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KCRise Fund closes $34M Fund III with ‘hyper-local’ focus; Here are its first four investments
A third venture capital fund — expected to invest $34 million in 20 more tech startups across the Kansas City region — builds on KCRise Fund’s thesis that high-growth local companies are the key to investor success, said Ed Frindt. It’s a competitive advantage that swells with each wave of funding, he added, announcing the…
These makers and vendors aren’t buying the scarcity mindset: ‘There’s a way for us all to eat’
A new vendor fair aims to unite people from all corners of the city and promote collaboration among the local vendor community, said entrepreneur and event organizer Dontavious Young. “I see a lot of events in Kansas City that are geared toward a specific type of crowd, or a specific type of culture, or a…
$16M round for health tech startup growing AI agents to perform administrative tasks
A Seattle company with a talent hub in Kansas City announced Wednesday a $16 million seed round that includes investment from KCRise Fund and a promise to leverage conversational artificial intelligence alongside human talent to boost workplace productivity. Outbound AI emerged from stealth mode in 2022 to a market hungry for solutions, said Stead Burwell,…
United Way’s $2M Kauffman-backed Catalyst Fund just picked its first 22 nonprofit grantees
Leaders and organizations who are directly connected and engaged with their communities — especially communities of color — are essential to building a vibrant and inclusive Kansas City, said Gloria Jackson-Leathers, announcing a slew of grant winners from the new $2 million Nonprofit Catalyst Fund. “We are excited to see these grants begin to benefit small…
Deep tech is the indie rock of innovation: How a summer festival’s return puts it back on stage
After a successful debut in 2022, Kansas City’s Innovation Festival is returning in August with more beats, beer, and biologics, shared Sonia Hall, teasing the addition of burgeoning businesses and a berry. To industry insiders, the event — planned for Aug. 3-5 at Crown Center — is a deep tech conference (with the addition of…
World Refugee Day draws diverse mix of Kansas Citians, businesses
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. The Kansas City Public Library’s Northeast Branch parking lot was full of lively music and friendly…
JuneteenthKC, Black businesses bake celebration of culture into holiday at 18th & Vine
Thousands descended on the 18th and Vine Jazz District Saturday for the 12th annual JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival, a celebration of the Juneteenth holiday that greeted attendees with vendor tents, food and drink and musical performances. Makeda Peterson, program director for JuneteenthKC, described the weekend event as a celebration of the struggle for liberation and an…
Pipeline gala salutes ‘thriving, ever-evolving’ Midwest startup scene boosted by its fellows
The 2023 edition of the Pipeline Entrepreneurs Annual Innovation Gala honored a slate of innovators and inspirational forces from across the region, hailing the growth of entrepreneurship in the heartland — and a handful of top award winners. Melissa Vincent, executive director of Pipeline Entrepreneurs, credited the fellows with fostering a now-thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in…
Esports league brings new Midwest Fest event to KC, launching new Army National Guard partnership
Gamers and esports enthusiasts around the Midwest are invited to congregate, connect and create at the first annual Midwest Fest. Midwest Fest, organized by the Kansas City Pioneers and LEVELUP Arena, is a gaming and streaming convention featuring multi-title gaming tournaments for amateurs, opportunities to meet with popular creators, workshops and giveaways. The event is…
J Rieger wants to be a ‘showpiece for Kansas City’ as distiller takes its whiskey international
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. On the heels of expanding its distribution into several European countries in 2022, J. Rieger & Co. on Wednesday earned the 2023 Weida Award for International Small…
