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Coming soon: New Plexpod River Market space will be a welcome sign to KC entrepreneurs
Plexpod is continuing its ride north along Kansas City’s streetcar line — announcing today a new co-working and office space on Delaware Street in the River Market. “River Market is like any other district in the metro,” said Gerald Smith, Plexpod founder and CEO. “Entrepreneurs are everywhere and access to affordable flexible office space is…
Designed by a language of love, ‘my clothing is my ministry,’ says Esmeralda Lole
Kyrie Eleison Couture creates custom pieces that incorporate the customer’s cultural influences, said Esmeralda Lole. Lole works closely with individual customers and draws colors from flags and patterns from their countries of origin, she said. “Everyone has a different love language and my love language is acts of service. So for me, to be able…
KCultivator Q&A: Bo Nelson percolates on positive energy in his Crossroads coffee shop
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by WeWork Corrigan Station, a modern twist on Kansas City office space.Holding a red, Thou Mayest-branded mug, Bo Nelson credited the success of his 18th Street coffee shop to family talent,…
Scoops and fruit loops: Quirky collaboration melds Crumble candles, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream
Brandon Love hungered for a Kansas City brand as unconventional as his own high-growth aroma confectionery, Crumble Co. He found his match at Betty Rae’s. “I started trying to pick apart [potential partners] to see who would be the best fit,” said Love, Crumble Co.’s founder and “head fruit loop in charge.” “Our way’s really…
Bridge Space opens doors to creativity, collaboration in Lee’s Summit (Photos)
Set against the historic backdrop of the former Lee’s Summit post office, the past and present intentionally collide to create Bridge Space — a 13,000-square-foot coworking space that elevates entrepreneurs in the city’s bustling downtown business district, said Ben Rao. “I’m in the hospitality business. It’s about this experience that people have. We’re not just…
Fountain City FinTech first cohort named; could draw coastal, international companies to KC
A half-dozen companies from outside Kansas City earned spots among the first cohort of Fountain City FinTech, said Zach Pettet, hopeful the metro could attract the firms to stay or build long-term partnerships. “There’s a good chance that a number of firms will be putting down roots and creating jobs in Kansas City. We don’t…
Big Data Summit returning to Techweek KC; organizer lauds refreshed content for 2018
Enhanced leadership, along with the Big Data Summit Track, is bringing the “tech” back to Techweek KC, said Don Peterson. The Big Data Summit, Kansas City’s annual convergence of data, technology and analytics, founded by Peterson and the KC Big Data Group in 2012, had stopped working with Techweek KC after the 2016 event, he…
Digital Sandbox KC mixes in Carroll’s Irish Bitters, TravelHive, iSocial and Grant Company
After more than five years, Digital Sandbox KC’s proof-of-concept program continues to see a high volume of quality applicants with a wide range of concepts, said Jeff Shackelford. Four startups receiving project funding from Digital Sandbox KC were announced Thursday. Two of those awards are in partnership with Innovation Stockyard in St. Joseph, said Shackelford,…
Fresh funding brings Flow Forward to $8M in capital; pushes startup closer to first human clinical trials
An additional $1.2 million in Series A financing puts Fairway-based medical technology company Flow Forward closer to human clinical trials for hemodialysis patients, said Dr. Nicholas Franano. The new investment — from a group of investors, including Mid-America Angels — brings Flow Forward’s total funding raised to date to more than $8 million, said Franano,…
Freelance Exchange plans expo for gig-economy creators, panel on hiring solopreneurs
An expo this week in Johnson County will put the work of freelance creators on display, as well as offer insight into the minds of Kansas City solopreneurs, said Cami Travis-Groves. The FX Portfolio Showcase — set for 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center — is expected to…
