Fund me KC: Beer Paws
October 12, 2015 | Startland News Staff
Startland News is kicking off a new segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com
Who: Crystal K. Wiebe, Founder of Beer Paws
What: Beer Paws makes craft beer treats for dogs. We partner with Midwest breweries to recycle their waste product — spent grains — into high-protein, high-fiber Beer Biscuits. We are also the Midwest’s only producers of Beer for Dogs (non-alcoholic, of course), and offer a myriad of fun accessories for two- and four-legged drinking buddies, including bottle openers for dog collars.
How much: Our goal is to raise $30,000 in 30 days. All funds will be used to expand Beer Paws’ production capacity. We have severely outgrown my home kitchen and have plans to build a more suitable facility on property that I already own.
How it’s different: We’ll be promoting the campaign heavily at the many festivals and ‘pop-up shops’ Beer Paws is attending throughout October. … At live events such as beer festivals, if people choose to donate “on the spot,” they will receive a free gift in addition to any perks that their donation qualifies them for.
Advice on crowdfunding campaigns: Gather a dedicated support team to help you out. Even if you are a one-person startup, you’ll need lots of people to get through this exciting and nerve-wracking month!

2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Exited founders: Face the tough conversations first; avoid a messy post-honeymoon breakup
Preparing for an exit begins with co-founder alignment at the startup’s launch, three veteran Kansas City founders agreed. “You are getting married to your founders,” explained Tony Caudill, who co-founded two tech startups with his best friend — including aware3, which was acquired in 2018 by Nelnet. “Just like when you find your mate of…
Hy-Vee’s small biz competition sends Midwest entrepreneurs racing for $50K checkout; Here are the winners
BaKIT Box, a Chicago-based subscription service offering baking kits inspired by diverse global cuisines, took home the $30,000 grand prize at the 2024 Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit. Shelley Gupta, the founder and CEO of BaKIT Box, was thrilled to receive the grand prize, she said. “It feels incredible,” Gupta said. “I flew here last…
How city dollars could help crime victims get back to business; Mayor unveils new fund to support struggling entrepreneurs
A newly introduced fund aimed at helping KCMO small businesses recover from and prevent property crimes — offering grants up to $3,000 for damage repairs and $5,000 for security upgrades — is a step in the right direction, said Joe Giammanco, whose pizza shop was recently hit by criminals. “Programs like this are going to…
KC pet tech startup fetches $120K Techstars investment, taking founder’s pitch to Atlanta
As Kansas City-built Interplay prepares to bring its debut product to market, the pet tech startup is getting a jolt of new energy from one of the nation’s top accelerator programs. The timing couldn’t be better, said founder Jonaie Johnson, announcing Interplay’s acceptance into Techstars Atlanta & New Orleans Powered by J.P. Morgan, which welcomed…

