Startups Stories
Black Pantry coming to Midtown: Boutique for Black-owned essentials opening storefront in shared space with Made in KC
When an opportunity pops up, make it permanent, said Brian Roberts, teasing the opening next month of The Black Pantry’s first brick-and-mortar storefront. The 650-square-foot space on the revitalized Martini Corner in Midtown is expected to open in early April: the product of an evolving partnership with the team at Made in KC. Roberts originally…
Building to billions: Inside KC’s premier esports team’s vision to reboot entertainment, game the future
All eyes were on the Kansas City Pioneers this weekend, as the esports gamers logged more than 500,000 viewers across various streaming platforms during a series of matches against some of the biggest competitors in the world. “In just one match alone, we had more than 160,000 people watching us play and engaging in the…
Not all entrepreneurs wear capes: Chamber’s ‘Superstars’ campaign unmasks heroes of KC business scene
A critical need is driving changes to one of Kansas City’s longest-running annual business events: support for every small business — no matter their scale or the neighborhoods in which they belong. “This is a time like no other,” explained Vicky Kulikov, small business director for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, detailing changes to…
One beat closer to becoming ‘Urban Disney’: Healthy Hip Hop wins $500K bid from Dallas school district
More than 70,000 Texas students soon will be singing and dancing along to Healthy Hip Hop’s children’s music platform after the Kansas City startup finalized a $500,000 contract in the Lone Star State, said Roy Scott. “It’s a huge deal for us,” the Healthy Hip Hop co-founder said of the Dallas Independent School District agreement….
Bippity, boppity boon for Disney pin collectors: Family uses tech expertise to build trinket trading platform
What might look like nothing more than tiny pieces of artwork pinned on a lanyard or to a jacket has become an unexpected livelihood for Jenn Nickols and her Kansas City-raised family of Disney fanatics. “We went to Disneyland and we discovered pin trading in the parks,” Nickols said of the unique hobby. Over the…
