All Stories

SpiderOak raises $16.4M for space cybersecurity tech to protect ‘soft underbelly’ of satellites

By Tommy Felts / January 13, 2023

A Lenexa-based company’s industry-leading technology is taking orbit with new investments that validate SpiderOak’s end-to-end cybersecurity efforts — a “mission critical” platform that reduces the attack surface of satellites and damages the ability of adversaries to jam and disrupt space communications. “Today, space-based assets are mission essential in all civil and military operations and rapidly…

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Teen coursework: Students take a shot at business with backyard paintball venture

By Tommy Felts / January 13, 2023

High school students in south Kansas City are mixing recreation with education by applying entrepreneurial concepts from the classroom to start their own paintball venture. Located on the campus of The Daniel Academy, Project:Paintball began as an idea in an entrepreneurship and marketing class during the 2021-22 school year. “We’re the Planet Fitness of paintball,”…

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Wichita startup with growing KC team secures $10M from Koch Disruptive Technologies

By Tommy Felts / January 12, 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. This series is possible thanks to Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV), a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. WICHITA — weavix is transforming…

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Global flavors layer together as 200+ chefs serve up their best dishes for KC Restaurant Week

By Tommy Felts / January 12, 2023

Kansas City Restaurant Week serves as a sampler for curious diners to satisfy their taste buds with an array of delightful dishes — and chefs from more than 200 local eateries showing off their culinary creativity and most visual see-food specialties, said Andrew Fontes.  “It’s a great opportunity to go outside your comfort zone and…

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‘Superstars’ opens the door to KC Chamber, making room for small biz, startups: Apply through Feb. 1

By Tommy Felts / January 11, 2023

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. Recognized as a Small Business Superstar twice in the program’s first two years, More Than a Meal earned a sense of validation from the Chamber’s initiative for…

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Four KC-area startups tapped for custom accelerator targeting diverse range of Kansas entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / January 11, 2023

Only a handful of Kansas City startups — three of which hail from Johnson County — are among 21 companies selected for a Wichita-based accelerator designed for growth-minded startups in the thick of their product-market fit and customer-acquisition journeys. The NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort is designed to help early-stage companies break through barriers to generate revenue…

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Just funded: Digital Sandbox KC ‘fuels innovation’ for five emerging tech startups

By Tommy Felts / January 11, 2023

Scaling past the proof-of-concept stage is key for young startups, so making them fundable by the time their product is built can mean the difference between success and stagnation, said Jill Meyer, announcing the latest round of companies backed by Digital Sandbox KC. The five startups receiving up to $20,000 each include ventures focused on…

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Coworking blueprint for contractors trades home for critical back-office business support

By Tommy Felts / January 10, 2023

Trades CoWork provides a professional office environment, storage space, and back-office support to contractors and trades workers who have long been “dismissed,” said William Hayes, an entrepreneur who “sold everything” to fuel the venture. “There is nothing out there for the small contractors that gives them an affordable option to move out of their house,…

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Why these Big Jay collectibles are a nod to bobblehead hall of fame’s love of KC-area sports 

By Tommy Felts / January 10, 2023

A cross-country childhood trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum inspired a young baseball fan and rookie sports collector to keep Kansas City on his map — later incorporating an array of local major league and collegiate teams into his entrepreneurial venture: a national hall of fame for bobbleheads. The most recent additions to his…

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Organized mess or inbox in distress? What your email says about the vibe at work (Holistic Hustle)

By Tommy Felts / January 9, 2023

Kharissa Parker is a news producer, writer, certified health coach, and columnist for Startland News. For more of her self-care tips on how to keep your cup full, visit kparker.co. Editor’s note: This commentary on awareness of space — and how it reflects the vibe necessary to succeed at work — continues Parker’s series on…

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