Omaha-based Elevator expands its co-working with warehousing model to North Kansas City
February 26, 2025 | Ben Goeser
Editor’s note: The following story was published by Silicon Prairie News, an Omaha-based publication of the Nebraska Journalism Trust. Click here to read the original article or here to subscribe to SPN’s newsletter.
Following its expansion into Des Moines, Elevator is set to begin development on an additional space in Kansas City that will open later this year; This will be Elevator’s third location since opening in Omaha in October 2021, and its co-founders hope to continue expanding into other cities in the Midwest
Elevator, a co-warehousing startup that initially launched in Omaha in 2021, has secured a building to develop its concept in Kansas City, Missouri. The announcement follows the company’s expansion into Des Moines in late 2024.
Elevator’s new location is situated in North Kansas City at 20 W. 14th Ave., near businesses like Callsign Brewing and Chicken N Pickle. This will be the third Elevator location. Elevator’s efforts to bring its model to other Midwest cities is backed by a recent $1.6 million investment.
Elevator combines co-working with warehousing, offering entrepreneurs time and cost-saving efficiencies to scale their operations, according to a blog post announcing the Kansas City location. Flexible month-to-month memberships include micro-warehouse units, private offices, and co-working spaces. Members can easily adapt their space needs as they grow without the burden of long-term leases.
“Our first location has proven that small businesses are seeking flexible, supportive environments that address their unique challenges,” said Shannon Lerda, co-founder and president. “We’re excited to bring this model to Kansas City and help local entrepreneurs grow and thrive in this incredible community.”
Click here to join Elevator’s Kansas City waitlist.
Co-founders Shannon and Emiliano Lerda said they were attracted to their current locations and Kansas City because of the local maker mentality, entrepreneurial spirit and revitalization efforts that exist in these communities and among their leaders.
Shannon said the Kansas City location will have capacity for 100 businesses.
Silicon Prairie News (SPN) is the leading independent publication covering Nebraska’s startup ecosystem. It reports on entrepreneurs, investors and innovators shaping the region, providing in-depth stories, analysis and community-driven insights. SPN’s coverage highlights early-stage founders, high-growth companies and the ecosystem supporting them.
In addition to news, SPN hosts events like Silicon Prairie Startup Week and 10 Hour Challenge to foster collaboration and growth.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
This startup leader is revealing entrepreneur answers (and they’re listed in the table of contents)
Aligning the stars as a forward-looking founder and business owner isn’t easy, Maria Flynn noted, so she wrote her own guidebook. “Entrepreneurs are my tribe of people,” said Flynn, a serial founder and regional digital health leader. “And I was telling the same stories over and over again, so I started to write them down.…
He earned industry cred alongside Ariana Grande; now Jo Blaq wants to share the music with emerging KC artists
Joseph Macklin forged a successful music career through trial and error, he said, but that doesn’t mean the next generation should be forced to endure those same challenges just to feel like they earned credibility. The multi-platinum, Grammy award-nominated music producer, songwriter, engineer, and vocal arranger — known as Jo Blaq — is on a…
Nation’s best dog bar planning new tricks in KC after fetching top award, summer funding round
The dog days of summer are bringing momentum to Bar K, said David Hensley. The Kansas City-based escape space for pets and their owners was recently named top dog in the country by USA Today, just closed a funding round, and added several key team members — including Tim Schoenfelder as CEO — the co-founder…
Let’s eat out: KCMO wants more outdoor dining; new grants program pays for restaurant upgrades
Outdoor dining’s economic impact outlasted the pandemic, said Mayor Quinton Lucas. A new push to boost KCMO businesses — with the backing of city tourism dollars — is expected to help local restaurants, coffee shops, and bars embrace the opportunity, he said. His goal: Make outdoor dining spaces even more attractive to visitors and hometown…