Latest Stories

Digital health startup aims to save medical providers time while bringing down cost of AI tech

CarePilot is on a mission to bring AI and automation to smaller medical clinics that don’t always have access to cutting-edge technology, shared founder and CEO Joseph Tutera. The Overland Park-based startup’s ambient AI technology — designed to help those smaller practices operate more efficiently — captures patient-provider interactions in real time, automating administrative tasks…

Street art to stage: KC fashion designer styles iconic Jim Crow-era musical comedy without missing a beat

Designing for theater gives Whitney Manney the opportunity to be as big and loud as she wants, the street bespoke creator said. A new musical production of “Hairspray” puts Manney’s bold aesthetic through a new lens — and alongside a timely story of acceptance, diversity, and the power of music. “There is no such thing…

‘People pay for value’: How a young mom’s plan to hold passion tight drives her baby apparel side hustle

Coming from a family of business owners, Riley Rhoads knew she wanted to pursue entrepreneurship: starting her own business — but with a goal to help others, the founder of Hold Tight Baby said. “When I hear people talk about, ‘Oh, I want to be an entrepreneur; I want to start and own my own…

Four ways to help employees build wealth and loyalty

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. The following is a paid thought leadership piece from The Plaza Group at Morgan Stanley. Your employees want to build their wealth and be better employees. Here’s how your equity program  can help them get there.  Every organization wants to find the right…

New in KC: Ops leader joins KCSourceLink to strengthen network’s collective impact for entrepreneurs

A newly created director of operations role at KCSourceLink is expected to boost efforts to connect entrepreneurs and small businesses with hundreds of resources for growing and scaling their ventures in Kansas City, as well as across the state through MOSourceLink. Dena Thomas Aouassou, a veteran of nonprofit entrepreneurship support and workforce training, recently relocated…

Cultura con carácter: How JEFES inks DINKC’s hometown team with drops of KC Latino hustle

Laedan “DINKC” Galicia draws a fine line between his creative mediums: skin, pen, fabric, and paint — now from a artists hub in Kansas City’s Columbus Park neighborhood. From his signature tattoo style to his JEFES clothing line, DINKC’s bold perspective is leaving a mark on Kansas City culture (and the Super Bowl). “With JEFES, I…

BKS Artisan Ales plans Crossroads nanobrewery, tapping additional location closer to KC’s hub of activity

BKS Artisan Ales — dubbed a “little beer heaven” by industry insiders — is bringing its award-winning operation to the Crossroads, adding a second, smaller brewery location near what founders Brian and Mary Rooney see as a downtown tourism market that also is easily accessible to some of their business’ biggest local fans. The space…

Pipeline doubles-down on diverse voices: Meet its new class of Pathfinder entrepreneurs

Programs built to support emerging founders who are primed to break through — despite entering entrepreneurship from a different starting point — have never been more needed, said Melissa Vincent, announcing the newest class of Pipeline Pathfinders. “In today’s climate, programs like Pathfinder are not just valuable — they’re essential,” said Vincent, CEO of Pipeline…

Pipeline adds top founders to its network: Meet 14 fellows tasked with building the Midwest together 

The newest class of Pipeline fellows embodies the elite Midwest network’s founder-first focus on industry-agnostic collaboration and support, said Melissa Vincent, noting the power of tapping barrier-breaking perspectives to solve problems and build world-class companies side by side. “We have an incredible depth of entrepreneurs who are all focused on building high-growth, scalable businesses, but…

State of the City: Combating crime among most urgent issues amid uncertain times, mayor says

Kansas City’s future hinges on smart investments in public safety, small businesses, and infrastructure, Mayor Quinton Lucas said Thursday in his annual State of the City address.  Speaking directly to city leaders and residents, Lucas painted a picture of a community on the rise — but facing pressing challenges that require bold action. “As cities…