In the midst of Midwest Black Restaurant Week, we set out to find Missouri entrepreneurs getting involved in the second-year event.

We wound up talking with a trio of entrepreneurs participating in the event for the first time — because it's their first year in business. On the latest episode of the Speaking Startup podcast, we dig into three Black restaurateurs' reasons for starting food-service businesses during a time that's been particularly tough on the industry.

Plus, we hear from Elango Thevar, the founder of St. Louis-based startup Neer. His company is trying to help small and midsize communities solve issues with their water infrastructure using artificial intelligence.