All Stories

Stadium rendering from Kansas City NWSL, by Generator Studio, JE Dunn and Monarch Build

How a new stadium planned for Kansas City’s riverfront could redefine ‘long-neglected’ neighborhood 

By Tommy Felts / October 26, 2021

A $70 million project along Kansas City’s riverfront is expected to be the first stadium purpose-built for a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, Kansas City NWSL owners announced Tuesday, unveiling early plans for the 11,000-seat complex just north of downtown. “The goals for reclaiming our long-neglected riverfront have been bold but clear – develop…

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Leawood-based online restaurant platform Menufy acquired by hungry Houston cloud company

By Tommy Felts / October 26, 2021

A rapidly scaling Leawood tech company that helped dozens of Kansas City restaurants, as well as eateries across 3,000 other cities, survive the pandemic has sold to a Houston-based cloud software provider for the restaurant industry. Menufy’s vast online food ordering platform and network is expected to be incorporated into the HungerRush 360 cloud POS…

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Kansas City-made fitness apps flex tactics to monetize training’s trend toward tech

By Tommy Felts / October 26, 2021

Jake Heyen’s Fitic exercises its potential at the intersection of pandemic-pumped fitness and influencer marketing industries, the Kansas City founder said, detailing the intertwined world of fitness-minded consumers and content creators. “We love the fact that we sit within two industries that are poised for explosive growth going forward,” said Heyen, who also serves as…

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Hunter Browning and Ben Schultz, LaborChart

Exit to watch: Top startup LaborChart sells in a deal under construction for generations

By Tommy Felts / October 22, 2021

LaborChart, one of Kansas City’s leading startups, has sold to a California-based giant in construction management — a deal that proves hard work and determination pay off, its founder said.  The startup was sold to Procore Technologies, the companies announced Friday, noting in a release the deal is expected to further innovate the world of construction…

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Bearded Fellas

Bearded Fellas shave away ‘just a doll’ — leaving the beauty of everyday magic, people

By Tommy Felts / October 22, 2021

Ali Bustos didn’t even know how to sew when she was gifted a sewing machine by her parents in 2008. More preoccupied with painting at the time, the machine sat mostly unused.  But when her first son was born, it was difficult to paint with a wiggly baby in her arms, she said.  Her yearning…

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Jeff Short, Overflow

Storytelling startup rewrites the pandemic narrative, scaling into new success, downtown space 

By Tommy Felts / October 22, 2021

Editor’s note: The following story — a spotlight on a member of the Plexpod community — is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. Stories are powerful, Jeff Short said, recalling ways his storytelling startup, Overflow, has worked to help Kansas Citians harness…

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Dan Smith and Charon Thompson, Porter House KC

Porter House KC receives $175K from JPMorgan Chase Foundation to support inclusive entrepreneurship 

By Tommy Felts / October 21, 2021

An investment by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation will help The Porter House KC fill a void in entrepreneur support programming in Kansas City, said Dan Smith. “Our goal is always to find a solution to the problem. We felt there was a gap. There was a whole population of people being missed. People who come…

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Clarence Tan and Edna Martinson, Boddle Learning

Boddle raises $1.35M with KCRise Fund on board, reaches 450,000+ students, expands team

By Tommy Felts / October 21, 2021

Editor’s note: KCRise Fund is a financial supporter of Startland News. This report was produced independently of that relationship. TULSA — As schools across the country navigate in-person and remote learning models, Boddle Learning, a math gaming platform that was founded in Kansas City continues to grow, raising another round of more than $1 million…

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Wesley Hamilton, Disabled But Not Really

KC social entrepreneur Wesley Hamilton surprised with $1M on Good Morning America 

By Tommy Felts / October 20, 2021

Wesley Hamilton experienced a roller coaster of emotions Wednesday morning, with a grand finale surprise of a $1 million donation from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.  “Thank you, everyone, for believing and watching the journey. It’s always been about the people we’ve been serving. I’m just grateful,” Hamilton said through joyful tears on Good Morning…

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Matt Condon, Bardavon Health Innovations

Bardavon announces $90M funding round to fuel health tech expansion; a moment built by people in KC, founder says

By Tommy Felts / October 20, 2021

A $90 million Series C funding round for Bardavon Health Innovations is not only big deal for the startup and Kansas City — but a testament to a community of support that made the health tech company’s growth and expansion possible, said Matt Condon. Led by investor Matrix Capital Management, a public and private investment firm,…

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