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Lawmakers want to divest TikTok from Chinese influence, not kill the popular app, says Davids
A nationwide ban on TikTok, a video sharing app popular with young people and an increasing number of brands, is edging closer with legislation to curb the China-linked platform passing Wednesday in the U.S. House. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, was among lawmakers supporting the move, voting “yes” on the bill and urging ByteDance, TikTok’s The post Lawmakers want to divest TikTok from Chinese influence, not kill the popular app, says Davids appeared first on Startland News.
InvestMidwest releases startup lineup for April conference; KC companies set to pitch
Eight Kansas City startups are among 40 companies selected to pitch in April at InvestMidwest — reflecting not only a diversity of founder representation, but a wide range of agriculture, health, and digital technology innovations from across the Midwest, said Claire Kinlaw. “The caliber of talent and innovation among the chosen companies is truly remarkable, and The post InvestMidwest releases startup lineup for April conference; KC companies set to pitch appeared first on Startland News.
Royals ballpark plan gains support among longtime Crossroads advocates, though questions linger
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. The Kansas City Royals’ controversial Crossroads ballpark plan has qualified support from some longtime The post Royals ballpark plan gains support among longtime Crossroads advocates, though questions linger appeared first on Startland News.
Quick studies: These Kansans just left their college careers for $500K (and a crash course in startups)
When a friend encouraged Aditya Joshi and Varun Verma to apply for the Y Combinator accelerator program, the Wichita natives didn’t expect to land an interview, they shared — much less get accepted. “Truly, all we had was this idea and a couple of months under our belt of just talking to different folks,” Joshi The post Quick studies: These Kansans just left their college careers for $500K (and a crash course in startups) appeared first on Startland News.
Siblings spin family pet into family business, capitalizing on alpaca’s plush potential
One Wyandotte County family’s trip to a local fair inspired their interest in alpacas, but it wasn’t until they brought one of the animals home as a pet that they realized the business opportunities they’d unleashed. “That’s where the idea started of — ‘Hey, we can actually make this an Alpaca clothing company and reduce The post Siblings spin family pet into family business, capitalizing on alpaca’s plush potential appeared first on Startland News.
Black Drip releases canned cold brew as KC coffee maker leans into creative blends
A new cold brew version from Charon Thompson’s popular Kansas City coffee brand drips with strength, the co-founder said, teasing its arrival on the market just as the metro begins to heat up for the spring. “I can’t sell hot coffee when it’s like 92 degrees,” said Thompson, recalling an experience during a Black Drip The post Black Drip releases canned cold brew as KC coffee maker leans into creative blends appeared first on Startland News.
GOP lawmaker from Missouri takes over chair of Small Business Caucus in DC
Entrepreneurship and small businesses are the lifeblood of America, said Mark Alford, pledging to use his new leadership role within the Small Business Caucus to help fellow congressmen workshop and pursue policies that will “ensure the safety and prosperity of Main Street America.” U.S. Rep. Alford, R-Missouri, publicly took over the co-chair role of the The post GOP lawmaker from Missouri takes over chair of Small Business Caucus in DC appeared first on Startland News.
KC is creating jobs like never before; here’s what’s behind the surge (hint: it’s small biz hiring)
Editor’s note: KCSourceLink and MOSourceLink are non-financial, community partners of Startland News. The latest ‘We Create Jobs’ report highlights the continued economic impact of KC’s small businesses and tech startups Kansas City startups created more than 19,700 jobs in 2022, yet again creating more jobs than in any of the previous five years. Additionally, as The post KC is creating jobs like never before; here’s what’s behind the surge (hint: it’s small biz hiring) appeared first on Startland News.
Food fit: Kansas City health startup attains Endeavor Heartland greenlight at first KC selection panel
Moving forward in the process to become an Endeavor Entrepreneur builds on 18 months of momentum for the newly branded Attane Health, said founder Emily Brown. Her Kansas City-based, food- and nutrition-focused startup moved one step closer to the Endeavor designation — a move that ultimately would elevate Attane Health on a global scale — The post Food fit: Kansas City health startup attains Endeavor Heartland greenlight at first KC selection panel appeared first on Startland News.
Waldo Thai owner serves first chef collaboration for Kemper Museum’s Artist Dinner Series
The first in a series of three dinner events at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is set to feature James Beard semifinalist Pam Liberda, head chef and owner of Waldo Thai — creating a one-of-a-kind dining experiences blending together the creative worlds of food and art. “Kemper Museum has always cultivated connections between contemporary artists The post Waldo Thai owner serves first chef collaboration for Kemper Museum’s Artist Dinner Series appeared first on Startland News.
No ribbon cutting when a business closes, Plowboys founder says: Know how to start (and stop) on your own terms
A year and a half after Todd Johns closed his restaurants to focus instead on Plowboys-branded retail products, Johns would rather leave a legacy that’s felt within the Kansas City barbecue community than be known as a legend, he shared. “I’d rather know that I helped someone here,” the president of Plowboys Foods told attendees The post No ribbon cutting when a business closes, Plowboys founder says: Know how to start (and stop) on your own terms appeared first on Startland News.
KU Innovation Park names new CEO as business incubator ramps up regional eco devo efforts
LAWRENCE — A longtime financial executive at the KU Innovation Park who successfully led funding efforts for the nonprofit economic development organization’s sprawling campus has been officially named its CEO. Adam Courtney most recently served as CFO for the Lawrence-based KU Innovation Park before being named interim CEO in September 2023 after the passing of the The post KU Innovation Park names new CEO as business incubator ramps up regional eco devo efforts appeared first on Startland News.
Book lovers can finally go down The Rabbit Hole at a new North KC children’s literature museum
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. The new museum in North Kansas City’s Iron District is dedicated to immersing kids and their parents in the world of The post Book lovers can finally go down The Rabbit Hole at a new North KC children’s literature museum appeared first on Startland News.
How the Kauffman Foundation is tripling down on its KC-focused strategy with trio of high-profile hires
Three new executives are joining the leadership team at one of Kansas City’s most-impactful foundations — a move meant to deepen connections to the city and drive a renewed approach to its mission of economic stability, mobility and prosperity for all. The trio — two Kansas City natives who became experts in their fields and a The post How the Kauffman Foundation is tripling down on its KC-focused strategy with trio of high-profile hires appeared first on Startland News.
Food bank leases Lawrence restaurant to provide fresh eats for Kansans in need
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. Lawrence, Kansas — Nearly a year after the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ended The post Food bank leases Lawrence restaurant to provide fresh eats for Kansans in need appeared first on Startland News.
A Topeka program pays cash to new residents; Now it’s focusing on Latino immigrants
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Interest in Choose Topeka’s relocation incentive has spiked among first-generation Latino immigrants; Program officials say the city’s established Spanish-speaking community is The post A Topeka program pays cash to new residents; Now it’s focusing on Latino immigrants appeared first on Startland News.
Economists: Tax dollars don’t make a stadium possible; they fund a gold-plated vision for major league sports
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Kansas City Beacon, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story from The Kansas City Beacon, an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism The post Economists: Tax dollars don’t make a stadium possible; they fund a gold-plated vision for major league sports appeared first on Startland News.
Deep fake election ahead: Prepare for AI-generated misinformation arms race, warn KC experts
With the deployment of AI-generated content rapidly advancing just as the U.S. hurtles toward one of the most divisive election seasons in its history, developer Michelle Frost offered two words of advice: buckle in. “It’s gonna be a shit show of a year as an election cycle,” the Johns Hopkins artificial intelligence grad student told The post Deep fake election ahead: Prepare for AI-generated misinformation arms race, warn KC experts appeared first on Startland News.
Tomorrow is today: Internship intros students to a world where they’re already the social changemakers
Editor’s note: Startland Education is a sister program of Startland News within the broader nonprofit organization Startland. Angela Gonzalez-Casas emphasized the value of exposure and network building as the Van Horn High School freshman reflected Tuesday on the impact of her just-wrapped Social Change Internship and the opportunity to engage with audiences she’d never before The post Tomorrow is today: Internship intros students to a world where they’re already the social changemakers appeared first on Startland News.
These brothers SMOAK’d gameday concepts at Kauffman, Arrowhead; now their craft BBQ, burritos are delivering downtown
A popup business that launched stadium-based concepts alongside two of Kansas City’s biggest sports teams will now be serving its popular handcrafted barbecue and burritos from an East Crossroads-based hub for ghost kitchens. SMOAK Burritos and SMOAK To-Go — the latest ventures from brothers Cade and Seth Colson’s SMOAK Craft Barbecue+ — open today at The post These brothers SMOAK’d gameday concepts at Kauffman, Arrowhead; now their craft BBQ, burritos are delivering downtown appeared first on Startland News.
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