All Stories

Company boosted by Topeka becomes capital city’s latest Plug and Play corporate partner

By Tommy Felts / April 24, 2023

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.  TOPEKA — Plug and Play Topeka announced this week the addition of Bimini Pet Health as a new corporate partner of the Topeka-based animal health accelerator — a move expected…

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NFL Draft arrives in Kansas City: Here’s what you need to know

By Tommy Felts / April 24, 2023

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Kansas City Beacon, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story from The Kansas City Beacon, an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism…

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Kin crafts flavor into hard seltzer market, targeting overlooked Black consumers looking for authentic social experiences

By Tommy Felts / April 21, 2023

The founding trio of a new hard seltzer crafted in Kansas City hopes the drink will add much-needed inclusivity to the craft seltzer space. Kin Seltzer is a collaboration between Joshua Lewis and Kearra Johnson of UpDown Nightlife, and Eric Martens of Border Brewing Company. Currently, leading seltzer brands target their marketing predominantly to white…

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KC mom’s goal for her daughters’ brewing coffee business: Making history, served Blakk

By Tommy Felts / April 21, 2023

Germaneke Drone is steeping her daughters’ entrepreneurial vision with her own lived experience to turn the kids’ idea into the Kansas City-based, dairy-free mobile coffee cafe of their dreams, the Blakk Brew founder said. Growing up with a Vietnamese grandmother, Kai, 8, and Keanu, 6, were introduced to coffee and tea culture at an early…

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Danza returns with a new music video (and business cards); why this award-winning KC performer is chasing more than success

By Tommy Felts / April 21, 2023

The idea of “making it” in the music industry isn’t what drives Anthony Louderback to create vulnerable, truth-filled melodies, he shared — rather, his creative outlet has taken him on a life-long exploration of himself and his community.    “When I first started releasing music, I didn’t know that it was going to be this journey…

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Top 10 unfurled after banner year: KC Chamber narrows contenders for ‘Small Business of the Year’

By Tommy Felts / April 21, 2023

A half-dozen fresh-faced ventures — plus a few high-profile returning businesses — round out the Top 10 finalists for the KC Chamber’s 2023 Small Business of the Year award, announced publicly Friday during a social media rollout. “Small businesses drive KC’s economy, and we couldn’t be more excited for this year’s Top 10, and the…

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Guy’s THC-infused potato chips hitting shelves soon; first bite of cannabis collaborations to come

By Tommy Felts / April 20, 2023

A months-long wait is over for fans of Guy’s Snacks — and recreational cannabis — as rumors of a THC-infused crossover officially take potato chip shape, just in time for Kansas City’s first 4/20 celebration since legalization. Franklin’s Stash House — a premier manufacturer of high-quality cannabis products and one of Startland News’ Kansas City…

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Maker featured in NBC series says ‘death cleaning’ opened his eyes to grief without guilt

By Tommy Felts / April 19, 2023

Godfrey Riddle made it his mission to uplift others, the Kansas City social entrepreneur said, but when a new, high-profile Peacock series begins streaming next week, viewers will witness Riddle on the receiving end of that love and support. The Civic Saint founder is set to appear on an episode of “The Gentle Art of…

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Ryan Cowdrey and Blake Herren, Raven 3D Printing

Raven’s return-to-earth science is complete, founder says; a new space accelerator will help get the KCK-built tech off the ground

By Tommy Felts / April 19, 2023

A KCK startup that could revolutionize space transportation is among 14 companies selected this week for an accelerator program from Amazon Web Services that focus on “transforming the future of space for all of humanity.” Kansas City-based Raven Space Systems — led by co-founders Ryan Cowdrey and Blake Herren — is building entirely 3D printed reentry…

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