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The Brad Feld Challenge for Startland News' Give A Start donor campaign

Techstars co-founder Brad Feld launches $25K matching gift for Startland News donor campaign

By Tommy Felts / October 14, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is an update to Startland News’ Give A Start — an eight-week donor campaign seeking reader support for the nonprofit newsroom. Click here to donate. One week into Startland News’ donor campaign — the nonprofit newsroom’s first big ask for readers’ financial support — the digital publication is announcing the Brad Feld Challenge. Brad Feld —…

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Nomi Smith, PMI Rate Pro, Pure Pitch Rally 2020; photo by Mikaela Wendel Photography

Big winner at the Pure Pitch Rally: the American dream (and 8 pitchers vying for more than $91K)

By Tommy Felts / October 14, 2020

Seven months after launching her startup, Nomi Smith’s PMI Rate Pro already is integrated with the nation’s six private mortgage insurance providers — saving more than 2,000 hours for loan officers and more than $1 million for homebuyers, she said. Competing Monday on stage at the Pure Pitch Rally was another critical milestone, Smith told…

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Isaac Hodges, Messenger Coffee Company, and Dan Trott, FairWave Holdings

Stronger brew: Messenger blends coffee collective into its behind-the-scenes menu

By Tommy Felts / October 13, 2020

As the smells of Ibis Bakery and roasting beans waft together at Messenger Coffee in the Crossroads, rising between floors of the spacious and vibrant corner cafe, the flavors haven’t changed since COVID-19 began — nor since the popular Kansas City roasterie joined a freshly launched coffee collective, said Isaac Hodges. It’s still steeped in…

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Darcy Howe, KCRise Fund

Blue KC ‘investing in the future’ by joining KCRise Fund II to build high-tech startups

By Tommy Felts / October 13, 2020

Editor’s note: KCRise Fund is a financial supporter of Startland, the parent organization of Startland News, and Darcy Howe, founder and managing director of KCRise Fund, sits on the board of the nonprofit, ecosystem-building entity. This report was produced independently by Startland News. As a leading Kansas City venture firm nears the completion of its…

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Downtown Overland Park, Johnson County

ECJC leading Johnson County effort to distribute $13.5M in CARES small business grants

By Tommy Felts / October 13, 2020

A new government lifeline designed to boost Johnson County entrepreneurs hit by the COVID-19 pandemic soon will offer a one-time $10,000 grant to qualified recipients. “Many of Johnson County’s small businesses have limited resources and access to capital during this unprecedented time,” said Ed Eilert, chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. “We’re…

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Miguel Johns, KingFit

KingFit prescription for growth: DiabetesCare startup becomes a pandemic must-have

By Tommy Felts / October 12, 2020

WICHITA — A new partnership with a medical giant is adding even more fuel to a momentous 2020 for Kansas-grown KingFit, said Miguel Johns.  The startup has entered an agreement with BioTel Care, the diabetes division of BioTelemetry — a $2 billion publicly-traded company, that aims to improve health outcomes through innovation.  “This partnership opens doors…

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Dave Derr, Wiener Kitchen

Wiener Kitchen’s chef-driven, artisan eats: This time you’ll actually want to see how the sausage is made

By Tommy Felts / October 12, 2020

The grill hasn’t gone cold for Overland Park-stuffed Wiener Kitchen, said Dave Derr, recalling his unexpectedly packed experience as a restauranteur amid a pandemic season squeezing many small businesses.  “We’ve had more revenue at our store than pre-COVID, which is absolutely nuts,” he chuckled in near disbelief. Consumer habits rapidly changed during the onset of…

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Hyperloop Certification Center (HCC) planned for West Virginia; rendering courtesy of Virgin Hyperloop

Hyperloop taps West Virginia for $500M project; Missouri still in the running for future sites, advocate says

By Tommy Felts / October 8, 2020

A prized hyperloop project headed for West Virginia doesn’t mean Missouri’s hopes of a high-speed transportation system connecting St. Louis to Kansas City are off the rails, said Ryan Weber, KC Tech Council president. Virgin Hyperloop announced Thursday its plans to host a $500 million certification center and test track for billionaire Richard Branson’s experimental…

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Anita Koul, Kufukaa

Masked by fashion: COVID pivot pushes brand to local production, beyond mere ‘talk’ on social media

By Tommy Felts / October 8, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is the second in a series of stories about Kansas City fashion companies putting their own creative spin on the often-utilitarian face mask. Blessings are all around, Anita Koul said, sifting through memories of a year that’s been so far defined by wild hardships and tragic losses.  “We have to take…

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Rising startup stars among latest wave of Digital Sandbox’s critical COVID-era capital

By Tommy Felts / October 6, 2020

Four new Digital Sandbox KC companies reflect a wide breadth of technology, diversity and ingenuity that’s not only typical of the proof-of-concept program, but needed as the startup community attempts a rebound amid the ongoing pandemic, said Jill Meyer. “Our current environment has been a challenging one to navigate for many of our entrepreneurs,” said…

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