News Stories
Kemper Family backs Endeavor as global entrepreneur network deepens its Heartland ties
A Kansas City banking executive is joining the board of Endeavor Heartland through a collaboration that sees UMB Bank and the Kemper Family Foundation investing in Endeavor’s mission to scale entrepreneur-led innovation and economic growth from within the region.
Capital flows from relationships; this VC wants investors building them, not mining spreadsheets
Unlike the growing wave of AI startups promising to transform investing itself, one Midwest-built software platform launched by an industry insider focuses on a much narrower problem for VCs: organizing the steady stream of quarterly updates, financial metrics, documents and communications that arrive from portfolio companies.
Taking note: After sharing 20,000+ letters, the writing is clear; everyone’s carrying a burden
Kasim Hardaway developed Take What You Need, a public, interactive installation of 40 different letters that he wrote — labeled with phrases like “to the one who doubts their own worth” or “to the one who needs to let go” — inviting passersby to choose the letter that speaks best to them at that moment in their lives.
Your new favorite pizza-and-cocktail spot has two house rules: Be social; don’t kill the vibe
Serial entrepreneur Brian Roberts is back in the building where he began his brick-and-mortar journey, opening an aperitivo and cocktail bar — Social House — just a few yards away from the original Black Pantry retail space in Midtown’s Tower East neighborhood.
Early feedback: KC wants east-west streetcar line to 18th & Vine, transit leaders report
A possible KC Streetcar extension to the 18th & Vine Jazz District is gaining momentum as city leaders and residents work to shape what could become Kansas City’s first high-capacity east-west transit line. Questions about funding remain a leading consideration.