Latest Stories
Small Biz to Watch: E-Z Pedicabs expands routes with KC, World Cup visitors along for the ride
With an influx of visitors tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a wave of downtown development reshaping how residents navigate the city, a young Kansas City pedicab company sees opportunity in the lane ahead.
Small Biz to Watch: Yates & Yates builds from dirt through a sale (with stability, not just dollars in mind)
Watching Kansas City become more than its past is exciting, Nicole Yates said. Participating in that growth is even better, the co-founder of Yates & Yates Co. continued. “There is so much investment,” she explained. “And there are so many people that are really trying to build something that matters, and I’m just grateful that…
Small Biz to Watch: Safi Fresh gives resurgent 18th & Vine a new flavor
As new businesses open and foot traffic returns to the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, LaRonda Lanear wants Safi Fresh to be part of what comes next for a neighborhood that has long-awaited revitalization.
Small Biz to Watch: SewKC patches together custom path to growth, sports collaborations
Behind the scenes at a tiki-themed coffee shop in the Crossroads, one couple is stitching together a small business strategy that combines high-profile specialty apparel projects with professional sports organizations and live sew-on-the-go activations in the community.
Healthcare tech wins hackathon focused on solutions where AI, blockchain build trust together
A nearly month-long hackathon wrapped Saturday, challenging builders within the competition to move past disposable apps and ship solutions that pair the power of AI with the data ownership, transparency, and cryptographic trust of blockchain.
Fan Fest food vendor loves the exposure (but she’s missing results); her nearby restaurant sits quiet too
The international soccer tournament has delivered an unexpected one-two punch for LuLu’s Thai Noodle Shop: disappointing sales for vendors at the official FIFA Fan Festival and slower-than-normal traffic at the brand’s Crossroads location.
This artist’s vision is larger than life; her World Cup installation was created to match
Whitney Manney’s massive KC•House installation welcomes the world to Kansas City, the fashion designer and multi-hyphenate creator said. She’s hanging on hope they arrive with curiosity and an eye for whimsy.
Patterson Fellows launches as an extension of its founder’s entrepreneurial foundation
A new fellowship for selected founders is designed to identify, support, and accelerate high-impact entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions to challenges faced in rural communities — backed by a $300,000 investment in each entrepreneur over three years by the Patterson Family Foundation.
Populous execs behind World Cup venues, Royals ballpark earn EY Entrepreneur of the Year award
Two leaders from a renowned Kansas City-based, global sports architecture firm are being lauded for their innovation, growth and an entrepreneurial vision that’s creating lasting impact within their industry and community.
Library’s small biz pitch competition returning with Kauffman backing, cash prizes
The pitch event is now accepting applications for another “Shark Tank-style” gathering. Founder Zoe Mays said the previous competition’s $5,000 grand prize was a game changer for Scream Queens, her vegan ice cream business.
