Startland News wins 2017 EDCKC Cornerstone award

May 2, 2017  |  Bobby Burch

Startland News Poster

Thanks to a talented team and supportive community, I’m proud to announce that Startland News has won a 2017 Cornerstone Award.

Presented by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City for 30 years, the Cornerstone Awards recognize people, projects, businesses, programs, initiatives and events that drive economic development and growth in Kansas City.

On behalf of the Startland team and our founding partner, Affinity Enterprise Group, I’m humbled and thrilled we earned this award alongside such esteemed institutions as Boulevard Brewing Co., Virgin Mobile, Burns & McDonnell and others. Check out the full list of winners here. If you’re so inclined, you can vote for Startland News in the EDCKC’s People’s Choice Award.

It’s been nearly two years to the day — we launched May 4, 2015 — that Startland began its vision to become the local leader in telling stories on Kansas City’s entrepreneurial and innovation-inspired community.

Thank you to everyone who’s been a part of this journey, including Meghan LeVota, Adam Arredondo, Jordan EuDaly, Matthew Marcus, Andrea Essner, Kat Hungerford and Abby Tillman. Thank you also to our partners, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Polsinelli, the Kansas City Startup Foundation, our fantastic tech team, Rivet Creative, and our advisory board.

A special note of gratitude is for two unheralded champions of Kansas City entrepreneurship that many of you likely do not know. Mike Wrenn and Becky Cole both have believed in the vision of Startland News since its inception in early 2015. Without their generous support and entrepreneurial enthusiasm, there wouldn’t be a Startland News. Thank you, Mike and Becky, for your confidence, trust and willingness to take a risk on the crazy idea that is Startland News.

Last but not least, thank you, Kansas City! We’ve enjoyed significant and sustained readership growth in and outside of Kansas City during the last two years thanks to our fantastic readers. We appreciate you taking the time to read and share Kansas City stories. As always, we welcome your feedback on how we can improve or add value to your life.

Sincerely,

Bobby Burch

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2017 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    MidxMidwest teases lineup for three-day investor-innovation event (and the startup party of the year)

    By Tommy Felts | October 31, 2025

    Building on Kansas City’s ambitious spirit, a new blend of music, startups and community is expected to meet at the crossroads of innovation, said Alexa Heying, pulling back the curtain on plans for the region’s flagship Midwest tech conference. “The goal of MidxMidwest is to create the connective tissue between founders, investors, and corporates so…

    Peek inside: Buffalo State Pizza takes another slice of ownership with fresh-baked downtown OP relocation

    By Tommy Felts | October 31, 2025

    Three decades of pizza at a popular downtown Overland Park corner might have come to a close this week, as the crew at Buffalo State Pizza Co. picked up the last of what they could carry and walked it a half block down the street to the shop’s new home near another local favorite, The…

    One cabin, one chair, one cut: Barber swaps rushed for rustic at his no-distractions shop in the woods

    By Tommy Felts | October 31, 2025

    LONE JACK, Mo. — A short drive to visit this barber — his cabin tucked away in the oaks and hickories about 35 minutes from the heart Kansas City — is about more than just the journey to a great hair cut, Micah Holdaway said; it’s about the experience. After running Barberhouse Men’s Hair Studio in…

    Q&A: Troy Nash grew up in public housing; now he’s leading real estate innovation at UMKC

    By Tommy Felts | October 30, 2025

    Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Click here to read the original story. [divide] Executive MBA professor named new real estate center director With more than two decades of leadership in public-private partnerships, economic development and community engagement, Troy Nash will serve as director of the Lewis…