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Report: Missouri startups continue hiring surge, creating 40K+ jobs in every corner of the state

By Tommy Felts / March 6, 2024

Editor’s note: KCSourceLink and MOSourceLink are non-financial, community partners of Startland News. Missouri startups across the state created 40,169 jobs in 2022, according to the latest data, nearly matching the surge in the number of jobs they generated in 2021. Taking into consideration the number of employees these same firms hired in 2018 and in…

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Vytelle expands hoofprint for its cattle IVF tech ‘closer to home,’ opening lab in Kearney, Nebraska

By Tommy Felts / March 5, 2024

A new lab space for Kansas City-based Vytelle is expected to help the precision livestock startup increase regional accessibility to modern reproduction technology and enable the possibility of fresh embryo transfers for producers across the Midwest, said Kerryann Kocher. Vytelle — the fastest-growing in vitro fertilization (IVF) company — on Monday announced the opening of…

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Now serving foodpreneurs: KC conference dishes out 30+ sessions for new, growing food businesses

By Tommy Felts / March 5, 2024

Launching a food business comes with unique challenges, Xander Winkel shared, and the Mid-Continent Public Library has partnered with several local organizations to help those specialized entrepreneurs find their recipe to success. The Food Business Conference — free workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for “foodpreneurs” that are offered in partnership with the library, Kansas…

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New home on Ward Parkway: $4M minority chamber project brings Black, Brown entrepreneurs under one banner

By Tommy Felts / March 5, 2024

A history-making project on Ward Parkway — said to be the first minority-owned property on the storied Kansas City thoroughfare — already is demonstrating the power of unity amid divisive times, said Kim Randolph. Unveiled to the public Saturday, the new Minority Chamber of Commerce Development Center at 9100 Ward Parkway is now home to both…

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Founder earns Pipeline’s ‘best pitch,’ says network’s lifelong support is the real award

By Tommy Felts / March 1, 2024

Pipeline judges announced Megan O’Rear had the best pitch Thursday, but the Celerity Enterprises founder was left momentarily speechless when they named her winner of the group’s annual showcase and competition. “It just validates coming back to Kansas City,” said O’Rear, who also serves as the startup’s CEO. “Pipeline wants to help everybody that they…

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KC Chamber’s Superstars celebration empowers everyday small business heroes 

By Tommy Felts / March 1, 2024

Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. The Blueprint KC has come a long way, said Sheraz Pompey, emphasizing the meaningful impact of being showcased as one of the KC Chamber’s Small Business Superstars.…

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U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, Wednesday at Ronawk in Olathe

Davids’ effort to level the playing field for Native entrepreneurs passes US House, moving to Senate

By Tommy Felts / March 1, 2024

Legislation meant to address entrepreneurship challenges specific to Native and tribal business owners advanced in the U.S. Congress this week, with a Kansas City lawmaker championing the effort to bring equity to an overlooked corner of the small business community. “In Indian Country, Native-owned businesses employ over 300,000 Americans and are vital drivers of our…

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KC Tech Council launches initiative for young women in tech, backed by Meta, Panasonic

By Tommy Felts / February 29, 2024

A new strategic program from the KC Tech Council is designed to empower and equip female-identifying students entering their junior (class of 2026) and senior (class of 2025) years of high school with tech exposure, career guidance, leadership opportunities, and invaluable mentorship. The LEGiT KC program (Leadership and Empowerment for Girls in Tech), sponsored by…

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Charlie Hustle popup coming to Power & Light in time for Big 12 (and 300,000 visitors)

By Tommy Felts / February 29, 2024

A highly visible storefront along the KC Streetcar line is expected to give homegrown apparel brand Charlie Hustle a prime spot to showcase KC Heart for hundreds of thousands of potential shoppers during the coming Big 12 basketball tournament. The game day merch shop and experiential retail concept is expected to open Thursday, March 7…

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DivvyHQ exits: They built this KC startup brick-by-brick, now it fits within a bigger story

By Tommy Felts / February 29, 2024

A Kansas City marketing tech startup’s acquisition by Lytho, a leading creative project management platform, is built upon the two brands’ complementary company ideologies and tech, said Brock Stechman. “We’re seeing a lot of consolidation in our market, and this was an opportunity where we could collaborate and come together seamlessly with a single, specialized,…

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