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Dusty Birge, Snappy Workflow

Snappy Workflow closes $1M round with electric backing from Nebraska investors

By Tommy Felts / June 7, 2022

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 the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. KEARNEY,…

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C2FO primes for global expansion with C-suite adds; new CFO joins from post-IPO SelectQuote

By Tommy Felts / June 7, 2022

Editor’s note: C2FO is a financial partner of Startland News. Two new C-suite appointments to C2FO’s leadership team come as the Kansas City-based startup swells to record funding activity and projects new phases for its global expansion and growth. Ragui Selwanes, a veteran tech executive, joins C2FO as chief product and technology officer, a newly…

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Black & Veatch investing $50K in CAPS network, hoping to unite corporate champions amid lagging labor market

By Tommy Felts / June 7, 2022

One of the earliest supporters of the Center for the Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) is stepping up again to set the tone for foundational corporate backing as the Johnson County-spun experiential learning effort scales across North America. CAPS announced Monday a $50,000 investment from Black & Veatch to further long-term employment solutions for the engineering…

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‘Cyderes’ emerges from Fishtech, Herjavec merger; new cybersecurity powerhouse aims to reshape market

By Tommy Felts / June 7, 2022

Editor’s note: Cyderes is a financial partner of Startland News, supporting Community Builders to Watch and Startland News Live. Security stakes are at an all-time high, said Robert Herjavec, star of ABC’s “Shark Tank” and CEO of the newly announced Cyderes — a rebranded cybersecurity leader with its sights set no lower than becoming the new…

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Matt Brammlette, Mid Coast Modern, Bear Soap Co.

Business is a bear: Why Soap Bar closed its storefront to keep inventory flowing to Made in KC, refreshed retail spot

By Tommy Felts / June 4, 2022

The shelving of Soap Bar in Westport wasn’t the end of a chapter — just a focused business shift, said Matt Bramlette, the Midtown maker behind Toilet Bombs and a variety of self-care products.  “We took the look and feel of Soap Bar and merged it with Mid Coast Modern. It was a total refresh,”…

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The Next Paige Agency

Alchemy Sandbox awards 5 more grants: Lean into failure to make your business ‘worthy to win’

By Tommy Felts / June 4, 2022

Success isn’t always immediate, Elaina Paige Thomas said, grateful for lessons learned through trial and error, as well as a firm belief that persistence pays off.  “What I originally thought my business needed was not seen as a necessity to my panel of judges,” said Thomas, founder of The Next Paige Agency, recalling an experience…

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Benay Shannon, Restless Spirits Distilling Company

‘HERstory’ roundtable distills women entrepreneur’s restless spirits into June 4 celebration

By Tommy Felts / June 2, 2022

When women are at the helm, there’s herstory to be made. A new Kansas City-based conference hopes to showcase it.  “The Sewing Labs proudly presents, Make’n HERstory, a celebration of women who use their creative muse to make a living and a life,” the nonprofit organization said, teasing its Saturday, June 4 conference experience.  The…

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Kansas City Assembly Plant; photo courtesy of Ford

Ford investing $95M, adding 1,100 new union jobs at KC plant to boost electric vehicle production

By Tommy Felts / June 2, 2022

One of Kansas City’s biggest employers is driving further into its commitment to local jobs and strengthening its electric vehicle portfolio, adding a third shift at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant and bringing new focus to its evolving strategy. Ford announced Thursday it is investing $95 million and adding 1,100 new union jobs in Kansas…

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Niki Baker

She was prepared for a ‘no’ but Niki Baker’s blind outreach scored her exclusive licensing with her alma mater

By Tommy Felts / June 2, 2022

Faithful to her colors, Niki Baker’s fondness for Kansas State University is unwavering long after she left its campus behind to pursue an art career and a family, she said. Pouring her maker’s mission out on canvas and painting possibility, Baker is now one of the rare few to hold a piece of her alma…

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Derecka Purnell

Two Black, women-owned bookstores open conversation on police abolition; Why this UMKC alumna says it could reduce gun violence in KC

By Tommy Felts / June 2, 2022

Two of Kansas City’s newest Black-, woman-owned bookshops are teaming up to host Derecka Purnell — human rights lawyer, author and University of Missouri-Kansas City alumna — for a community discussion on police abolition and eliminating harm.  Aya Coffee + Books and BLK + BRWN are presenting “Community Book Chat with Derecka Purnell” 6:30 p.m.…

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