Latest Stories

With Hy-vee Arena, KC Star project, southward expansion, KC Crew plans to double its players

Where KC Crew plays, growth and development follow, said founder Luke Wade. The adult sports and event company filled Kansas City’s Parade Park every night before the Urban Youth Academy broke ground on East 17th Terrace, for example, Wade said. “So it’s kind of that economic development. The same thing happened with the riverfront when…

CAPS Network

CAPS leader Corey Mohn: Remaking education starts with experiential learning

The Center for Advanced Professional Studies model was a solution to a single school district’s senioritis problem. Blue Valley Schools created CAPS and launched a small cohort of early-adopter students into this new program in 2009. Taking the chance that students would be responsible, professional and innovative when given freedom, CAPS connected students directly to…

Mycroft AI

Mycroft hopes to build community of investment backers with new online public offering

Adding to its array of successful crowdfunding efforts, Mycroft AI recently launched an online public offering that’s generating significant financial support for the startup. Thanks to 2016 changes to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s equity crowdfunding regulations, the Kansas City-based tech startup’s OPO has already amassed more than $173,000 of its $1.07 million funding goal….

Project United Knowledge

Project UK’s teen bootcamp turns problems into pitches, founders say

Giving teens the freedom to solve problems can be transformational, said Rebecca Dove. “It is believed that this generation will be more entrepreneurial-minded and want to have more freedom in their careers,” said Dove, co-founder of Project United Knowledge, which last week debuted its first Entrepreneurial Bootcamp. “So we’re just trying to rip out a…

Ruby Jean's YMCA Kitchen & Juicery

Boosted by Troost, Ruby Jean’s pressing ahead with YMCA, grocery, Atlanta deals

It’s Troost location will be a model for Ruby Jean’s expansion, said Chris Goode, but the juicery’s growth won’t be limited to standalone, brick-and-mortar sites. “Ideally, the way we truly scale is our wholesale model,” said Goode, founder of the health and fitness-focused Kansas City-born business. “I’m in talks right now, trying to get it…

Ryan Stock, MindSport

MindSport drives down the court with mindfulness and meditation app for athletes

Pressure doesn’t equal present, said Ryan Stock. Modern lifestyles that emphasize always being on-the-go only contribute to stress and anxiety, the MindSport founder added. “No matter what industry you’re in … it’s just part of Western culture,” he said. “I think it’s magnified in athletics because there’s so much pressure, because there’s so much money.”…

Edison Spaces launching second location focused on flexible offices for startups

Edison Spaces, a firm that offers flexible, private offices to entrepreneurs and small businesses, plans to open its second Johnson County location this summer. Focused on offering short-term lease options, Edison Spaces is launching its second locale in August at 7900 College Boulevard, on the corner of College and Metcalf. Owned by Kansas City entrepreneurs…

Sandy Kemper, C2FO, Innovation Exchange

Sandy Kemper at IXKC: Trust is the hack for building FinTech or any startup in KC (Photos)

Act like everyone is watching … because they are, Sandy Kemper said. “It’s something I think a lot of folks — maybe not from around here — fail to understand,” the C2FO chairman and CEO told a packed crowd Tuesday at Startland’s Innovation Exchange at nbkc bank. “You cannot get away with anything. And some…

NBKC Bank Headquarters

nbkc bank launching FinTech accelerator with at least $50K for each startup

Leveraging an area aptitude for innovation in finance, nbkc bank is launching an accelerator program for early-stage financial technology startups from across the globe. The Kansas City-based community bank has partnered with the LaunchKC grants contest to offer the Fountain City Fintech Accelerator, which will soon welcome applications for its inaugural class. The 75-day program…

Choir Bar Swell Spark

Watch: Choir Bar debuts ‘One Day’ video from its first reverse karaoke singalong event

The excitement was palpable Saturday as Choir Bar launched into song for the first time in River Market, said Matt Baysinger. Now organizers are ready to share the singalong experience with the world. “People are so dang impressive,” said Baysinger, co-founder of Swell Spark, which debuted the Choir Bar concept in hopes of it becoming…