All Stories

Erin Bopp, Lightwork DJ Mobilverse

16 winners: Micro-grant competition debuts with $30K in prizes to entrepreneurs who ‘need funds the most’

By Tommy Felts / May 11, 2020

Not all early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses qualify for federal disaster loans, prompting an even greater need for programs like the new Dare to Venture Micro-Grant Competition, according to the Urban Business Growth Initiative. “At a critical time when small businesses need funds the most, the program offered a total of $30,000 in micro-grants to…

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Lauren Lawrence, Stenovate

Just-launched Stenovate: COVID-19 will give court reporters, stenographers work for years to come 

By Tommy Felts / May 9, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. What the mid-pandemic launch of Stenovate lacks in revelry, it makes up…

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John Styers, Transportant

Wichita VC backs two KC startups: ‘Great companies can be built in crazy economic times’

By Tommy Felts / May 9, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Despite a global pandemic, Wichita-based Accelerate Venture Partners closed nearly as many…

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OYO Nova Gym

This KC-created handheld home gym just became the highest-funded fitness product ever on Kickstarter

By Tommy Felts / May 9, 2020

The OYO Nova Gym passed a massive crowdfunding milestone Saturday morning — raising $1.6 million in pre-sales for the Kansas City company and becoming the most-funded fitness product in Kickstarter history. And OYO’s campaign still has a month to go. “The OYO team has worked hard to develop fitness devices that fit in anyone’s lifestyle,”…

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Jan Knobel, Upper Crust Pie Bakery

Upper Crust bakery’s recipe for reopening: Embrace a sweet new piece of the retail pie

By Tommy Felts / May 7, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Behind a rustic “closed” sign, empty display cases and a lonely pie…

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Made in KC, KCPPE.com

KCMO mayor, Made in KC launch portal for face masks, hand sanitizer made by more than 50 local makers

By Tommy Felts / May 7, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Kansas City’s gradual return to business doesn’t mean the need for face…

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Gabe Muñoz; photo by Ray Carrington for Forward Cities

ESHIP Communities: 10 ways Kansas City can support its businesses and entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / May 7, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is sponsored and was produced by Forward Cities, a non-financial partner of Startland News and a national nonprofit that is managing the implementation of the ESHIP Communities program as a grantee of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Any opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author. ESHIP Communities Kansas City is dedicated…

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Kaitlin Abdelrahman, On Call Halal

On Call Halal connects Muslim healthcare workers with Ramadan meals amid COVID-19 complications

By Tommy Felts / May 6, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Kansas City connections rallied around Kaitlin Abdelrahman to develop her startup offering…

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Real Report, E-Scholars

Watch UMKC’s E-Scholars Demo Day: Scrappy founders challenged by pandemic

By Tommy Felts / May 6, 2020

Entrepreneurs are needed now more than ever, said Alex Krause Matlack. “Had this year gone as normal, the E-Scholars would have held a live demo day this week for the community to showcase the hard work they put into their companies, and to give the founders access to a broader network of community members to…

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Flashcube

Inside Flashcube: Plexpod reveals new downtown luxury coworking, coliving concept 

By Tommy Felts / May 5, 2020

Plexpod is planning another coworking hub along the KC Streetcar line — this time in a downtown luxury apartment building that will be one of Kansas City’s first coliving communities. Featuring two floors of new office and coworking space, Plexpod Flashcube is already under construction within Flashcube, 720 Main St. — a nearly all-glass-facade apartment building…

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