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Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. WICHITA — A Kansas teenager’s telemedicine nonprofit was selected as one of nine finalists for a local health tech startup competition — the only Sunflower State venture chosen for the…
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Zen Donkey Farms — known for its raw, organic, cold-pressed juices available through home delivery — is expanding while continuing its mission of rescuing donkeys and bringing donkey-facilitated wellness programs to Kansas City, said co-founder Kate Barker. The purpose-driven wellness business — which also offers plant-based mylks, hemp protein superfoods, CBD skin care products, and…
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When launching an investment firm, venture capitalists must consider what distinguishes them from other firms and gives them a competitive edge, said Taylor Clauson. “In my case, I would say that having such a narrow thesis is a tremendous luxury,” said Clauson, who founded Abstraction Capital in 2020. “I’m a specialist fund, and founders like…
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A healthy dose of recent funding events kept Kansas City in the No. 11 spot in the 2023 edition of M25’s annual ranking of Midwest startup cities, said Victor Gutwein, founder and managing partner at M25. The comprehensive report explores how metropolitan areas across the Midwest are performing relative to each other based on startup…
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Funding from a pilot physical infrastructure grants program is expected to help The Porter House KC complete phase 2 of the build out for its new 811 Retail Incubator, focused on boosting retail entrepreneurs from the urban core. “This grant will allow us to serve over 90 small businesses focused on retail operations within the…
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When LaunchKC’s next round of grant recipients are announced this fall during Global Entrepreneurship Week, winning startups will receive game-changing exposure in addition to the $50,000 in prize money, said Jon Ruiz. His venture, EB Systems, was among six winners in 2022 when the popular grants competition was rebooted by LaunchKC after a four-year hiatus…
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Three high-profile tech startups in Kansas City each earned a portion of the $2.4 million awarded in July by the Missouri Technology Corporation, the agency announced this week “We are thrilled to announce another set of awards to support the high-tech, high-growth startups committed to growing in Missouri,” said Jack Scatizzi, executive director of MTC.…
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Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, noted Kathy Nelson; and a one-of-a-kind pickleball experience is coming to Kansas City in 2024. In collaboration with Visit KC, Triple Crown Sports is bringing its inaugural celebration of pickleball to Kansas City. Picklecon is an all-encompassing pickleball experience designed to welcome players of all skill levels:…
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A Kansas City non-profit’s punk rock move to improve teens’ mental wellness through song is getting an extra jolt from a $100,000 gift — funds that support the organization as it plans an upcoming music and arts festival in the city’s Northeast, as well as promotes scientific efforts to show how rock and roll impacts…
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With an emphasis on diversity and creativity, JQ Sirls’ AI-powered story generator is set to redefine children’s literature while uniting generations, he said. “I’m really trying to create these magical bonding moments between adults and children. When adults use this technology to create their own story, it makes them feel like a kid again. Then…
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