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17-year-old social entrepreneur among finalists tapped for healthtech pilot competition
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 — A Kansas teenager’s telemedicine nonprofit was selected as one of nine finalists for a local health tech startup competition — the only Sunflower State venture chosen for the The post 17-year-old social entrepreneur among finalists tapped for healthtech pilot competition appeared first on Startland News.
Home-delivered juice maker nibbles its way into sparkling water market with expansion
Zen Donkey Farms — known for its raw, organic, cold-pressed juices available through home delivery — is expanding while continuing its mission of rescuing donkeys and bringing donkey-facilitated wellness programs to Kansas City, said co-founder Kate Barker. The purpose-driven wellness business — which also offers plant-based mylks, hemp protein superfoods, CBD skin care products, and The post Home-delivered juice maker nibbles its way into sparkling water market with expansion appeared first on Startland News.
This KC investor’s narrow (but global) focus: Technical founders who want to change the world
When launching an investment firm, venture capitalists must consider what distinguishes them from other firms and gives them a competitive edge, said Taylor Clauson. “In my case, I would say that having such a narrow thesis is a tremendous luxury,” said Clauson, who founded Abstraction Capital in 2020. “I’m a specialist fund, and founders like The post This KC investor’s narrow (but global) focus: Technical founders who want to change the world appeared first on Startland News.
KC ranks No. 11 among Midwest startup cities, holding its spot thanks to funding wins amid VC slowdown
A healthy dose of recent funding events kept Kansas City in the No. 11 spot in the 2023 edition of M25’s annual ranking of Midwest startup cities, said Victor Gutwein, founder and managing partner at M25. The comprehensive report explores how metropolitan areas across the Midwest are performing relative to each other based on startup The post KC ranks No. 11 among Midwest startup cities, holding its spot thanks to funding wins amid VC slowdown appeared first on Startland News.
LaunchKC grants competition eyes startups hoping to scale in KC; Applications now open
When LaunchKC’s next round of grant recipients are announced this fall during Global Entrepreneurship Week, winning startups will receive game-changing exposure in addition to the $50,000 in prize money, said Jon Ruiz. His venture, EB Systems, was among six winners in 2022 when the popular grants competition was rebooted by LaunchKC after a four-year hiatus The post LaunchKC grants competition eyes startups hoping to scale in KC; Applications now open appeared first on Startland News.
Trio of Kansas City startups among Missouri’s latest equity investments; $2.4M awarded in July
Three high-profile tech startups in Kansas City each earned a portion of the $2.4 million awarded in July by the Missouri Technology Corporation, the agency announced this week “We are thrilled to announce another set of awards to support the high-tech, high-growth startups committed to growing in Missouri,” said Jack Scatizzi, executive director of MTC. The post Trio of Kansas City startups among Missouri’s latest equity investments; $2.4M awarded in July appeared first on Startland News.
Startup’s next chapter writes itself: AI-generated bedtime story platform launches with language-building upgrades
With an emphasis on diversity and creativity, JQ Sirls’ AI-powered story generator is set to redefine children’s literature while uniting generations, he said. “I’m really trying to create these magical bonding moments between adults and children. When adults use this technology to create their own story, it makes them feel like a kid again. Then The post Startup’s next chapter writes itself: AI-generated bedtime story platform launches with language-building upgrades appeared first on Startland News.
Their designs are so unique they’re one-of-one; ‘slow fashion’ duo turns thrift store finds into runway-worthy fits
A Kansas City couple’s upcycled fashion brand is making waves, as thousands of social media followers — and some high-profile names — have taken note of the company’s repurposed “one-of-one” clothing pieces. The passion project of co-founders Jared Armstrong and Caylin Willis, Yvonne and Mitchel takes clothing materials from thrift stores and reimagines them into The post Their designs are so unique they’re one-of-one; ‘slow fashion’ duo turns thrift store finds into runway-worthy fits appeared first on Startland News.
Island vibes getaway: ‘Lei Away’ festival to showcase tropical flavors in landlocked KC
Kansas Citians won’t have to leave the city to enjoy a tropical escape during Labor Day weekend. The freshly announced Lei Away festival is expected to bring the spirit of the islands to the plains. “We are highlighting all the wonderful things that are tropical-centric in Kansas City, which is ironic because it’s so landlocked,” The post Island vibes getaway: ‘Lei Away’ festival to showcase tropical flavors in landlocked KC appeared first on Startland News.
Sandlot Goods takes a swing at a brick and mortar; new JoCo storefront expected to be a home run with brand’s fans
Sandlot Goods — Kansas City’s only local hat manufacturer — is hoping to score big with its first, dedicated, standalone retail space. The new location at Park Place in Leawood — 11530 Ash Street — is slated for a soft opening Aug. 15 and a grand opening Sept. 16, shared Garret Prather, Sandlot vice president The post Sandlot Goods takes a swing at a brick and mortar; new JoCo storefront expected to be a home run with brand’s fans appeared first on Startland News.
‘Oppenheimer’ actor says new Missouri tax incentives could bring investors, more film productions to KC
David Dastmalchian’s screenplays for movies set in Kansas City now have a realistic chance to be filmed in and around his hometown, said the acclaimed actor, writer, and producer who grew up in Overland Park. Recently-signed legislation paves the way for increased film production in Missouri by reauthorizing — and strengthening — tax credit incentives The post ‘Oppenheimer’ actor says new Missouri tax incentives could bring investors, more film productions to KC appeared first on Startland News.
‘Every movie is a startup’: State tax credits expected to bring film industry, jobs back to Missouri
Recently-signed legislation paves the way for increased film production in Missouri by reauthorizing — and strengthening — tax credit incentives that expired a decade ago. The Show MO Act — signed last month by Gov. Mike Parson, R-Missouri — will allow Missouri to compete with other states to secure more film locations, thereby strengthening the The post ‘Every movie is a startup’: State tax credits expected to bring film industry, jobs back to Missouri appeared first on Startland News.
She witnessed short-staffed hospitals as a COVID patient; How her ‘Airbnb for health care workers’ could save lives like hers
After her own hospitalization with COVID-19, Shapree’ Marshall set out to make sure local hospitals have adequate staffing to care for the community, she shared. In February 2022, Marshall — now a 2023 Pipeline Pathfinder cohort member — founded A Traveled Path Homes, which she describes as Airbnb for the medical industry. She plans to The post She witnessed short-staffed hospitals as a COVID patient; How her ‘Airbnb for health care workers’ could save lives like hers appeared first on Startland News.
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