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Block by block: Prototype builds startup’s housing vision where everyone can afford their own castle
A mock home facade project on the grounds of Kansas City’s historic Workhouse Castle serves as a proof point for Godfrey Riddle’s rebooted Civic Saint — a social venture built on compressed earth blocks as its key to affordable, sustainable housing. “CEBs (compressed earth blocks) are great for Kansas City, because non-expansive sandy clay soil The post Block by block: Prototype builds startup’s housing vision where everyone can afford their own castle appeared first on Startland News.
Resource revival: Digital Inclusion Fund relaunches with initial grants focused on devices
Kansas Citians can’t upgrade skills or devices they don’t already have, said organizers of a newly relaunched Digital Inclusion Fund — emphasizing a need to attack the metro’s digital divide at the infrastructure level. The fund is set to award up to $250,000 to 501(c)(3) public charities (including schools and churches) or governmental entities across The post Resource revival: Digital Inclusion Fund relaunches with initial grants focused on devices appeared first on Startland News.
New deal with lightwell keeps WeWork in Kansas City after closing Corrigan Station space
A freshly negotiated lease agreement with the developer behind the lightwell building in downtown Kansas City means WeWork will continue its two-floor coworking and flexible office space operation in the heart of the city’s central business district. WeWork has officially completed its lease rationalization with the assumption of its lightwell location contract, the company said The post New deal with lightwell keeps WeWork in Kansas City after closing Corrigan Station space appeared first on Startland News.
Meet the founder distilling greatness (and fusion flavors) into Kansas’ first Black-owned vodka brand
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 — Greatness isn’t given; it’s earned, said Troy Brooks. But it comes one step at a time, and not without its challenges, he said. The entrepreneur behind Kansas’ first Black-owned The post Meet the founder distilling greatness (and fusion flavors) into Kansas’ first Black-owned vodka brand appeared first on Startland News.
Startup gives fans real ownership in emerging athletes; investing in talent before they make it big
Just as investors can put their money in Google or Apple, Parker Graham wants sports enthusiasts to invest in the next Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce, he shared. Along with co-founder and fellow Oklahoma State football alum Yves Batoba, the Kansas City-based serial entrepreneur, Pipeline fellow, and founder of Finotta has now launched Vestible — The post Startup gives fans real ownership in emerging athletes; investing in talent before they make it big appeared first on Startland News.
Startup Crawl returns June 14; here’s where you’ll discover dozens of innovators shaping a new KC
Sneakers and sunscreen are recommended as Startup Crawl makes its way back to the Kansas City Power & Light District this summer. The annual gathering of startups will return the evening of June 14 to three locations across the entertainment district, Startland News announced this week. Organizers expect to reveal the band lineups for two The post Startup Crawl returns June 14; here’s where you’ll discover dozens of innovators shaping a new KC appeared first on Startland News.
This talent agent built her KC roster by focusing on athletes’ off-the-field lives; now recent Chiefs’ trades are taking her to new markets
Knowing the whole athlete — not just who they are on the field — is a key strategy within the Gold Griff Athlete Agency playbook, shared Amanda Carlo. Carlo launched her own talent management agency and brand builder in 2022 after more than a decade of experience in marketing and professional sports, including five years The post This talent agent built her KC roster by focusing on athletes’ off-the-field lives; now recent Chiefs’ trades are taking her to new markets appeared first on Startland News.
Tesseract Ventures developing SWARM drone technology for US Special Operations Forces
A just-announced contract with the U.S. military will fund the development of an Overland Park company’s next-generation warfare drone, said founder and robotics technologist John Boucard. The SWARM (Special Warfighter Assistive Robotic Machine) is set to revolutionize military operations by offering a new, much-needed capability: a highly versatile nano drone equipped with smart payload and The post Tesseract Ventures developing SWARM drone technology for US Special Operations Forces appeared first on Startland News.
One last push: Doula bootcamp founder wins PHKC’s $10K pitch after setting due date for success
James Hogue gave himself a deadline: score a big win for his fledgling nonprofit by May 1 or pursue another career. On April 30, he earned the validation he needed — winning The Porter House KC’s Pitch Night and a $10,000 cash prize. “Today’s the day right before May, and so the opportunity for us The post One last push: Doula bootcamp founder wins PHKC’s $10K pitch after setting due date for success appeared first on Startland News.
St. Joseph entrepreneur innovates to grow her dry-cleaning business in a struggling industry
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. ST. JOSEPH, Missouri — With only about half as The post St. Joseph entrepreneur innovates to grow her dry-cleaning business in a struggling industry appeared first on Startland News.
How SCORE helped an entrepreneur’s late-night eureka moment turn into a thriving skewer business
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. ST. LOUIS — Shirley Washington’s middle-of-the-night inspiration — mixed The post How SCORE helped an entrepreneur’s late-night eureka moment turn into a thriving skewer business appeared first on Startland News.
Bardavon’s latest funding round gets a KC boost, supports Recovery+ new product rollout
A transformative product release from one of Kansas City’s leading healthtech companies coincides with a meaningful funding round — marking a new chapter in workers’ compensation, as well as for Bardavon’s recently announced new CEO, the company said. Financial details of the round — led by WestCap and NewRoad Capital Partners, with participation from KCRise Fund The post Bardavon’s latest funding round gets a KC boost, supports Recovery+ new product rollout appeared first on Startland News.
Kauffman Foundation revises funding priorities to three key areas, sharing first public details of its new strategic focus
A refreshed vision for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation aims to make Kansas City a national model for equitable economic mobility, dismantling systemic barriers and setting generations of historically under-resourced communities on the path to prosperity, according to just-released details from the influential organization. Updates to the Kauffman Foundation’s strategy come after the summer 2023 The post Kauffman Foundation revises funding priorities to three key areas, sharing first public details of its new strategic focus appeared first on Startland News.
MTC hits $50M investment milestone through its state-sponsored venture capital program
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — A Show-Me State program launched a decade ago to drive economic development in Missouri and support tech founders has surpassed $50 million in equity-based investments for nearly 160 Missouri-based technology startups. The Missouri Technology Corporation announced the milestone Tuesday, lauding its Innovation, Development, and Entrepreneurial Advancement (IDEA) Fund for impact that The post MTC hits $50M investment milestone through its state-sponsored venture capital program appeared first on Startland News.
Closing the funding and resource gap for women-owned businesses
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Latasha Randle is a Strategy & Small Business Program Manager at Block Advisors by H&R Block, which was founded in Kansas City and boasts its headquarters in downtown KC. Small businesses are the foundation of a flourishing economy. Every business, big or small, The post Closing the funding and resource gap for women-owned businesses appeared first on Startland News.
How Independence’s new speakeasy vibes tie into the ‘goats and rabbits’ of Kansas City’s past
Revitalization efforts needn’t overwrite history, said Bree and Travis Gensler, whose new venture in downtown Independence aims to infuse spirits of 2024 into the historic square without losing memories of the area’s storied past. Their latest pour: The Sentinel Room. Four years ago, the couple purchased a building on Lexington Avenue that contains three commercial The post How Independence’s new speakeasy vibes tie into the ‘goats and rabbits’ of Kansas City’s past appeared first on Startland News.
Gains you can see: StratFit’s new gym in Waldo reps digital fitness platform’s heavy lifting
With his NYC-inspired training studio in Waldo opening earlier this spring, Daniel McKee wants to keep busy professionals motivated to stick to their fitness goals — and use the space to refine and advance adoption of his tech platform. “Everyone that comes to the door is very impressed with the place, we tried to make The post Gains you can see: StratFit’s new gym in Waldo reps digital fitness platform’s heavy lifting appeared first on Startland News.
Former college startup founders reunite for brunch concept: Why they jumped at this franchise twist
WICHITA, Kansas — Jacob O’Connor and Jon Peterson — two former Wichita State students turned entrepreneurs — are teaming up once again, this time for brunch, they shared. The high school friends and co-founders of 618 Ventures and Player Card are partnering with a mentor to bring the upscale, Orlando-based brunch concept Another Broken Egg The post Former college startup founders reunite for brunch concept: Why they jumped at this franchise twist appeared first on Startland News.
Meet LaunchKC’s latest crew of social changemakers; cohort excited for connectivity
Seven Kansas City social ventures are expected to get a boost from LaunchKC’s latest cohort — with entrepreneurs already eager for the human support and resources offered by the popular venture studio program. “I’ve had an opportunity to interact with some of the previous participants and mentors, so I know the value of an organization like The post Meet LaunchKC’s latest crew of social changemakers; cohort excited for connectivity appeared first on Startland News.
Transportant’s newest partnership gets KC startup’s smart dashboard onto more school buses
Buses equipped with advanced technology from Transportant are expected to enhance safety for students and drivers — as well as peace of mind for parents and school administrators — thanks to a new multistate partnership. RWC Group, a commercial truck and bus dealership that serves five states, on Wednesday announced a new collaboration with Lenexa-based Transportant The post Transportant’s newest partnership gets KC startup’s smart dashboard onto more school buses appeared first on Startland News.
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