All Stories

Tesseract earns $1.25M contract to help Space Force, military ‘predict the future’

By Tommy Felts / April 19, 2023

Industry-defining tools built by Kansas City’s Tesseract Ventures will help the U.S. Space Force accurately track machines, people and objects on base, and create a clearer understanding of launch conditions through next generation data visualization, said John Boucard. Tesseract announced Tuesday that the company has been awarded a direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation (SBIR) contract…

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Willy Schlacks and Jabbok Schlacks, EquipmentShare, Scale

EquipmentShare digs massive $290M round, deepening US footprint, its T3 tech platform

By Tommy Felts / April 19, 2023

COLUMBIA, Missouri — EquipmentShare, an equipment and digital solutions provider serving the construction industry, announced Wednesday the completion of a $290 million funding round led by a fund focused on family- and founder-led scaling businesses.  “Our growth continues to be fueled by new customers who are ready for a technology-driven construction solution,” said Jabbok Schlacks,…

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AI Hub builds creative space in River Market, giving artists access to business tech, tools

By Tommy Felts / April 19, 2023

The Midwest needs more resources to help creatives start their own businesses and keep them thriving, said Taylor Burris and James Spikes, who designed a one-stop art incubator to give artists’ innovation a fresh canvas. The husband-and-wife team opened AI Hub — powered by IRIS Creative Projects Agency and with funding from The Porter House…

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Why this serial entrepreneur bought ‘a giant beach in Kansas’ (and how he plans to make it KC’s next outdoor hot spot) 

By Tommy Felts / April 18, 2023

Lance Windholz is already digging his new position on Shawnee’s sand volleyball courts: owner.  “This deal was about six years in the making,” said Windholz, a serial entrepreneur and small business owner. “I had been playing volleyball out at Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball three, four times a week — and just thought, ‘Why not own…

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Rock Chalk hustle: KU launches ‘Startup Jayhawk’ event series to demystify entrepreneurship

By Tommy Felts / April 18, 2023

Editor’s note: The University of Kansas’ School of Business is a partner of Startland News. LAWRENCE — A three-day startup event series at the University of Kansas is expected to help shine a spotlight on student entrepreneurship and innovation, said Brian Anderson, noting an intentional effort by KU’s School of Business to make startup life…

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Enchanté! Restaurateur bakes her latest hotspot on KC Streetcar line: Each space speaks to me

By Tommy Felts / April 15, 2023

Some conversations are too special to end with a simple “goodbye,” said Heather White. “Say you’re in France with a group of friends, and you’re having one of those amazing conversations that is just so delightful — when it’s time to leave, you want to say more than goodbye. It’s enchanté!” shared White, the founder…

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Olathe startup remixes graduation apparel for students with hair that won’t fit the mold (or cap)

By Tommy Felts / April 14, 2023

Graduation is an important time in a young person’s life, said Rashawnda Wright, noting students should look and feel their best on perhaps the biggest day of their educational careers. After watching her daughter, Myayla, struggle to wear her graduation cap atop her big, curly hair, Wright was inspired to come up with a solution.…

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$500K Etsy grant expected to help AltCap offer microloans to artists, creative entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / April 14, 2023

AltCap this week announced a new partnership with the global marketplace Etsy to provide microloans to artists and creative entrepreneurs in America’s Heartland.  Etsy has awarded AltCap, an impact-focused small business lender, a $500,000 grant to provide $1,000 to $10,000 loans through the ARTcap Microloan Fund to artists and creative entrepreneurs in Kansas, Missouri and…

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Blue Springs farm, retail space invites city diners to the orchard for ‘Alpaca Brunch’

By Tommy Felts / April 13, 2023

Brunching with a multicolor trio of alpacas is just one of the experiential offerings coming to Colonial Gardens this spring and summer as the rural Blue Springs retail space leans into agritourism and hands-on education, said Grace Ames. Not only can community members buy plants, trees, and flowers for their yards at Colonial Gardens, the…

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Equal Minded Cafe serves a wealth of wins as taste buds power Troost bistro’s word-of-mouth appeal

By Tommy Felts / April 12, 2023

Dontavious Young will happily brew customers at Equal Minded Cafe a chai or latte, but his main goal is to blend ideas, not ingredients. “Our mission is to provide resources, opportunities, and connections to people from all districts of Kansas City,” said Young, the property owner, event coordinator, and cafe manager at Equal Minded Cafe.…

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