The acquisition of a Kansas City proptech startup by one of its first — and biggest — customers offers founder David Biga the opportunity to pivot back to his entrepreneurial roadmap, he said, reflecting on next steps once Particle Space’s technology is fully integrated into its new home. “Build, give back, build, give back,” Biga The post Proptech startup Particle Space acquired by LA real estate marketing software firm appeared first on Startland News.

Untold stories of creative talent and entrepreneurial spirit are raging beneath the surface of Kansas City’s mainstream, said Bump Jonas, who finds vibrant inspiration in musicians, chefs, and small business owners angling to reach a broader audience. “I wanted to bring something unique to Kansas City, a space where artists and entrepreneurs can connect and The post Speak easy and SprinkleSumSalt: Podcaster passes the mic to KC’s underground arts scene appeared first on Startland News.

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. ST. LOUIS — It wasn’t an entrepreneurship course that The post Social studies to social venture: Missouri teen’s micro business helps students across the globe appeared first on Startland News.

A new strategic partnership between Kansas City-built C2FO and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is expected to enhance financing for local enterprises in Africa — bolstering job growth and economic prosperity in an underserved segment of the global market. “C2FO is honored and delighted to collaborate with IFC to broaden the global The post Small biz in Africa needs capital to grow; here’s how C2FO, World Bank member are bringing ‘much-needed liquidity’ appeared first on Startland News.

Working with a larger, experienced leadership team and collaborating with new specialty coffee friends throughout the FairWave coffee collective will be a total game changer for Maryland-based Ceremony Coffee Roasters, said Ronnie Haas. Ceremony on Monday announced it had joined the family of brands under FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective, which is headquartered in Kansas City The post KC-brewed FairWave chases aromas east, adding Baltimore-area roaster to its coffee collective appeared first on Startland News.

Drafted from creativity in the Crossroads, a hand-sketched character inspired by Kansas City’s rising national profile (and the familiar personalities behind it) is now finding fans on and off the field … well, lawn. “The Killa” — a football player repping No. 87 — has made the leap from team yard decorations to a starring The post Don’t sleep on Kansas City: How this Killa collab draws out KC’s ‘Little Villains’ at just the right season appeared first on Startland News.

The legacy of Walt Disney’s foundational time in Kansas City — and the structure the famed animator left behind on Troost Avenue — must be preserved frame by frame, said supporters of an ambitious redevelopment project at the former Laugh-O-gram Studios. A newly launched “Dreams Start Here” campaign aims to secure a future for the historic The post Disney preservationists launch $4M campaign, add key collaborators to save iconic animator’s KC studio appeared first on Startland News.

Kansas City-battered Chick-In Waffle is expanding into Johnson County; its owner — a son from within Jerusalem Cafe’s founding family — gives the classic American chicken-and-waffle combo a global twist with flavors like Asian chili, tikka masala, and queso After slogging away in his father’s restaurants while in school, Dennis Alazzeh swore off the industry The post His family-fried waffle spot is open for cheat day (but not breakfast); How Dennis Alazzeh played chicken with restaurant trends and won appeared first on Startland News.

A century after the storied structure’s construction, an $8.7 million redevelopment project at the Boone Theater in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine Jazz District aims to recapture the space’s potential as a cultural hub for the community — and a bridge to the city’s history. The long-awaited project at 1701 E. 18th St. is The post Theater’s $8.7M rehab set to bring Black Movie Hall of Fame, Black Rep to KC’s ‘cultural corridor’ appeared first on Startland News.

Once completed: ‘You’ll come here for a three-day weekend and not see your car until you leave on Sunday’ With its highly-anticipated opening this weekend, a sprawling new sports and recreation complex in south Johnson County is expected to soon spark fights between parents over who gets to take their kid to the weekend tournament, The post Ice rinks to skee-ball: Phase 1 of this massive sports entertainment complex opening in JoCo after 20 years in the works appeared first on Startland News.

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro.    WICHITA, Kansas — Even with a looming (and divisive) election within weeks, the impacts of severe weather becoming more clear, and an increasingly uncertain future written within online algorithms, The post Bill Nye: We’re all born scientists — most people just get distracted; here’s how the ‘Science Guy’ thinks critical thinking can make the world better appeared first on Startland News.

A fresh tranche of new markets tax credits is expected to help Crossroads-based Travois support the funding of projects in Native spaces, like school facilities and health clinics, said Phil Glynn. “New markets tax credits are an essential tool for filling funding gaps for projects in places with the greatest need,” said Glynn, president of The post Travois receives $35M in tax credits to boost economic development in Native communities appeared first on Startland News.

A new BBQ hotspot opened this week on Lackman Road, bringing a seasoned restauranteur’s latest concept — and the taste of distinctly Kansas City barbecue — back to his old grilling grounds. Sierra BBQ, a casual dining concept from chef-owner Ryan Edwards, debuted Tuesday in the former Johnson County space occupied by Edwards’ acclaimed Sierra The post Chef Ryan Edwards’ flame rises with new BBQ concept (in a familiar Lenexa space)  appeared first on Startland News.

A handful of newly announced directors at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation are expected to help drive forward the influential philanthropic organization’s updated priorities and grantmaking strategy, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, emphasizing an underlying theme for their work: prosperity for all. “These five new director positions welcome a combination of talent and commitment to our The post Here’s how Kauffman’s five just-hired directors fit into the Foundation’s new impact- and research-heavy focus  appeared first on Startland News.

A decade ago, Zik Nwanganga felt like a stranger in Kansas City, he said. Monday’s Pure Pitch Rally gave him a new perspective — surrounded by funders and startup supporters eager to boost his fledgling venture.  “I’m just in shock — overwhelmed with joy and grateful for the community coming together,” Nwanganga said after tallying The post Startup newcomer no longer the outsider after capping $30K+ Pure Pitch Rally prize haul appeared first on Startland News.

One of Kansas City’s most quietly impactful startups built its employee communications platform behind the scenes for Fortune 500 companies; now it’s scaling those proven solutions to a new market: smaller businesses that need the same worker engagement, said Jordan Warzecha. Crossroads-based backstitch — a leader in digital solutions for HR teams — on Tuesday The post Global employers use KC’s backstitch to engage and keep top talent; now smaller companies can too appeared first on Startland News.

The founding team behind DataAppraisal — a startup that earned early backing from LaunchKC and Digital Sandbox KC in 2022 — believes their shared vision with leaders at Gradient Health will help their combined company “improve healthcare AI and make an even bigger impact.” DataAppraisal, led by Tam Tran and Roger Ngo, announced its acquisition The post LaunchKC winner acquired by Gradient Health, pushing equitable AI innovations to market faster appeared first on Startland News.

Ten finalists are on track to hit the stage next month at Union Station — stepping into the spotlight to share their startup and small business visions while competing for tens of thousands in prize money. The popular AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition returns during Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City for a live pitch event at The post Next stop for 10 founder finalists: A pitch competition at Union Station worth $42K+ appeared first on Startland News.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. BARR Advisory, which has offices in Kansas City, is a cloud-based security and compliance solutions provider, specializing in cybersecurity, is a financial partner of Startland News. Click here to check out more from this Cybersecurity Month series from BARR Advisory. Achieving compliance against The post Test once, report many: Improve your security and compliance posture with less effort appeared first on Startland News.

Eight emerging tech startups are rallying for the Pure Pitch stage as one of Kansas City’s premiere pitch competitions approaches a decade of impact and innovation. “This is the ultimate affinity and legacy club that grows businesses in Kansas City,” said Karen Fenaroli, presenting sponsor and founder of the Pure Pitch Rally, which returns Monday The post Emerging at Pure Pitch Rally: These 8 young startups hope to close a critical funding gap  appeared first on Startland News.