Education

Jackie Nguyen, founder and owner of Cafe Cà Phê, and her team accept first-place honors in the James and Rae Block Kansas City Startup Awards at the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge

Competition opening its call for startups to pitch at UMKC (founders who’ve finished growing need not apply)

By Tommy Felts / January 28, 2025

UMKC’s support for entrepreneurship doesn’t stop at the edge of campus, said Adam Larson, detailing plans for another startup competition between established Kansas City companies during this spring’s Regnier Venture Creation Challenge. Non-student-led companies with headquarters in Kansas City are eligible to compete in the James and Rae Block Kansas City Startup Awards. Applications open…

Read More >

K-State opens physical innovation hub space to boost research, economic development

By Tommy Felts / January 21, 2025

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.  MANHATTAN, Kansas — A newly unveiled collaborative office space at Kansas State University  is expected to catalyze research commercialization, industry partnerships and economic growth, said Richard Linton.  “This new space…

Read More >

Kansas City jazz swings harder: How KU is building on the city’s historic musical legacy

By Tommy Felts / January 21, 2025

Editor’s note: This article was written for a class at the University of Kansas’ William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and distributed through the Kansas Press Association. Icons like Charlie Parker and Count Basie define Kansas City’s jazz legacy. But today’s contemporary artists — such as Blue Noyes and Nic Weaver —…

Read More >

A formal degree in crypto? KC Futures DAO spearheads globe-spanning blockchain education collaboration

By Tommy Felts / December 12, 2024

A trend-setting new partnership between Kansas City blockchain visionaries, local digital innovation advocates and global thought leaders at the University of Nicosia of Cyprus could bank tech-forward thinkers a new degree of expertise: think a master’s in crypto. The opportunity comes as the KC Futures DAO, KC Digital Drive (KCDD) and the University of Nicosia…

Read More >

Side hustle to help autistic adults belong in the workplace earns young founder Student Entrepreneur of the Year honor

By Tommy Felts / November 22, 2024

Grace Kertz is redefining what workplace inclusivity can look like with Sensory Sync, an AI-powered platform designed to support neurodivergent employees. Her work on the innovative venture on Thursday earned her the title of UMKC Student Entrepreneur of the Year. “Sensory sync is an enterprise grade DEI and wellness platform sold to companies. It utilizes…

Read More >