Kyle Smith, a current organizer of 1 Million Cups Kansas City and communications coordinator at KCSourceLink, has been selected to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Congress this April in Istanbul. As an attendee, Smith’s role is to be mentor of Startup Huddle, a new program developed by the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) that supports entrepreneurs around the world through education, engagement and networking. Smith compares it to a global version of…

Three veterans of the strategy consulting and advertising spaces have joined forces to launch BrandWell, a new business and brand consultancy that will aid clients in improving the human condition. “Our mission is to help improve brands and help improve the human condition because that’s what all three of us are passionate about,” said Brad Lang, principal. “That human condition is broadly defined but largely in the health care space.”…

LaunchKC’s 2018 Global Grants Competition opened this week. The competition, which began in 2015, is open to entrepreneurs seeking grant funding to propel their startup. Lasting for exactly 100 days, the application period will close July 11, 2018. The competition is not exclusive to Kansas City-based entrepreneurs. Offering a $100,000 grand prize grant and eight $50,000 grants, LaunchKC is looking to invest in scalable vertical sectors: advanced manufacturing animal health…

Four Missouri startups are the most recent recipients of support from Digital Sandbox KC. Associated with either the Ennovation Center in Independence or the Innovation Stockyard in St. Joseph, all four companies join the ranks of entrepreneurs who can benefit from Digital Sandbox KC’s funding. Digital Sandbox KC, a subdivision of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Innovation Center, offers startup companies funding for early-stage commercialization, resources in technology and access…

A local company is offering strategies for small businesses to intentionally create their culture. Excellerant, based in Kansas City, Mo., will offer CoreBuild Culture Lab for growth-minded companies looking to improve operational performance, build effective teams, develop leadership, increase productivity and growth, and reduce employee and customer turnover. The program follows the following track: • Pre-launch session // 9-11:30 a.m. April 20 • Month One: Define Your Core // 9…