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Crossroads collaboration brings booch on tap, kegs, mocktails to MO’s (new) biggest kombucha taproom
Brewer’s Alley in the East Crossroads is getting a new kind of taproom, Kortney Lee and Lisa Bledsoe shared. In a freshly bottled collaboration, Tea-Biotics Kombucha opened Missouri’s largest kombucha taproom Friday in the former home of Community Groceries Crossroads Market. “Beer is brewed; Kombucha is brewed, as well,” said Lee, who owns Community Groceries The post Crossroads collaboration brings booch on tap, kegs, mocktails to MO’s (new) biggest kombucha taproom appeared first on Startland News.
Crowdfunding platform for small businesses launches local hub for KC entrepreneurs
Editor’s note: KC BizCare is a partner of Startland News. A newly announced partnership with the international non-profit Kiva is expected to boost Kansas City entrepreneurs who have had difficulties securing traditional bank loans — offering access to social underwriting and affordable starting capital. Kiva Kansas City (Kiva KC), a crowdfunded microloan program for small businesses, The post Crowdfunding platform for small businesses launches local hub for KC entrepreneurs appeared first on Startland News.
Digital Sandbox KC secures $450K to support startups’ prototyping, proof-of-concept needs
As Digital Sandbox KC marks its 10th year in 2024, the popular funding program — and a key marker of emerging success for young tech startups in Kansas City — has earned a new round of financial backing from the State of Missouri. Spread over three years, a $450,000 MOBEC (Missouri Building Entrepreneurial Capacity) project grant The post Digital Sandbox KC secures $450K to support startups’ prototyping, proof-of-concept needs appeared first on Startland News.
Mayor: ‘KC is on fire’ (and the city needs to keep turning up the heat); Lucas urges investment ahead of World Cup, major events
Kansas City, Missouri, is its strongest fiscal position ever, said Mayor Quinton Lucas, emphasizing the city’s potential to capitalize on that economic stability — coupled with headline-grabbing national attention thanks to the Chiefs — to tackle a range of concerns facing entrepreneurs and workers. Opportunities for investment, growth, redevelopment and crime prevention for small businesses are The post Mayor: ‘KC is on fire’ (and the city needs to keep turning up the heat); Lucas urges investment ahead of World Cup, major events appeared first on Startland News.
Looking for the right exit? Driven founders first must know their startup’s destination
Setting an exit goal early is crucial when founding a startup, shared Robert Zhou, a Kansas City serial entrepreneur-turned-angel investor. “Every startup I mentor, I ask the founder this from Day 1: ‘What’s your goal?’” he explained. “‘Are you trying to build a business that you ultimately sell for $10 million? Is it $1 million? The post Looking for the right exit? Driven founders first must know their startup’s destination appeared first on Startland News.
MTC grant puts ‘cherry on top’ for KC startup closing its seed round; two more local companies earn MO funding
A trio of Kansas City tech startups are among seven Missouri companies splitting $2.2 million in equity-based investments from the State of Missouri — a funding milestone that not only reflects momentum, but amplifies it, one grant-winning founder said. The Missouri Technology Corporation on Tuesday announced the awards from its IDEA Fund, with investments slated for The post MTC grant puts ‘cherry on top’ for KC startup closing its seed round; two more local companies earn MO funding appeared first on Startland News.
Digital Health KC awarded $311K grant with goal to add 70+ jobs, $6M+ in wages across region
Newly announced funding from the Missouri Technology Corporation is expected to boost a regional initiative that aims to open greater access to critical capital and partnerships for Kansas City area companies in a rapidly emerging industry. BioNexus KC — a catalyst for innovation in animal and human health — has received a $311,000 MOBEC (Missouri The post Digital Health KC awarded $311K grant with goal to add 70+ jobs, $6M+ in wages across region appeared first on Startland News.
This retro arcade and restaurant is revitalizing downtown with more than just flavors of nostalgia
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. TOPEKA — In the capital city of Todd Renner’s youth, he could ride his skateboard through downtown and not be bothered by anyone if he picked the right time of The post This retro arcade and restaurant is revitalizing downtown with more than just flavors of nostalgia appeared first on Startland News.
The Loop KC deepens leadership bench as it expands Millennials professional network to new cities
With a transition in leadership in the mix, a still-budding network for young professional in Kansas City — and beyond — is just getting started tapping into its potential, The Loop KC’s founder said. “Nothing is really by young people, for young people. Networking groups can be exclusive or cost too much for some people The post The Loop KC deepens leadership bench as it expands Millennials professional network to new cities appeared first on Startland News.
Relationship banking in the digital age: Why businesses should demand a trusted human (backed by tech)
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Brian Hoffart, a business banking manager and vice president at nbkc bank, is an experienced Kansas City banker who’s fostered B2B relationships nation-wide for the past 20-years. The term “relationship banking” has been a core concept of our business for decades. Fundamentally, it The post Relationship banking in the digital age: Why businesses should demand a trusted human (backed by tech) appeared first on Startland News.
ULAH merging stores, moving women’s brand into seamless, new one-stop shop experience
Fans of LUNA by ULAH — a retail shop featuring an on-trend mix of ready-to-wear women’s apparel, accessories, gifts and home accents — will soon find the brand’s curated offerings two doors down in the Woodside Village live/work center on Rainbow Boulevard. The store is in the final planning stages of relocating to a space The post ULAH merging stores, moving women’s brand into seamless, new one-stop shop experience appeared first on Startland News.
‘We’re all in it together’: Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop wraps family flavors with team work ethic
A staple of Kansas City’s emerging food scene for 27 years, Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop’s growth and popularity wouldn’t have been possible without Malisa Monyakula’s team, the chef and owner said. “I’ve had amazing people working with me since the beginning; people continue to gravitate toward helping me with my vision,” said Monyakula from the The post ‘We’re all in it together’: Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop wraps family flavors with team work ethic appeared first on Startland News.
No easy snapback: Why this former Chief is helping military veterans get on horseback
Kendall Gammon doesn’t know what it’s like to adjust to life after the military, he shared, but the former Kansas City Chiefs long snapper is familiar with losing a sense of identity and community upon leaving the NFL after 15 years. “I always talked about the fact that it was the best temporary job I’d The post No easy snapback: Why this former Chief is helping military veterans get on horseback appeared first on Startland News.
Honeywell investing $84M in Olathe aviation innovation, adding 150+ jobs, ‘dream careers’ for young workers
As Kansas works to reframe perceptions of the region around its health innovation and biologics industries, corporate and government officials on Friday announced a win for another innovation-driver and “compelling megatrend” for the Sunflower State: the future of aviation. Honeywell Aerospace Technologies plans to invest $84 million to expand its Olathe manufacturing facility, the company The post Honeywell investing $84M in Olathe aviation innovation, adding 150+ jobs, ‘dream careers’ for young workers appeared first on Startland News.
Pipeline’s new cohorts show ‘power of diversity’; here’s who’s joining the elite entrepreneur network
Pipeline’s roster of high-growth Midwest entrepreneurs swelled Thursday as the premier fellowship network officially announced more than two dozen founders joining its 2024 Fellowship and Pathfinder Program. “The selected Fellows and Pathfinders represent the power and impact of diverse companies, leaders and regions being represented in a cohort,” said Vincent, executive director of Pipeline Entrepreneurs. The post Pipeline’s new cohorts show ‘power of diversity’; here’s who’s joining the elite entrepreneur network appeared first on Startland News.
Legislation to support Native American entrepreneurs could boost grants to tribes, Hawaiian natives
A bipartisan effort to strengthen and expand government-backed opportunities for Native American entrepreneurs got a boost this week, with legislation championed by a Kansas lawmaker advancing in the U.S. House. The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act — introduced by U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, and Eli Crane, R-Arizona — moved out of committee Wednesday, according The post Legislation to support Native American entrepreneurs could boost grants to tribes, Hawaiian natives appeared first on Startland News.
How this KC-designed (and 3D-printed) stadium torch will light the Chiefs’ way to Super Bowl LVIII
Nearly four years after it was unveiled in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, the Al Davis Memorial Torch will serve as a beacon of light — and hometown spirit — for a Kansas City Chiefs team set to take on their 2020 Super Bowl rivals. Designed and developed by Kansas City-based Dimensional Innovations, the 93-foot stadium torch The post How this KC-designed (and 3D-printed) stadium torch will light the Chiefs’ way to Super Bowl LVIII appeared first on Startland News.
KC startup pairs with blockchain platform to build trust, value in premium beef genetics
A newly announced strategic collaboration is expected to help Lenexa-based Vytelle promote the value of feeder cattle, while simultaneously bringing more transparency to a critical market segment within the beef industry. The initiative between Vytelle and BlockTrust Network — an API-driven platform that leverages blockchain technology to enhance trust within the beef supply chain — The post KC startup pairs with blockchain platform to build trust, value in premium beef genetics appeared first on Startland News.
New capital programs for KC small businesses unveiled, starting with micro-biz grants
Editor’s note: Kansas City’s KC BizCare Office and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation are financial supporters or partners of Startland News. A new collaborative effort aims to boost Kansas City’s small business and startup ecosystems by building greater capital readiness among entrepreneurs and increasing access to starting capital, said Tracey Lewis. The Economic Development Corporation The post New capital programs for KC small businesses unveiled, starting with micro-biz grants appeared first on Startland News.
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