$11M renovation in the works for historic hub of Black entrepreneurship; project ties into 18th Street pedestrian mall plans
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by AltCap, an ally to underestimated entrepreneurs that offers financing to businesses and communities that traditional lenders do not serve. For more than one hundred years, the Lincoln Building has served as a cornerstone of commerce and community in the 18th and Vine district. The historic district —…
Read MoreMTC’s spring $1.4M investment cycle loops Facility Ally, DevStride into equity deals
Two Kansas City startups are among a handful of Missouri companies receiving a collective $1.4 million in investment allocations through a state-sponsored venture capital program. Facility Ally, led by serial entrepreneur Luke Wade; and DevStride, co-founded by Phil Reynolds, Chastin Reynolds, Aaron Saloff and Kujtim Hoxha; must now complete the Missouri Technology Corporation’s due diligence process…
Read MoreKauffman CEO: Foundation’s reset aligns Mr. K’s intent with KC’s needs of the moment
A recently announced strategy refresh for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation will drive the organization’s collective impact in the community — honoring the vision of its namesake while recognizing the challenges Kansas City faces today, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace. “Mr. K had very distinct philosophies and ideas around how he wanted this work done,” explained…
Read MoreBlock by block: Prototype builds startup’s housing vision where everyone can afford their own castle
A mock home facade project on the grounds of Kansas City’s historic Workhouse Castle serves as a proof point for Godfrey Riddle’s rebooted Civic Saint — a social venture built on compressed earth blocks as its key to affordable, sustainable housing. “CEBs (compressed earth blocks) are great for Kansas City, because non-expansive sandy clay soil…
Read MoreResource revival: Digital Inclusion Fund relaunches with initial grants focused on devices
Kansas Citians can’t upgrade skills or devices they don’t already have, said organizers of a newly relaunched Digital Inclusion Fund — emphasizing a need to attack the metro’s digital divide at the infrastructure level. The fund is set to award up to $250,000 to 501(c)(3) public charities (including schools and churches) or governmental entities across…
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