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Catalyst Fund tops $2M invested in nonprofits boosting people of color; meet the latest grantees
The latest batch of Catalyst Fund grants — a combined $500,000 across nearly two dozen organizations — seeks to elevate the work of small nonprofits that are led by or primarily serve Black, Latino, and other people of color across the region, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace. “Looking across the list of organizations in this third The post Catalyst Fund tops $2M invested in nonprofits boosting people of color; meet the latest grantees appeared first on Startland News.
‘This is where I belong’: How Startland’s newly hired skill-building, education leader plans to forge impact with empathy
Editor’s note: Startland News is a product of Startland — a 501c(3) nonprofit that fuels economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy in Kansas City through storytelling, skill-building, and connections to social capital. This piece was published independently by newsroom staff and without oversight or influence from Startland. Great outcomes require putting in the work, Christina Hocker acknowledged, The post ‘This is where I belong’: How Startland’s newly hired skill-building, education leader plans to forge impact with empathy appeared first on Startland News.
Just funded: Meet the newest Digital Sandbox KC startups (and see what they’re building now)
Digital Sandbox KC this week announced five new startups joining its program that will receive crucial support, mentorship and up to $20,000 in project funding to accelerate their innovative projects. “We are delighted to bring these cutting-edge startups into the Sandbox, connecting them with the necessary support and resources to advance their innovative projects,” said The post Just funded: Meet the newest Digital Sandbox KC startups (and see what they’re building now) appeared first on Startland News.
Matt Watson scales third startup to exit; shifting full capacity to his tech services company
At Capacity is returning to the company where it all began; the SaaS platform recently sold to CAMP Digital, co-founder and serial entrepreneur Matt Watson confirmed. Details of the sale were not disclosed, but the exit comes just 16 months after Watson and Meg Stapleton launched At Capacity. Click here to read more about the The post Matt Watson scales third startup to exit; shifting full capacity to his tech services company appeared first on Startland News.
Pulling $250K in annual sales and ready to scale? This KC cohort could take your small biz to the next level
As many as 20 local entrepreneurs and business owners could be selected for the latest game-changing program from ScaleUP! Kansas City. The key to getting in: proven revenue and a market ready for their supercharged ventures. ScaleUP! Kansas City — built within the UMKC Innovation Center — is now accepting applications for its no-cost cohort, The post Pulling $250K in annual sales and ready to scale? This KC cohort could take your small biz to the next level appeared first on Startland News.
‘It’s OK to start small’: She knew nothing about decorating cookies; a year later this baker quit her full-time job to scale up
Karissa Todd has taken a family recipe, added in a little hard work and dedication, and baked it into a thriving sugar cookie business, she shared. After launching Cookie Bliss KC out of her house in 2018, Todd opened a storefront in the Northland, 3518 Northeast Vivion Road, in November, selling her signature soft sugar The post ‘It’s OK to start small’: She knew nothing about decorating cookies; a year later this baker quit her full-time job to scale up appeared first on Startland News.
New Plaza owner shares vision for iconic district — including a return to local cuisine
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. Addressing crime, deferred maintenance noted as top priorities; new projects, tenants to follow The post New Plaza owner shares vision for iconic district — including a return to local cuisine appeared first on Startland News.
KC BioHub leaders refining plan after $75M Tech Hubs proposal fails initial test
A massive regional initiative to secure federal funds for Kansas City’s burgeoning Tech Hub failed to win approval, BioNexus KC officials announced Tuesday, with advocates lauding organizers’ efforts and pledging to continue their push. The KC BioHub was seeking funding Phase II funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Tech Hubs competition — a process The post KC BioHub leaders refining plan after $75M Tech Hubs proposal fails initial test appeared first on Startland News.
R/Farm Distilling Co. goes against the grain to create opportunity in rural MO
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. The Rosier family has farmed on the same land The post R/Farm Distilling Co. goes against the grain to create opportunity in rural MO appeared first on Startland News.
No wait time for affordability; Missouri startup transforms how Paytients pay for health care
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. Inspired by his time at Boone County Hospital in The post No wait time for affordability; Missouri startup transforms how Paytients pay for health care appeared first on Startland News.
How Disney pixie dust inspired this Geppetto to bring an iconic Star Wars character to life
A six-month celebration at Union Station that marks 100 years of Disney magic — including the forces behind more recently added brands like the Star Wars franchise — is a moving experience, noted Garner Holt. “People just love it. I’ve had kids come up and burst into tears,” said Holt, the puppetry mastermind pulling the The post How Disney pixie dust inspired this Geppetto to bring an iconic Star Wars character to life appeared first on Startland News.
Lawmaker lauds historic significance of minority chambers’ Ward Parkway collaboration, address
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. The tony address is not lost on anyone. Ward Parkway, symbolic of Kansas The post Lawmaker lauds historic significance of minority chambers’ Ward Parkway collaboration, address appeared first on Startland News.
The village is real; it’s me; it’s you: Family of support at the heart of successful women entrepreneurs
Wendy Doyle’s mother — herself an entrepreneur — instilled in her daughter a belief that women have a responsibility to boost their sisters in the world of business, the United WE leader said. “I watched her support other women owned businesses, women in need, and encourage women to run for elected office and even help The post The village is real; it’s me; it’s you: Family of support at the heart of successful women entrepreneurs appeared first on Startland News.
Love story TV: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce inspire Chiefs-themed Hallmark Christmas movie
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Savannah Hawley-Bates contributed to this story. Kansas City’s homegrown relationship between Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and superstar Taylor Swift The post Love story TV: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce inspire Chiefs-themed Hallmark Christmas movie appeared first on Startland News.
Taste tested: This entrepreneur’s proven pairing puts KC red wine chocolate on the map
Wine and chocolate: a classic pairing that compelled chemist-turned-entrepreneur Shawn Hall to concoct what he believes is the perfect combination of two beloved tastes. Cocoavino — his velvety blend of Belgian dark chocolate and a complex red wine reduction that first debuted on the market in 2021 — recently skied to the national stage at The post Taste tested: This entrepreneur’s proven pairing puts KC red wine chocolate on the map appeared first on Startland News.
Photos: Founders score electric vibes, human connections with Startup Crawl’s return
Even tech startups benefit from one-on-one conversations with peers and the public, founders said, reflecting on the connections, collisions and real-time feedback earlier this month during Startland News’ Startup Crawl in downtown Kansas City’s Power & Light District. “It was an incredible experience that allowed for free-flow conversations and engaging activities between myself and the The post Photos: Founders score electric vibes, human connections with Startup Crawl’s return appeared first on Startland News.
The journey from startup to IPO
Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. The following is a paid thought leadership piece from Chris Schumm, McQueary Schumm Munsell Group at Morgan Stanley in Leawood, Kansas. The lifecycle of a private company is evolving. Over the last two decades, the timeline for companies to seek an entry to the The post The journey from startup to IPO appeared first on Startland News.
How Kelly Clarkson’s well-timed Father’s Day gift boosted a KC entrepreneur’s nonprofit
Life’s recent whirlwind initially shocked James Hogue — the newly-minted “rad dad” who earned a shoutout (and a couple thousand dollars) on the Father’s Day edition of Kelly Clarkson’s hit daytime talk show. “My first thought was, ‘Is this really happening?’” the Kansas City dad and certified doula said. The founder of Fathers Assisting Mothers The post How Kelly Clarkson’s well-timed Father’s Day gift boosted a KC entrepreneur’s nonprofit appeared first on Startland News.
Venture Noire is ready to activate KC with focus on improving outcomes for Black entrepreneurs
Venture Noire comes to Kansas City late this month with a two-day event to help early-stage entrepreneurs plan their next moves and reintroduce the Northwest Arkansas-based nonprofit to local business owners. Planned for June 26-27 at Keystone CoLAB, the “KC’s Playbook for Entrepreneurial Excellence” event is expected to feature a boot camp with workshops on The post Venture Noire is ready to activate KC with focus on improving outcomes for Black entrepreneurs appeared first on Startland News.
Wild Way closing: Coffee camper drips bittersweet blend of emotions as owner’s cup runs dry
Nearly six years after she began serving lattes in her popular Wild Way coffee camper, Christine Clutton is saying goodbye to the business at the end of the month, she confirmed. Wild Way Coffee — featured on the Peacock series “The Simple Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” and approved by KC-raised actor Jason Sudeikis — The post Wild Way closing: Coffee camper drips bittersweet blend of emotions as owner’s cup runs dry appeared first on Startland News.
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