Taylor Wilmore

The event on Wed., May 27, 2026, highlighted partnerships and new plans designed to provide support for small businesses not only during the World Cup, but into the future.

Tuesday’s evening pitch event showcased founders working across healthcare, consumer products, community development and other sectors, while underscoring the relationships built throughout the program.

A giant, brightlly-colored tapestry designed to represent all of the countries in the World Cup is hanging in KC House, located in the former Forever 21 building on the Country Club Plaza. The space is intended for international executives, civic leaders and World Cup visitors.

Kansas City should be a hotbed for talent and startups, said Usman Wajid, lamenting a trend where entrepreneurs allow themselves to be penned in by a mentality that they’re overlooked locally and need…

Aton Health is gearing up for its next phase of growth after closing a Series A investment, said founder Tom Sanders, positioning the Kansas City healthcare company to expand its research platform into new medical specialties and markets.

When it came time for Flare Tha Rebel to write his latest album, the project became something of a love letter to Kansas City, the hip-hop artist said, noting too often his homebase is mistakenly viewed as a flyover region instead of the destination.

After opening this spring, the Rock Island Bridge development over the Kansas River welcomed scores of soccer fans for World Cup watch parties. The team is planning to host more festivals, public art, expanded historical programming and new retail opportunities.

“I love the culture and the sense of community in Germany: Beer gardens where neighbors meet, bring their families. A nice casual environment where everybody from all walks of life, ages, economic strata can come and enjoy a good meal and a cold beer,” said founder Steve Holle.

Serial entrepreneur Brian Roberts is back in the building where he began his brick-and-mortar journey, opening an aperitivo and cocktail bar — Social House — just a few yards away from the original Black Pantry retail space in Midtown’s Tower East neighborhood.

SAUCED. relocated across the street from its previous location in Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District, after serving customers at the FIFA Fan Festival over the summer.