 23 minutes is more realistic than many think. In fact, according to recent reports, Missouri has at least a 20 percent chance at landing Hyperloop, a yet-to-be-realized transportation system that moves people and freight at…
CEO: Infusion Express $13.5M round proves realistic investment can come to KC
When Kansas City-based Infusion Express closed a $13.5 million Series B round earlier this month with McKesson Ventures as its lead investor, the move wasn’t a fluke, Don Peterson said. “If you build something really great, the money will find you,” said Peterson, CEO of Infusion Express. “I didn’t call McKesson, they called me. When…