All Stories

Vu Radley and Mark Launiu, MADE MOBB

Culture made First Fridays life-changing, duo says; now MADE MOBB is bringing back the block party

By Tommy Felts / June 3, 2021

MADE MOBB is reopening an era of live music and local vendors Friday — hoping to revive a Crossroads tradition silenced when its community was forced to disconnect and retreat indoors. “Come outside, baby!” Mark Launiu exclaimed ahead of Friday’s MADE MOBB Block Party. “Enjoy some free vibes [from] the people you’ll meet, the relationships…

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Christopher Cook and Nathaniel Bozarth

KC-built game simulates segregation, racism with one way to ‘win’: disrupt, destroy white supremacy

By Tommy Felts / June 3, 2021

Developing a game that sparks meaningful conversations on systematic racism requires nuance and balance, Nathaniel Bozarth explained, noting the goal is to create an emotional impact while not causing harm to the player. “It’s tough because you want to teach a topic that’s really hard — and you want to do it delicately enough that…

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Photo courtesy of WeWork Lightwell

‘Resilient’ KC keeps adding jobs: How local tech companies can retain top talent amid hiring frenzy

By Tommy Felts / June 3, 2021

Kansas City is adding tech jobs at a rapid pace, Kara Lowe said, but local companies would be wise to remember they aren’t the only ones hiring as the workforce redefines the geography of and need for high-density tech hubs. “Say you’re casting a wide net to catch top talent outside of Kansas city —…

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Sheila Martinez, A.S.K. Associates, and Neelima Parasker, SnapIT Solutions

SnapIT acquires fellow minority-, woman-owned tech company, expands customer footprint into government solutions

By Tommy Felts / June 1, 2021

SnapIT Solutions is scaling once again, announcing Tuesday the acquisition of a Lawrence-based tech company with a more-than-40-year legacy.  The Overland Park-based solutions and training company formally completed its purchase of A.S.K. Associates last month, signaling a path of steady and continued growth for SnapIT and the end of an era for the acquired company…

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Milad Ghasempour and Jannae Gammage, The Market Base

Top young startups, makers, woman-owned companies vie for ‘Emerging Business’ honors

By Tommy Felts / June 1, 2021

More than a dozen startups and small businesses are now finalists for the Kansas City chamber’s Emerging Business Award, vying for recognition amid a field of promising homegrown contenders. Among them: two of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2021, a handful of young businesses recently profiled by the publication for showing their…

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Molly Balloons posing in one of Balloon Wonderland’s backdrops; Art set by Kansas City’s Quixotic

Molly Balloons blows back: Inflating a life full of Tuesdays with weekend wonder, whimsy

By Tommy Felts / May 29, 2021

The pandemic twisted life for Molly Balloons, forcing the whimsical balloon artist — who thrives amid public exhibitions of her creativity and work — to reflect on what truly fills her soul with the most purpose and joy, she shared. A new summer popup launches this weekend in the West Bottoms, officially blowing Balloons back…

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Mr K contenders: KC chamber reveals 10 finalists for Small Business of the Year award

By Tommy Felts / May 28, 2021

Ten Kansas City companies — ranging from tech startups, apparel and experience brands to standout, hands-on small businesses — are officially in the running for the Chamber’s top honor: the prestigious Mr. K award. The finalists were announced Friday morning on social media with surprise reveals filmed Thursday alongside media sponsor Startland News, following a…

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Matt Baysinger and Ryan Henrich, co-founders of Swell Spark, on an April biking trip in Utah

Why Swell Spark founders needed a business breakup to keep the startup (and their friendship) moving forward

By Tommy Felts / May 28, 2021

Matt Baysinger and Ryan Henrich pedalled 100 miles over Utah’s rocky terrain as a milestone marker in the duo’s relationship — exiting a business partnership and riding ahead on a tight, decades-long friendship, Baysinger shared.  “You hear time and time again that you shouldn’t go into business with your friends,” said Baysinger, who in October…

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Jason Sudeikis and Billy Brimblecom at Thundergong, November 2020

Decades before Thundergong, KC stars crafted comedy at what’s now a neighborhood coworking space

By Tommy Felts / May 27, 2021

Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. Nostalgia for the 1990s hit Billy Brimblecom hard when he recalled his days as a young comedian, performing alongside colleagues and friends — including the now-internationally famous actor Jason Sudeikis…

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Sunny Sanwar and Patrick Hosty, Dynamhex

How a climate tech startup made its footprint in KC, but found its footing in a two-city solution

By Tommy Felts / May 27, 2021

When the City of Kansas City, Missouri, came looking for ways to combat climate change in 2018, Sunny Sanwar raised his hand with a solution.  “There’s a lot of extremely useful models in academia, [but they] oftentimes don’t solve for commercial viability. They’re solving to appease peers or for publishing in top journals,” said Sanwar,…

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