Latest Stories
KC-infused Rally Gin pours capital investment into plans for expanding the brand south
A liquor brand distilled from the vision of three Kansas City natives is expanding to Texas after landing national exposure and a key investment meant to elevate minority-owned spirit and beverage companies. Tim McCoy, co-founder of Rally Gin, shared his excitement and the impact of capital investment firm Pronghorn’s backing. “Pronghorn is just awesome. Their…
Union Station tapped for GEWKC base camp; training for treps arrives Nov. 19-21 in KC
When GEWKC pulls into Kansas City this fall, the metro’s largest educational entrepreneurship event will be stationed within one of the community’s crown jewels — a link to the past that points to a brighter future for the regions’ innovators, said Chante Keller. KCSourceLink on Thursday formally announced Union Station as the 2024 base camp…
NXTSTAGE announces trio of KC ventures tapped for latest Enterprise Engagement cohort
A record number of Kansas entrepreneurs joining the NXTSTAGE Enterprise Engagement Series means the program’s latest cohort will scale up its impact, said Amber Dunn. “It’s exciting to witness the relationships formed and the knowledge gained among cohort members and our enterprise partners, both new and returning,” said Dunn, program manager at Wichita-based NXTUS, which…
This startup leader is revealing entrepreneur answers (and they’re listed in the table of contents)
Aligning the stars as a forward-looking founder and business owner isn’t easy, Maria Flynn noted, so she wrote her own guidebook. “Entrepreneurs are my tribe of people,” said Flynn, a serial founder and regional digital health leader. “And I was telling the same stories over and over again, so I started to write them down….
He earned industry cred alongside Ariana Grande; now Jo Blaq wants to share the music with emerging KC artists
Joseph Macklin forged a successful music career through trial and error, he said, but that doesn’t mean the next generation should be forced to endure those same challenges just to feel like they earned credibility. The multi-platinum, Grammy award-nominated music producer, songwriter, engineer, and vocal arranger — known as Jo Blaq — is on a…
Nation’s best dog bar planning new tricks in KC after fetching top award, summer funding round
The dog days of summer are bringing momentum to Bar K, said David Hensley. The Kansas City-based escape space for pets and their owners was recently named top dog in the country by USA Today, just closed a funding round, and added several key team members — including Tim Schoenfelder as CEO — the co-founder…
Let’s eat out: KCMO wants more outdoor dining; new grants program pays for restaurant upgrades
Outdoor dining’s economic impact outlasted the pandemic, said Mayor Quinton Lucas. A new push to boost KCMO businesses — with the backing of city tourism dollars — is expected to help local restaurants, coffee shops, and bars embrace the opportunity, he said. His goal: Make outdoor dining spaces even more attractive to visitors and hometown…
Resilience pays off as retail incubator opens doors; Meet the first featured founders at PHKC
Launching a retail incubator in Midtown Kansas City — a physical space targeted for overlooked and under-resourced entrepreneurs — The Porter House KC faced many of the same challenges as emerging small businesses, said Miranda Schultz, but ultimately the effort made it to opening day. “It’s been nice to go through our own trial and…
Pitch prize puts founders closer to building their utopia; How KCMO is backing entrepreneurs who do the right thing
Hearing the personal reasons behind judges’ support for her business at the “Do The Right Thing” social impact pitch competition provides much-needed validation for Utopia Point, said Shereese Hameed-Muhammad. The business — launched by Patricia McCreary and Hameed-Muhammad to redesign the geriatric and disabled care community in Kansas City and beyond — was the overwhelming favorite…
Lawmakers announce $500K federal grant for KC BioHub, tout region’s job creation, innovation
Kansas City’s “top-notch” research capabilities and talented workforce prove the region is ready to lead the country in innovation, said Sharice Davids, revealing news that the local Tech Hubs initiative would receive another $500,000 in federal funding. The award for the Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (KC BioHub) comes less than a…
