Startups Stories

Adrienne Haynes, SEED Law

Opening KC to black entrepreneurs begins with teaching startup lingo, tearing down walls

Most entrepreneurs operate within silos, said Adrienne Haynes, noting that black-run startups face particular — though not insurmountable — challenges becoming embedded in the Kansas City startup scene. Seemingly approachable community events and coworking spaces aren’t always as open as organizers think, added Quest Moffat, founder of Project United Knowledge, joining Haynes and Donald Hawkins,…

Ann O’Meara, Fantastic 55, seniorpreneurs

‘Don’t shut yourself off’: Seniorpreneurs reveal power in age, experience, savings

Figure out what you love to do and monetize it, Ann O’Meara told a room of entrepreneurs looking for advice on starting their second act after retirement. Seniorpreneurs — entrepreneurs over the age of 50 — are working to turn their lifelong hobbies into cash flow, O’Meara, CEO of Fantastic 55, revealed during a Global…

Matthew Condon, Bardavon, Clete Brewer, NewRoad Capital Partners, and Paul Morris, Bardavon

Bardavon bid to revolutionize workers’ compensation just got a $15 million boost

Timing is everything, said Matt Condon, announcing this week $15 million in new financing to help scale his Overland Park-based company’s reach into markets from coast to coast. “Our national expansion is coming at a time when employers across the country are recognizing that they must play a lead role in the transformation of health…

Godfrey Riddle and Jennifer Lapka, Rightfully Sewn, AltCap winner

AltCap winner launching its first Rightfully Sewn-label little black dress at TEDxKC Women

Winning $10,000 in this week’s AltCap Your Biz Competition will help Rightfully Sewn expand, Jennifer Lapka said — a move coming on the heels of the social endeavor releasing the first dress under its own label to support the Crossroads-based seamstress training program. “It’s a stylish, well-made LBD (little black dress) that women can wear…

TechWalk

On the TechWalk runway: This is what real KC Women in Tech look like   

Tech careers are available to everyone, said Ventura Rangel. Kansas City Women in Technology, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the number of women in technology careers, played host to its second annual TechWalk fashion show, showcasing female tech professionals on the runway, said Rangel, event director for KCWiT. The goal is to inspire young girls…