Welcome to Startland News
May 2, 2015 | Bobby Burch
Those often were the words attributed to the Kansas City Royals as the team unexpectedly surged into the 2014 World Series and captured the national spotlight.
Those very words are apt for this city, which has been built on the grit and determination of successful entrepreneurs like Ewing Kauffman, Joyce Hall, Henry Bloch and many others.
This city’s unassuming innovators toil to transform lives, their city and the world. The area’s entrepreneurial spirit is stronger than ever, but for too long its stories have gone untold.
It’s time to change that. And that’s why Startland News exists.
Consider Startland News the binding agent of the city’s innovators, creators and disruptors. As a unifying force, we’ll strive to further fuel the area’s entrepreneurial community and those supporting it by sharing compelling information aimed at helping you, your organization, and your city grow.
We love Kansas City – our hometown – and we want to see it prosper. We plan to support that goal by:
- Serving as the hometown team dedicated to telling your stories.
- Highlighting startups, entrepreneurs and innovators of all sorts that are making an impact on the area economy.
- Shedding light on issues that affect area entrepreneurs and their ability to grow.
- Sharing experts’ strategies to maximize entrepreneurs’ potential, as well as address challenges.
- Engaging those with a peripheral interest in the area’s entrepreneurial resurgence with deeper insights on their neighbors, and provide inroads to connect with them.
As with any new venture, we cannot do this alone. And given Kansas City’s conspicuously collaborative spirit, we’re certain we won’t have to. We’ve already felt your support and enthusiasm. Thank you for that.
Please, share with us your story. Send us your ideas. Tell us what stories you like, dislike, and what you need and want to read.
Let’s do this!

2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
With KC expansion set, EquipmentShare raises $28.4M
A firm that’s planning to open a Kansas City tech office snagged millions in equity financing for its platform touted as the “Airbnb for construction equipment.” Based in Columbia, Mo., EquipmentShare raised about $28.4 in a Series B round that will accelerate its expansion to major metros around the nation, according to a filing with…
New FCC chairman Ajit Pai is familiar with KC startup community
A native Kansan that recently visited with the area’s entrepreneurial community will now head the Federal Communications Commission. President Donald Trump selected Ajit Pai, the senior Republican on the FCC to lead the commission, which regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. “I am deeply grateful to the President of…
Need for speed: Mozilla awards $101K to local gigabit projects
The Mozilla Gigabit Community Fund announced it will award a total of $101,000 to fund six local projects that use gigabit technology to impact learning. The Gigabit Community Fund is a national partnership between the National Science Foundation, US Ignite and Mozilla. Locally, the fund partners with KC Digital Drive, whose goal is to leverage…
Firebrand Ventures joins $6.85M round in Des Moines startup
Continuing a streak of investments, Kansas City-based Firebrand Ventures joined a sizable investment in an Iowa-based payments processing startup. Firebrand joined six other venture funds in a $6.85 million funding round in Des Moines-based Dwolla, which builds applications that facilitate bank transfers, manages customers and verifies bank accounts. The round was led by Union Square…

