Latest Stories

PHKC planning to open its retail incubator in mid-May; here’s a first look inside the east side space

A new space for entrepreneurs to test-run their retail businesses is envisioned as a 12- to 16-month stepping stone to their own permanent storefronts or locations, said Dan Smith, and the resource could be open as soon as this spring. “We’re preparing entrepreneurs to open their own brick and mortars on the east side,” said…

Chingu founders, Mean Mule partner for KC’s first soju — a Korean nod to vodka, distilled with culture

Serial foodpreneurs Keeyoung Kim and David Son are launching the Midwest’s first locally distilled premium soju — a pays homage to the traditions of soju, but embraces a new era of cocktail culture. Through a partnership with Mean Mule Distilling Co., the first release of Chingu Soju will be just 15-20 cases of the product. …

Company capitalization: The most overlooked definition in your SAFE 

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Gabriel Riekhof is an attorney at Husch Blackwell, a leading law firm that provides unparalleled service and industry-specific solutions to clients nationwide. Introduced by Y Combinator in 2013 as an alternative to traditional convertible notes, a “Simple Agreement for Future Equity” or “SAFE”…

Serial entrepreneur: Why are many small businesses against the new Royals stadium?

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Tyler Enders is co-founder of Made in KC, a brick-and-mortar and online retailer of locally made goods with locations downtown, on the Country Club Plaza, Lenexa, Lee’s Summit, and across the metro.  Getting the disclaimers out of the way first:  Small businesses aren’t…

WeCode KC, high school partner to launch cybersecurity program for students 

A new program from an expanding Kansas City nonprofit plans to expose high school students to job readiness and life skills that prepare them for careers in cybersecurity, right out of high school.  WeCode KC, which promotes tech education and creating sustainable career pathways, recently announced a partnership with KIPP Legacy High School to introduce…

WeWork closing Corrigan Station, once a core hub for Kansas City’s startup community

Coworking giant WeWork on Thursday confirmed the planned closure of its Corrigan Station location in Kansas City — a space once closely intertwined with the local startup scene and its flourishing culture of innovation. “As part of WeWork’s strategic restructuring efforts, we have made the difficult decision to end our operations at Corrigan Station,” a…

Starting a business in KCMO is too expensive, study says; here’s how the city can cut those costs

Entrepreneurs in Kansas City, Missouri, face a higher cost of entry to the world of small business than their peers in St. Louis — or even just across the state line in Kansas City, Kansas, said Jennifer McDonald. “We look at things like how expensive it is to start a business, how complicated it is,…

Royals’ pitch for a Crossroads ballpark isn’t the first; what struck out KC’s plans for a domed downtown stadium 60 years ago?

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. On June 27, 1967, Jackson County voters approved a $102 million general obligation bond…

Scoring Google’s $1B data center feels like Super Bowl overtime as KC keeps notching wins, officials say

Kansas City is hitting it out of the ballpark, said Mike Parson, returning from the governor’s office to the region Wednesday for yet another major economic development announcement — this time, a billion-dollar Google data center coming in 2025. “Maybe I should say, ‘You’re hitting it out of the ballpark and scoring touchdowns,” Parson, R-Missouri, told…

Google’s billion-dollar announcement comes with $100K for NKC schools; Here’s how they’ll use it

A $1 billion Google data center will begin impacting Kansas City before the tech giant officially opens its new facility in 2025, company and local officials said Wednesday, announcing a $100,000 investment to support North Kansas City schools. “This partnership is more than just about technology, It’s about empowerment,” said Dr. Rochel Daniels, school district…