UMKC
Dart pedals more than a prototype: E-bikes as a route to equitable employment access
Free bus rides aren’t the only solution to a lack of equity in Kansas City’s transportation options, explained Thomas Murphy. “Only 18 percent of jobs here in the metro are available via 90-minute commute via public transit,” Murphy, co-founder and CEO of Dart, explained of the startup’s commitment to outfitting under-resourced pockets of the metro…
UMKC’s Enactus team just earned its best-ever finish at national entrepreneurship expo
Tenacious teams get results — especially when obstacles become motivators, said the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Enactus team, fresh off a second-place finish in the USA Enactus Exposition. “It was one of the most incredible things in the world,” said Ali Brandolino, vice president of projects and incoming president of UMKC Enactus, which focuses on…
Watch UMKC’s E-Scholars Demo Day: Scrappy founders challenged by pandemic
Entrepreneurs are needed now more than ever, said Alex Krause Matlack. “Had this year gone as normal, the E-Scholars would have held a live demo day this week for the community to showcase the hard work they put into their companies, and to give the founders access to a broader network of community members to…
UMKC contest awards $35K+ to winners, feeds student-community innovation
One startup’s winnings from Friday’s Regnier Venture Creation Challenge are expected to have a near-immediate, tangible impact on Kansas City — helping Kanbe’s Markets provide produce in one of its corner markets for an entire year. “This means that about 4,500 people will have consistent access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food on Kansas City’s…
Whiteboard2Boardroom connections advance innovation for startups like Aware Vehicles
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Sarah Mote is marketing director for UMKC Innovation Center and KCSourceLink. The right introduction, at the right time, can make a world of difference. Tech entrepreneur P.J. Piper came to Kansas City six years ago to scale another venture. What he had: entrepreneurial…
