Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Nate Morsches, CEO and co-founder, Restaurant, Pub & Games (RPG)

Pitch Perfect expands bootcamp to a dozen startups: Meet the capital-raising cohort

Going virtual because of COVID-19 concerns might limit in-person interactions during the Pitch Perfect bootcamp, said Kathryn Golden, but it allows the seventh cohort to double its size and potential impact on growing startups. “We finally came to accept that moving ahead online — while not ideal — was important,” said Golden, director of entrepreneur…

Andy Stoll, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 2020 ESHIP Summit

ESHIP Summit: Data shows urgent question — Who isn’t starting a business?

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Inclusion is about fulfilling untapped potential, said Sameeksha Desai, detailing nationwide equity gaps in entrepreneurial ecosystem building. “A lot of the reason that we ended up in this situation is because…

Kathryn Golden, Pitch Perfect, Enterprise Center in Johnson County

Pitching your startup to investors is about more than selling an idea, says Pitch Perfect leader

Perfecting a startup pitch depends on a founder’s ability to move beyond mere product knowledge and talk the investors’ language, said Kathryn Golden. “The reality is investors aren’t buying your product; they’re not customers,” explained Golden, programs director at the Enterprise Center in Johnson County. “Investors are looking at the company and asking, ‘Is this…

Isaac Hodges, president at Messenger Coffee Company

‘Role models’ for KC: Chamber reveals 10 finalists for Small Business of the Year award

Ten Kansas City companies — including a handful of up-and-coming startups and popular food and beverage hotspots — are vying for the Chamber’s top honor: the coveted Mr. K award. “Today’s the day!” said Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, announcing the top 10 small business of the…

$100K in microgrants awarded across 23 struggling, but resilient minority businesses

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. A COVID-era resiliency fund that quickly closed applications after receiving a deluge of response from entrepreneurs in need has awarded microgrants to 23 minority businesses on both sides of the state…