Meghan LeVota

Recent Articles by Meghan LeVota

Profit and purpose: Innovators share 5 social entrepreneurship lessons

It’s been said that the best things in life are free. But what social entrepreneurs know well, is that it’s not that simple — nearly everything in life comes at a cost, including the positive impact they’re trying to make. And at Thursday’s Conquer for Good conference, a variety of innovators shared how they’re working…

KC tech innovators deliver mindset and personal development advice

For many, starting a business may sound like the dream — being your own boss, making your own rules and devising your own schedule. But the reality is that the entrepreneurial life isn’t all sunshine and roses. Like most good things in life, it comes with risk and challenges. And on Wednesday a panel of…

Darcy Howe’s hustle grows, guides KCRise Fund in first year

Kansas City may not realize its good fortune with the tenacious manager of a relatively new fund that’s investing in early-stage firms. Self-described as a builder that’s competitive and impatient, Darcy Howe is weaving her years of determined leadership into the KCRise Fund, which just wrapped up its first year with $14 million in the…

Deadlines approach for BetaBlox, EY awards; LaunchKC opening soon

Kansas City abounds with growth opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs — sometimes the trick is just finding them. To that end, here are a variety of opportunities for founders and supporters of Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem whose deadlines are approaching. Thanks to our friends at KCSourceLink for aggregating these opportunities! BetaBlox Deadline: March 1 Kansas City-based accelerator…

Survivor, innovator Kim Gandy rewards patients for sticking to treatments

In her 20 years working as a transplantation clinician, Kim Gandy found it baffling that a seemingly simple problem had such a difficult time finding a solution. Transplant patients consistently struggled to adhere to their health regimens, resulting not only in significant costs for care providers but also death. “We were literally losing patients,” Gandy…

Kansas City to host national student entrepreneur competition

Kansas City will soon host a national competition for student entrepreneurs. Set for March 6 and 7 at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards will bring its top 25 national finalists to Kansas City. To qualify, student entrepreneurs must be the primary operator of a business less than six years old…

Area experts dive into uncertainty and hope for immigrant entrepreneurship

Now more than ever, it’s important for the community to come together to gain new perspectives. That notion was a driving force behind the February Innovation Exchange in which Startland News dove into the subject of immigration and entrepreneurship. Hosted in partnership with Think Big, the event welcomed a researcher and a policy expert from…

Listen: KC immigrant entrepreneurs share their stories

In light of recent news, Startland News focused this month’s Innovation Exchange on the intersection of immigration and entrepreneurship. U.S. immigration policy has a profound impact not only on society but also the nation’s entrepreneurial vibrancy, which prompted a discussion including a researcher and policy expert, a local immigration attorney and pair of immigrant entrepreneurs….

MusicSpoke changes the tune of the sheet music industry

No matter your level of musical expertise, it’s no doubt you’ve touched a piece of sheet music — whether at church, in school or just for fun.  “Music touches everybody’s lives,” said Jennifer Rosenblatt, co-founder of MusicSpoke. “If you didn’t grow up singing or playing an instrument, you have children who did or nieces and nephews. You…

Events Preview: LaunchCode, KC Saas

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. Innovation Exchange When: Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Where: Think Big Coworking Rarely are all the facts of breaking news included…