Business owners looking to grow their companies could be the beneficiary of an elite program designed to help take businesses to the next level. The program, called ScaleUP! KC, is now accepting applications for Cohort 6. The 12 to 15 business owners who are selected will spend an intensive four months in courses and collisions that will connect them with a network of peers, resources and mentors. The activities are…

Pepper IoT has been busy. Notably, the Kansas City-based Internet of Things platform and service provider startup announced a Series B investment round of $8.5 million. It also debuted its Pepper IoT operating system—and indicated more is to come.  The funds came from Leawood Ventures, the KCRise Fund and Royal Street Ventures, who joined Pepper IoT’s current investors OpenAir Equity Partners and Comporium Communications. “Kansas City is fortunate that the Pepper team…