Funding Stories

SoftBank’s $100B fund manager: Kansas City is a place people want to stay

SoftBank Capital managing partner Ron Fisher recently said he’s open to deploying some of the $100 billion fund he helps manage in the Midwest, including Kansas City. In an interview with VentureBeat, Fisher discussed Tokyo-based SoftBank’s bold plans to dish some $50 billion in venture capital to U.S. firms and thereby create 50,000 jobs. SoftBank…

Fund Me, KC: KCGeoLab is bringing geographical science, open data to the mainstream

Editor’s note: Startland News is continuing its new segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses.  This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com  Who are you?…

New scholarship opportunities for urban entrepreneurs available in August

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…

In an oversubscribed round, PopBookings raises $1M

Quickly expanding around the nation, the event staffing tech firm PopBookings recently raised a significant round that will push the technology into international markets. Led by CEO Erika Klotz and COO Scott Hanson, the Kansas City-based tech firm recently raised more than $1 million in an oversubscribed round that includes the Missouri Technology Corporation, iSelect…

UMKC nonprofit center lands $396K Kauffman Foundation grant

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation announced Wednesday it will renew its support in University of Missouri-Kansas City organization that helps area nonprofits thrive. The foundation has gifted $396,800 to the UMKC-based Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, whose mission aims to expand the capacity of nonprofit organizations across the greater metropolitan region. The grant will be…