News Stories

Matt Watson and Matt DeCoursey, Full Scale

Full Scale pledges to invest $1M of its development resources in KC startups in 2019

Editor’s note: Full Scale is a partner of the Kansas City Startup Foundation and Startland News. The following content was independently produced by Startland News. Development help often can be more valuable to an early stage startup than simply opening a checkbook, said Matt DeCoursey, announcing Full Scale’s commitment to investing $1 million of its…

George Hansen, president and CEO,the Enterprise Center in Johnson County

Proactive hometown company-building will cross county, state lines with Fountain Innovation Fund, ECJC leader says

It’s time for Kansas City stakeholders to stop waiting for coastal companies to “save the day,” said George Hansen. “We spend a great deal of tax dollars trying to entice companies to move here with their workforce,” Hansen, president and CEO of the Enterprise Center in Johnson County, told a crowd of about 100 gathered…

Kauffman Capital Access Lab

Kauffman launching Capital Access Lab investment pipeline for underserved entrepreneurs

Every new business should have a fighting chance at success — regardless of the entrepreneur’s background, said Victor Hwang, announcing a new Capital Access Lab to address opportunity gaps in Kansas City and across the U.S. “It is up to us to collectively break down systematic barriers to entry that adversely impact people of color,…

Sandy Kemper, C2FO unicorn

Hunting unicorns: C2FO spotlighted as startup likely to reach $1B valuation

Leawood-based C2FO is among the nation’s highest-momentum startups, according to CB Insights and The New York Times, which teamed up to name 50 “future unicorns.” The U.S. companies on the list — which analysts involved predict will eventually be valued at $1 billion or more — largely are based on the coasts. Twenty-two are in…

Jesse Nelson and Bo Nelson, Cafe Equinox

Thou Mayest sprouts fresh coffee concept in the suburbs; new Crossroads flagship percolating

Coffee needn’t be melancholy or monochromatic, said Thou Mayest founder Bo Nelson, bathed in warm sunlight at Cafe Equinox. “We have to wake people up,” said Nelson. “We’re trying to celebrate the diversity of life — humanity, plants, music, art — so many collisions. It’s not a distraction. It’s not a means to an end….