Patterson Fellows launches as an extension of its founder’s entrepreneurial foundation

A new fellowship for selected founders is designed to identify, support, and accelerate high-impact entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions to challenges faced in rural communities — backed by a $300,000 investment in each entrepreneur over three years by the Patterson Family Foundation.

Library’s small biz pitch competition returning with Kauffman backing, cash prizes

The pitch event is now accepting applications for another “Shark Tank-style” gathering. Founder Zoe Mays said the previous competition’s $5,000 grand prize was a game changer for Scream Queens, her vegan ice cream business.

KC-built startup brokers $18M funding round as benefitbay pushes market trends to the norm

A just-announced $18 million Series A round for benefitbay is more than just investor or market validation, said Brandy Thompson; it’s a signal that the solution she built in Kansas City is no longer part of a niche conversation with consultants and employers — too often requiring lengthy explanations about why the model matters.

Leaked discount codes cost online sellers millions; KC startup sweeps their profits back

Kansas City startup Veeper built its business around discounts, explained co-founder Jordan Williams; now, it’s helping ecommerce brands stop such deals — and fraud often linked to influencer marketing — from eating into profits.

Resonus earns MTC investment, vote of confidence as startup accelerates its go-to-market plans

A Kansas City govtech startup is among eight Missouri innovators selected to receive a share of $6.1 million in equity-based investments from MTC’s state-sponsored venture capital program, the agency announced Tuesday.