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Why this KC social entrepreneur pivoted from drilling wells with Matt Damon to tapping micro-loans for water projects
Identifying unmet needs is just as critical for social entrepreneurs as their counterparts at more traditional for-profit ventures, said Gary White, explaining how Water.org needed to find its missing piece to truly tap the non-profit’s potential. “Go after those unique insights at the intersection of a great social gain and a market,” said White, offering The post Why this KC social entrepreneur pivoted from drilling wells with Matt Damon to tapping micro-loans for water projects appeared first on Startland News.
US company lands on the moon: Here’s how a KC firm helped boost its flames of innovation
For the first time ever, a commercial spacecraft has touched down on the moon and Kansas City-based Burns & McDonnell provided innovation that helped to make it possible for Intuitive Machines and its Odysseus IM-1 lander, shared Brittney Swartz. The local engineering, construction and architecture firm served as the designer and builder of Intuitive Machines’ The post US company lands on the moon: Here’s how a KC firm helped boost its flames of innovation appeared first on Startland News.
Fan footprint goes red: KC-built tech estimates crowd size at Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade
EB Systems is quickly becoming a go-to tool for tracking crowds, shared Jonathan Ruiz, with the Kansas City startup’s technology most recently estimating nearly 1 million people gathered for the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade. Beacons placed by EB Systems indicated a crowd of about 924,435 attended the sprawling Feb. 14 parade and rally at The post Fan footprint goes red: KC-built tech estimates crowd size at Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade appeared first on Startland News.
Why developers say folding Plexpod Westport site into Park 39 unifies $230M project
A move this week to transition management of the Plexpod Westport space to the developers behind a massive project along 39th Street will mean reuniting elements within the broader Park 39 campus, said Andrew Brain. “By unifying our actions on both sides of the street, we’re able to act as a whole instead of as The post Why developers say folding Plexpod Westport site into Park 39 unifies $230M project appeared first on Startland News.
KC’s cheesemakers Green Dirt Farm opening new space in embattled Crossroads
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. Green Dirt Farm is opening a new restaurant next month that will bring its sheep’s milk cheeses to the Crossroads — The post KC’s cheesemakers Green Dirt Farm opening new space in embattled Crossroads appeared first on Startland News.
Plexpod Westport closing Feb. 29; offices to remain but under new management, branding
The spacious classrooms-turned-offices retrofitted for large startup teams at a site once billed as the world’s largest coworking space never regained their pre-pandemic demand, said Gerald Smith, confirming the sudden closing of a Plexpod location that for years epitomized Kansas City innovation culture. “We so wanted Plexpod Westport to be the center of the universe The post Plexpod Westport closing Feb. 29; offices to remain but under new management, branding appeared first on Startland News.
Kansas City lands new HQ for Eastern Airlines; company invests $4.7M in site near airport
A cargo/charter airline’s move to consolidate its operations into a new Kansas City headquarters is expected to create 165 full-time jobs, company officials said Wednesday, announcing another win for the region connected to its investment in a new airport terminal. “Kansas City and its airport have a great legacy in our industry,” said Stephen Buscher, The post Kansas City lands new HQ for Eastern Airlines; company invests $4.7M in site near airport appeared first on Startland News.
KC Chamber adds honor for artists, creatives to its awards lineup; emphasizing arts’ impact on economy, culture
A new award planned for the KC Chamber’s Small Business Celebration in June is expected to honor an entrepreneur who has put their artistic talent to work as a small business, said Vicky Kulikov. The first-time Luminary Arts and Creative Small Business Award is set to be announced alongside four other high-profile specialty small business The post KC Chamber adds honor for artists, creatives to its awards lineup; emphasizing arts’ impact on economy, culture appeared first on Startland News.
Launching a business? Balance your passion with relentless planning, wealth advisor urges
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Patrick Cohen is senior vice president, financial advisor with The Ferguson Smith Cohen Group at Morgan Stanley in Kansas City. The day is here. You have decided to start a company and it is time to put in the work to initiate lift-off. The post Launching a business? Balance your passion with relentless planning, wealth advisor urges appeared first on Startland News.
$60M investment for Urban Outfitters’ clothing rental sister brand expected to create 750 KC jobs
RAYMORE, Missouri — The opening of a 600,000-square-foot fulfillment center for Nuuly, a women’s clothing rental brand, is an exciting moment for the region, said Chris Gutierrez, buoyed by company officials’ plans to create 750 new jobs over the next five years. A press conference Tuesday celebrated the second local facility for URBN, which in The post $60M investment for Urban Outfitters’ clothing rental sister brand expected to create 750 KC jobs appeared first on Startland News.
KC gets its first pro pickleball team; Why a staunch tennis purist put down his racket for a paddle
Pickleball has given former professional tennis player Daryl Wyatt a new lease on life, he shared, and now he’s hoping to ace Kansas City’s serve into next-level pickleball. The Kansas City Stingers — one of six U.S. expansion teams — is joining the National Pickleball League in 2024, under the ownership group of partners Julie The post KC gets its first pro pickleball team; Why a staunch tennis purist put down his racket for a paddle appeared first on Startland News.
Free office space at nbkc bank awaits one Kansas City area small business
Editor’s note: The following is sponsored by nbkc bank, which has locations in Leawood and Overland Kark in Kansas, and Liberty and Kansas City in Missouri. Many small businesses struggle to find ample attractive office space at a low cost. Thanks to nbkc bank, one business will secure such space at the best rate possible The post Free office space at nbkc bank awaits one Kansas City area small business appeared first on Startland News.
Chicken N Pickle serves a no-tech, backyard vibe; Here’s why it’s paying off with Texas, national expansion
North Kansas City-founded Chicken N Pickle now has 10 locations — with six more in the works — but the award-winning entertainment destination remains committed to fostering human connection through simple spaces where everyone can play, said Kelli Alldredge. And disconnect. “We don’t have computers on the property. You don’t order from an iPad,” said The post Chicken N Pickle serves a no-tech, backyard vibe; Here’s why it’s paying off with Texas, national expansion appeared first on Startland News.
University launching effort for Native small biz, focused on ‘Indianpreneurship,’ resilience
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. LAWRENCE, Kansas — A Kansas university is looking forward to developing indigenous and minority entrepreneurs through a new program funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Haskell Indian Nations University The post University launching effort for Native small biz, focused on ‘Indianpreneurship,’ resilience appeared first on Startland News.
Shop Local KC leader says she won’t live in fear after parade shooting marks third encounter with gun violence
For the third time in two years, Katie Mabry van Dieren and her small businesses have been impacted by gun violence, she shared, and now the advocate for local makers is calling for gun reform. “It’s unimaginable,” Mabry van Dieren, owner of Shop Local KC and founder of Strawberry Swing, said in the wake of The post Shop Local KC leader says she won’t live in fear after parade shooting marks third encounter with gun violence appeared first on Startland News.
Cornstalks to cardboard: This KS company is turning farmers’ trash into sustainable fiber packaging
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. WILLIAMSBURG, Kansas — One small town just south of I-35 in Franklin County — population 390 — soon will become home to a new world headquarters, said Mark Majors. Williamsburg’s The post Cornstalks to cardboard: This KS company is turning farmers’ trash into sustainable fiber packaging appeared first on Startland News.
Vine Street Brewing drafts ‘Afrodisiac’ Ale: A tribute to love, Black culture
A cross-Kansas City collaboration crafted specifically for the month of February could become a staple at Vine Street Brewing if customers fall in love with the blend as much as its brewers hope. Kansas City’s first Black-owned brewery — in partnership with André’s Chocolates and The Black Pantry — unveiled ‘Afrodisiac’ last week, offering a The post Vine Street Brewing drafts ‘Afrodisiac’ Ale: A tribute to love, Black culture appeared first on Startland News.
Fans packed Chiefs rally, one didn’t come home; citywide trauma from shooting won’t heal quickly, grief expert says
Trauma and grief come in waves, said Mindy Corporon, foreshadowing a long road ahead for those impacted — directly and indirectly — by Wednesday’s shooting near the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally. Like many across the region, Corporon, co-founder of the Merriam-based nonprofit SevenDays foundation, was watching the Chiefs parade on TV when The post Fans packed Chiefs rally, one didn’t come home; citywide trauma from shooting won’t heal quickly, grief expert says appeared first on Startland News.
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