Funding

Vibrant clothing, mission guides socially focused startup By Grace Designs

A social impact firm with the mission to empower women in Ghana and India recently beat out more than 40 other firms to win the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge, earning it $20,000.  Co-founded by Emily Moon and Kelsey Carlstedt in 2015, By Grace Designs is a nonprofit that sells handmade, culturally-authentic clothing online, offering vibrantly…

KCultivator Q&A: Prep-KC CEO Susan Wally on environmentalism, horseback riding, urban edu

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a new, lighthearted profile series we’re kicking off to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check out our first profile with Donald Carter here.  You may know Susan Wally as CEO of the education nonprofit Prep-KC, a member of KC Rising’s Human Capital committee or as a board…

Anywhere Cup Holder

Fund Me, KC: The Fishing Caddy aims to hook good times for family, friends

Editor’s note: Startland News is continuing its new segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses.  This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com  Who are you?…

Mid-America Angels makes 5 new investments, setting record pace

The Mid-America Angels Investment Network is maintaining its fast dealmaking pace in 2017. Based in Fairway Kan., the network recently closed on more than $1 million of investments, putting it on pace to once again exceed its annual investment totals. The new deals bring the value of the group’s total investments in 2017 to over…

New Lean Lab approach hopes to better position ed tech startups

With applications now open for the incubator’s fourth cohort, the Lean Lab hopes a pivot in its approach will foster more savvy education startups. Offering office space, mentorship, direct access to area school systems and up to $35,000 in support, the Lean Lab will soon select five promising education tech startups from around the world…