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Blade & Timber, Power & Light

LOOK INSIDE: Blade & Timber raises the bar (and kitchen) with Power & Light axe throwing

By Tommy Felts / August 27, 2019

When Blade & Timber officially opens this weekend at Power & Light, the two-year-old startup concept will set a new standard for the growing experiences industry, said Jessie Poole. “We want to show people ‘This is what you should expect from an axe-throwing experience,’” said Poole, communication director for Blade & Timber. “We’ve been upping…

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Bungii

$9.4M funding round steers Bungii toward ‘biggest sharing economy footprint in US’

By Tommy Felts / August 26, 2019

A $9.4 million oversubscribed Series A round isn’t just an investor vote of confidence in Bungii, said Ben Jackson. It’s a funding fuel-up as the tech startup shifts expansion plans into high gear on the road to becoming the final link in the big and bulky supply chain. “By the end of 2021, we’ll still…

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Laura Manivong, Fattyhead Keto Crust

Fattyhead feeds demand for keto-friendly pizza crust; What’s the founder’s secret?

By Tommy Felts / August 23, 2019

Fattyhead began as a labor of love: a path toward a more healthful diet that transformed into a booming business for Kansas City native Laura Manivong. “I started feeling better, I started having energy and my body stopped hurting as much,” said Manivong, creator of her own low-carb, ketogenic pizza crust.  Manivong’s journey started 18…

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Crystal German, Prosperity Labs, Startland's Innovation Exchange

Innovation versus inclusive prosperity: Can hub developers create both in Kansas City?

By Tommy Felts / August 22, 2019

Place and prosperity go hand-in-hand, said William Dowdell. Less clear, however, is how developers and communities will strike a balance in their efforts to generate innovation and wealth in Kansas City. “Geography is a big part of this. When we talk about expanding opportunity and bringing innovation, we also have to look at those spaces…

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Jennifer Lapka, Rightfully Sewn, photo courtesy of Rightfully Sewn

Rightfully Sewn awarded first government grant to expand workforce development effort

By Tommy Felts / August 22, 2019

A $25,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration is expected to help push Rightfully Sewn closer to its goal of community impact through seamstress training. The Crossroads-based venture — with its glimmering atelier focused on economic development via the fashion industry — was among 12 winners of the SBA’s Makerspace Training, Collaboration and Hiring…

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Natalie and Bill Busch, TiScrubs, with the Royals' Sluggerrr

With an athletic look and fit, North KC’s TiScrubs aims to be the ‘Nike of scrubs’

By Tommy Felts / August 22, 2019

The endurance and durability of TiScrubs help give medical professionals servicing children the air of an athlete stepping onto the field, said Natalie Busch. Founder of the North Kansas City startup, Busch saw the need for updated medical wear when working Team Smile, a nonprofit run by her husband, Bill, which partners with sports teams…

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John Bertrand, Daupler, Techstars Kansas City 2018 Demo Day

KCRise Fund launches second fund; first investments in backstitch, Bungii, Daupler

By Tommy Felts / August 21, 2019

KCRise Fund today announced the launch of its second fund — KCRise Fund II — along with three new investments in high-growth, early-stage Kansas City tech companies. Backstitch, Bungii and Daupler are the latest startups to join the KCRise Fund family, and the first three portfolio companies for the new fund. All three are featured…

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Photo courtesy of Clever Fools

Spray can inspiration: ‘Streets wear the brand’ for graffiti-influenced Clever Fools

By Tommy Felts / August 20, 2019

It’s a brand already plastered across the Crossroads Arts District, skating with increasing reach into the broader Kansas City fashion scene, Clever Fools creator Alex Trinkle said. All courtesy of guerrilla marketing and effectively mysterious social media for the clothing line. “The streets actually wear the brand,” said Trinkle, echoing the brand’s motto. “As in…

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Matt Watson and Matt DeCoursey, Startup Hustle

Startup Hustle podcast breaks into Apple’s Top 100 with robust guest list of startup icons

By Tommy Felts / August 20, 2019

The on-air formula is as simple as the Startup Hustle podcast’s name: Match innovative personalities with compelling startup topics, said Matt DeCoursey, as the guest list count for the popular podcast now soars past 150. “The people we have had on the show — like Sandy Kemper — people like him are really intriguing,” said…

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Photo courtesy of Dimensional Innovations

How a KC design firm bottled J Rieger’s history into a distillery experience built on detail (Photos)

By Tommy Felts / August 19, 2019

Pairing a homegrown company on the cutting edge of design with the creator of “Kansas City Whiskey” was the perfect match for telling the storied history of J. Rieger and Co., said Andy Rieger. In an awe-striking ode to the company’s nearly century-old prohibition-era roots, co-founder Rieger commissioned Dimensional Innovations two years ago to craft…

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