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Meet the winners of KC’s first grants for micro-businesses; $55K awarded to women of color
A newly launched collaboration between entrepreneur support efforts announced Thursday its first batch of grant winners — positioning four Kansas City micro-businesses for greater success amid a near-universally challenging start for the year. “The first quarter of the year is hard for most businesses, and extremely hard for small businesses. This year was no different The post Meet the winners of KC’s first grants for micro-businesses; $55K awarded to women of color appeared first on Startland News.
These ‘Urban Heroes’ are helping evolve downtown KC; here’s why they’re on the right path
In a prelude to today’s celebration of downtown Kansas City’s evolution and momentum, four “urban heroes” were honored Thursday for their passionate work to make downtown a more vibrant place to live, work, and play, organizers said. Winners of the “Urban Hero Awards” ranged from honorees on the east side to the Crossroads and the The post These ‘Urban Heroes’ are helping evolve downtown KC; here’s why they’re on the right path appeared first on Startland News.
Honey bunches of joy: How this Raytown bee farm landed its blooming business model
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the Kansas City 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. Erik and Rachael Messner’s home on an acre in south Kansas City gave The post Honey bunches of joy: How this Raytown bee farm landed its blooming business model appeared first on Startland News.
Startup Weekend winners could have a billion-dollar solution for struggling taxpayers
Organizers of Missouri Startup Weekend predicted this year’s winner could be poised to be the competition’s next billion-dollar alumni. Solvtax presented the weekend’s winning pitch: a solution for avoiding financial implications through better business and personal property tax management. The idea struck a chord with entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs in both the audience and judge’s The post Startup Weekend winners could have a billion-dollar solution for struggling taxpayers appeared first on Startland News.
KU spinout earns $180K+ in prizes at business plan competition; students going full-time with startup
LAWRENCE, Kansas — A sustainable engineering startup that emerged from the University of Kansas took fifth place in a recent business competition at Rice University in Houston, earning more than $180,000 in prizes and an opportunity to make history for the founders’ alma mater. Icorium Engineering, the first-ever team from Kansas to compete in the The post KU spinout earns $180K+ in prizes at business plan competition; students going full-time with startup appeared first on Startland News.
Tax service wins Missouri Startup Weekend as entrepreneurs embrace ‘building great stuff’
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. COLUMBIA, Missouri — St. Louis natives David Beach and Bryan Edelman won Missouri Startup The post Tax service wins Missouri Startup Weekend as entrepreneurs embrace ‘building great stuff’ appeared first on Startland News.
The value of professional advice: Benefits of having a financial advisor on your side
Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. The following is a paid thought leadership from The Plaza Group at Morgan Stanley in Leawood, Kansas. In today’s complex and volatile markets, making sound investment and financial decisions is a challenge. Investing on your own can be complicated, overwhelming and risky. In The post The value of professional advice: Benefits of having a financial advisor on your side appeared first on Startland News.
Theme park developer plans year-round getaway alongside Barbie’s lakeside beach house in KCK
Barbie’s Beach House is just the beginning. The developer behind a planned a new theme park centered around Mattel toys this week released more about its vision for Destination KCK, a year-round entertainment destination coming to Bonner Springs, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. “The development will bring a whole new set of adventures just west of The post Theme park developer plans year-round getaway alongside Barbie’s lakeside beach house in KCK appeared first on Startland News.
She refused to back down; how this gamechanger earned a spot on the field with the KC Current
As a history-making season rolls on for the Kansas City Current, a recent match proved the perfect opportunity to honor the founder and CEO of WeCode KC, said Christina Lively, detailing Tammy Buckner’s selection as the first “Gamechanger” award winner. “Tammy’s story is the perfect example of pursuing your dream and refusing to back down The post She refused to back down; how this gamechanger earned a spot on the field with the KC Current appeared first on Startland News.
KC’s year-old terminal just won four ‘Best Of’ industry awards; these businesses helped land the honors
The retail and restaurant mix featured within the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport is being lauded by industry insiders who hail the experience curated by Vantage Airport Group as one of the best of its kind in North America. In the terminal’s first year of operation, its offerings earned four honors at AXN’s The post KC’s year-old terminal just won four ‘Best Of’ industry awards; these businesses helped land the honors appeared first on Startland News.
KU Innovation Park hires former Tech Venture Studio leader to support its entrepreneurs
LAWRENCE, Kansas — An entrepreneurial support expert who made his entry into the Kansas City startup ecosystem through the UMKC Innovation Center, Chris Rehkamp is now building founder relationships at a business incubator in Kansas. KU Innovation Park today announced Rehkamp’s new role as director of business services at the nonprofit economic development organization’s sprawling The post KU Innovation Park hires former Tech Venture Studio leader to support its entrepreneurs appeared first on Startland News.
KCRise Fund-backed startup secures $20M Series C, fueling its commitment to KC
A Texas-based caregiver support platform’s latest funding round is expected accelerate the company’s growth and expand its support solutions, said CEO Michael Walsh, noting the startup continues to deepen ties to Kansas City. Cariloop today announced the close of its Series C funding round, raising $20 million. The investment was led by ABS Capital with The post KCRise Fund-backed startup secures $20M Series C, fueling its commitment to KC appeared first on Startland News.
Dude Perfect flips from YouTube to IRL with $100M investment from Kansas firm
WICHITA, Kansas — With more than 16 billion views on their YouTube channel, 60 million subscribers, and major brand deals already established, the team behind the family-friendly sports and entertainment group Dude Perfect is poised for even greater impact with fans, said Jason Illian. Highmount Capital today announced a strategic partnership with Dude Perfect — The post Dude Perfect flips from YouTube to IRL with $100M investment from Kansas firm appeared first on Startland News.
After east side restaurant closes, KC Cajun drives back to its food truck roots, cooking up a new market
Esra England is hitting the streets again, he shared. The head chef and founder of KC Cajun recently closed his fixed location on the east side, and is returning to the food truck and catering strategy that gave him his start. “It was a good learning experience,” England explained. “But with the overhead of trying The post After east side restaurant closes, KC Cajun drives back to its food truck roots, cooking up a new market appeared first on Startland News.
Bloch faculty duo earn $200K grant toward effort to disrupt social media echo chambers
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Click here to read the original story. In the digital realm where algorithms reign supreme, Alex Krause Matlack and Bryan C. Boots from the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management aim to create a tool that disrupts the social media landscape, The post Bloch faculty duo earn $200K grant toward effort to disrupt social media echo chambers appeared first on Startland News.
Some 18th & Vine leaders say losing downtown stadium could have ‘a tremendously negative impact’
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. Businesses were split on their reaction to the vote on April 2 that rejected the extension of a 3/8th-cent sales tax The post Some 18th & Vine leaders say losing downtown stadium could have ‘a tremendously negative impact’ appeared first on Startland News.
Build a bigger bandwagon for women entrepreneurs, founders say; an isolated journey is too lonely
Representation of women in entrepreneurship is critically important, Vanessa Jupe told a crowd gathered this week at Union Station, emphasizing the power of exposure and leading by example to create a stronger, more diverse ecosystem. “If we don’t start businesses, then other women aren’t going to see that as a possibility,” said the founder and The post Build a bigger bandwagon for women entrepreneurs, founders say; an isolated journey is too lonely appeared first on Startland News.
Designed with minimal parking, KC Current wants you to carpool to team’s next home match
A just-announced tech tool aims to help KC Current fans make sustainable and affordable transportation an easier choice on matchday as the hometown team continues a string of development wins at its new riverfront stadium. Current Carpool — a new feature from the free WAY TO GO trip planning and carpool matching app — connects The post Designed with minimal parking, KC Current wants you to carpool to team’s next home match appeared first on Startland News.
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