Discover the stories shaping the future of Kansas City.
From emerging startups to the people making headlines, catch up on the latest in entrepreneurship and innovation across Greater Kansas City.
Homeowners need a handbook for maintenance, founders say; their app puts to-do’s in the past
Tanuj and Rupal Gupta are taking what they know about preventative care from their medical backgrounds and applying it to homeownership, the husband-and-wife duo shared.
Speed pitch event accelerates founder funding IQ; venture capital isn’t always the right move, investors say
During the event, more than a dozen entrepreneurs rotated through small pods of investors for eight-minute conversations: one minute for the founder to lay out the company and opportunity and seven minutes for investor questions, feedback, and discussion.
How are founders building faster with less? MidxMidwest match-making earns credit alongside AI
When Scott Coons scaled his company into a $650 million global business with more than 3,000 employees worldwide, the Perceptive Software founder felt like he had to do it alone, Coons told a crowd Thursday at MidxMidwest.
Rock Island Bridge adding OneKC Roof branding as eco devo leaders celebrate 50 years of wins
A high-profile addition to one of Kansas City’s most popular new destinations is more than a marker of KCADC’s half-century anniversary, David Campbell said; the OneKC branding atop Rock Island Bridge showcases shared identity, economic strength and regional partnerships.
Rebecca Gubbels promoted to top ECJC exec role after years shaping efforts to boost entrepreneurs
A longtime entrepreneurship and banking advisor is advancing to the top leadership position at the Enterprise Center in Johnson County, succeeding Jeff Shackelford, who will retire as president and CEO by the end of the year.
Full Scale built growth, loyalty around cheaper overseas tech talent; Go inside its offshoring experiment
Full Scale developers earn unusually high incomes relative to the Philippine economy, founder Matt Watson said, creating opportunities that would otherwise be difficult for many workers there to access. That’s a convenient trade for an American CEO whose business benefits from the gap between overseas and US employees.
French company bringing 100 jobs to KC for sustainable autotech facility in Riverside
A new Kansas City-area operation is expected to grow OPmobility’s North American manufacturing footprint while strengthening its ability to serve customers across the Midwest and broader U.S. market, regional and company leaders said Tuesday.
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.
‘Bubbles and Goo’ adds inclusive play to one of KC’s busiest districts
A newly mixed River Market business opens the doors to a bubbly (and delightfully slimy) space where children of all abilities can play, explore, and make a joyful mess together, said Antoinette Redmond, offering families a gathering space during the FIFA World Cup in Kansas City.
Kansas City’s Black-owned businesses court World Cup visitors with a new shopping guide
The hope is that the World Cup, predicted to bring in more prospective shoppers than Kansas City has ever seen at once, jumpstarts long-term growth.