Education Stories

Kansas State University, Manhattan

Spark MHK hopes to ignite innovation in an ecosystem often dominated by students, soldiers

MANHATTAN — An entrepreneur’s potential is anything but bite size in the Little Apple, Sarah Siders said.  “I’m really excited to be able to do this,” Siders, executive director of Spark MHK, said in announcement of the recent launch of the Manhattan-based entrepreneurial support organization — which aims to ignite activity within the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem…

Neelima Parasker, SnapIT Solutions

CARES Act grants 250 Kansans free tech training, equipment through SnapIT Solutions

With tech positions dominating the market for open and remote jobs, Kansas residents now can enroll in a free, government-funded certification course on IT, cybersecurity or IT project management through SnapIT Solutions, said Neelima Parasker.   SnapIT — an Overland Park technology solutions and training company — received funds from the federal CARES Act grant, which…

Photo courtesy of Engenious Design

‘Work-life’ comes to the office: KC design firm offers teacher, space for students as an employee benefit

Juggling Zoom meetings and remote work is difficult enough for single adults — let alone parents trying to manage the ins and outs of their kids’ virtual school routines during COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions, said Melissa Nickel.  “I do not want my children just to survive, I want them to thrive,” Nickel, operations lead at Engenious…

Blake Miller, Homebase

Meet the No Coast winners: Homebase founder, Garmin lead 2020 KC tech honors

Tech is a team sport — a reality undefeated by COVID-19, the KC Tech Council said Wednesday, capping a two-day virtual No Coast ceremony that recognized the interconnectedness of Kansas City’s tech community with entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, education and policy. Among the first winners unveiled: veteran startup founder and CEO Blake Miller, whose Homebase.ai employs 25…

Roy Scott, Healthy Hip Hop; Ina Montgomery, Urban TEC; Tammy Buckner, WeCode KC; and Edgar Palacios, Latinx Education Collaborative

LEANLAB awards $50K in seed grants to 19 Black and Latinx innovators in education

Entrepreneurs should reflect the communities they serve, said Katie Boody — a charge even more critical when innovative work touches Kansas City’s diverse public school systems, she added. “I know firsthand how challenging launching a startup can be for anyone, and especially for founders of color,” said Boody, co-founder and CEO of LEANLAB Education, announcing the…