Storytailor

Recent Articles by Storytailor

PlaBook to compete for $1M in prizes at world’s largest pitch competition for edtech startups

February 1, 2022

Fresh off its selection to Pipeline’s latest fellowship, a Kansas City edtech startup is now set to compete at The Elite 200 as a semifinalist in The GSV Cup — representing top pre-seed and  seed stage startups in digital learning across the “Pre-K to Gray” space. KC-based PlaBook is set to vie for $1 million…

C2FO closes $140M funding round amid record growth, expanded focus on underserved companies

February 1, 2022

Editor’s note: C2FO is a financial supporter of Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Kansas City fintech powerhouse C2FO grows best when it’s accelerating access to capital for those traditionally underserved by the banking industry, said Sandy Kemper, announcing a $140 million funding round for the Leawood-based company. Led by Third Point Ventures — a multi-stage investor…

Joining 500 Global’s Japanese accelerator will test KC proptech startup’s market fit for Asian expansion

February 1, 2022

Access to acceleration has been unlocked, David Biga said, announcing Particle Space has joined a newly launched accelerator program from 500 Global that could give rise to a fully functioning startup ecosystem in Aichi, Japan — while helping the startup further realize its own potential.  “One of the things we’ve been exploring with our API services…

Accelerator taps first 7 startups to help bring KC back from the edge of global health crisis

January 28, 2022

Seven Kansas City tech startups have taken the leap to launch new technologies and startups in response to challenges posed by COVID-19 — and have received technical and financial assistance through Comeback KC Ventures to accelerate their efforts.  “These innovations were conceived after two years of the coronavirus pandemic revealed and ignited a need for…

How two college students are bringing the fight to Jeff Bezos as supply chain breakdown rages

January 28, 2022

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. MANHATTAN…

Bash crashers: Airbnb stopped 1,700 suspected parties in KC amid 2021 variant surges

January 28, 2022

Airbnb’s ban on booking spots for house parties prevented hundreds of spreader events across Kansas City — especially impactful over holiday weekends known disruptive behavior, the company said Friday. First introduced in summer 2020 to prioritize public health in the early days of the pandemic, Airbnb’s ban included new tech systems on the short-term rental platform…

Meet the new 2022 Pipeline fellows building ‘breakout’ startups and poised for rapid scale

January 27, 2022

Persistence frequently pays off, said James West, reacting to his selection for Pipeline’s latest fellowship. The Lawrence biotech founder applied to join the elite entrepreneur network off and on since 2011 — and is now among 13 new fellows. “To finally get accepted is recognition of the work and progress I’ve made in the last few…

Overlooked to booked: How 12 founders are opening the gate to scaling success through Pipeline Pathfinder

January 27, 2022

The idea that someone else sees Fresh Factory KC’s potential still seems remarkable for India Wells-Carter, she said Thursday as Pipeline unveiled her business as one of 12 selected for its first-ever Pathfinder cohort — an entryway into its elite network for often-overlooked entrepreneurs. “I know I believe in my company, but it feels great to…

Pipeline unveils first-ever double cohort in bid to develop region’s next great serial entrepreneur

January 27, 2022

Twenty-five founders are entering the Pipeline network this week, Melissa Vincent said Thursday, revealing the newest additions to its elite fellowship, as well as the just-debuted Pathfinder cohort for earlier-stage, underserved entrepreneurs. “We were blown away by the response,” said Vincent, executive director of Pipeline, noting the fall 2021 recruiting period was the most vigorous…

10-year plan to create more ‘equitable downtown’ would remove interstates, make way for ballpark in city’s core

January 27, 2022

Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by CityScene KC, an online news source focused on Greater Downtown Kansas City. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for the weekly CityScene KC email review. A strategic plan that encompasses neighborhoods more than a mile from the skyscrapers of its central business district and…