Meghan LeVota
Recent Articles by Meghan LeVota
K-State LAB offering Kansas startups free growth resources
A Kansas State University business development program is awarding more than $100,000 in grants to Kansas startups. Through K-State LAB — which stands for “launching a business” — participants will receive business lessons, face-to-face mentoring and access to market research. Launched in 2014, the program aims to connect entrepreneurs with the right people so that they…
In address to Congress, Victor Hwang urges action on entrepreneurship deficit
Tapping into his own entrepreneurial story, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s vice president of entrepreneurship testified before Congress on cutting obstacles to starting a business. Before the U.S. House Small Business Committee, Victor Hwang joined an expert panel of entrepreneurs and researchers to discuss common struggles entrepreneurs face, possible solutions and emerging trends. As Republican…
Kansas City milkman Matt Shatto launches new ag tech company
Matt Shatto — co-founder of the the popular Kansas City dairy Shatto Milk Company — is trailblazing new sustainable tech to help farmers reap more crops and reduce costs. Launched in 2016, Kansas City-based TerraManus Technologies created a patented device that helps farmers better manage soil and allocate water resources. The “TerraStar Disk” looks like a plastic…
Urban TEC is building a more diverse STEM workforce
Despite a U.S. tech workforce that’s grown more than 80 percent in the last 20 years, less than one percent of black women are employed in STEM careers. As a black women in technology herself, Ina Montgomery took this statistic as a call to action to empower black women. “You’re going to need have a…
Events Preview: DevFest, Innovation Exchange
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. The Marketing Series: Maximizing the ROI of Social Ads When: Feb. 15, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Where: Sprint Accelerator The Marketing Series…
Healthy hip-hop duo remixes rap for exercise, education tech
Raised in the urban core of Kansas City, Roy Scott grew up idolizing gangster rap. Inspired by 90s hip-hop artists such as N.W.A. and Bell Biv DeVoe, he always hoped to become a famous rapper. But years later when raising his own son, a light bulb went off for Scott when he heard his 4-year-old…
15 local companies selected for latest ScaleUP cohort
ScaleUp Kansas City announced Thursday the 15 entrepreneurs that were selected to the program’s latest cohort. Since its launch in 2015, 62 local business owners have graduated from the four-month program, which offers immersive training for companies looking to scale. “ScaleUP! KC has been — and continues to be — such a critical program for…
Hyper-sustainable coffee shop opens in Hyde Park
A Kansas City coffee roaster with a focus on sustainability and creating zero landfill waste is hoping its first shop will be a model for cafes around the nation. A product of the Kansas City-based Paris Brothers food and coffee distribution company, Mother Earth Coffee has been available in local grocery stores and via wholesale…
Virtual reality field trips offer black history experiences for KC students
With backgrounds in tech, education and business, five women have joined forces to create technology-based educational experience to impart lessons on black culture. Last month, the V Form Alliance received a $19,000 grant from Mozilla Gigabit Community Fund to fund the group’s inaugural project: Virtual Realities in Culture: Explorations of the African Diaspora Project. With…
Events Preview: Life Equals graduation, Coding & Cupcakes
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. Weekly Events Preview The Marketing Series: SEO Made Easy with Brandon Kenig When: Feb. 8, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Where: Sprint Accelerator…