All Stories

Sieo headquarters, Venice Beach, California

West Coast startup studio thinks now is the perfect time to add KC tech companies to its portfolio

By Tommy Felts / April 17, 2020

A Venice Beach, California-based startup studio wants to fund, found, and grow more startups — including those in the Kansas City area.  “When we got started, our main goal was to reduce the 90 percent failure rate of startups,” explained Austin Stofer, founder and CEO of Sieo — the California startup studio that currently boasts a 12-company…

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C2FO’s Sandy Kemper: Remote work has potential to strain communication, but fosters empathy

By Tommy Felts / April 17, 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. C2FO and the Kemper Family Foundation are financial supporters of Startland News,…

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Kyle Gardner, Manifesto, The Rieger

Rieger revolution: Why Chef Howard Hanna won’t return to ‘business as usual’ after COVID-19

By Tommy Felts / April 16, 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. This story contains some explicit language. As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis crept into…

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Charles Reilly, Mason Mullenioux, and Aaron Hawkey, Generation Esports co-founders

Esports trendsetters launching Social Distancing Open as gaming champs fire back at COVID-19

By Tommy Felts / April 16, 2020

Opportunities to connect are in high demand and video games could score relief in a level of life that’s been suddenly planked by intense isolation, said Mason Mullenioux.  “Esports kind of lends itself to a situation like this,” Mullenioux, co-founder of the Kansas City-based High School Esports League, said of the coming Social Distancing Open…

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Mike Parson, Missouri governor

MTC forced to surrender entire $2.9M budget — including funds already awarded to startups — to help MO pay for COVID-19 shortfall

By Tommy Felts / April 16, 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. A critical funding tool for Missouri startups could become the latest casualty…

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The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman officials: None of us can survive — or solve — COVID-19 small business challenges alone

By Tommy Felts / April 16, 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. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News.  Entrepreneurs…

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Boulevardia 2019

Boulevardia music, maker, ‘taps and tastes’ festival canceled as COVID-19 restrictions extended

By Tommy Felts / April 15, 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. One of Kansas City’s premiere public showcases of music, makers, beer and…

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Federal relief funds open to VC-backed startups; ‘nimble’ PPP rollout praised as checks arrive in KC

By Tommy Felts / April 15, 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. Sometimes a check is answer enough. While federal officials never officially clarified…

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Travis Holt, Brush Creek Partners

Businesses are already claiming COVID-19 damages — Will insurance companies step up?

By Tommy Felts / April 15, 2020

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the authors’ alone. Travis Holt is CEO and co-founder of Brush Creek Partners, a risk management consulting firm and full service brokerage. The current coronavirus, COVID-19, has already had a significant impact on businesses and there is uncertainty about how long the impact will be felt. …

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Clarence Tan and Edna Martinson, Boddle

Boddle dials into another $100K from AT&T to boost gamified learning at home

By Tommy Felts / April 15, 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. Homebound students taking advantage of Boddle’s gamified edtech platform have helped the…

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