Funding

Just funded: Trio of startups join Digital Sandbox KC, emerging onto competitive innovation scene

By Tommy Felts / September 30, 2025

Not only will proof-of-concept funding from one of Kansas City’s most pivotal startup supporters help CEO Gharib Gharibi rapidly iterate development of his company, the Archia founder said; Digital Sandbox KC connects him to a thriving local tech ecosystem at a crucial inflection point for his artificial intelligence-based solutions. “We are excited to leverage both…

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Check out the entrepreneur winners of this library pitch competition (and beyond-the-shelf resources)

By Tommy Felts / September 27, 2025

Overwhelmed and excited to make a bigger impact, Rasheedah Villarreal expressed joy and gratitude Thursday after her name was announced as the top winner among a wide-ranging catalog of entrepreneurs pitching for cash prizes, community support, and serious momentum. Her business, Social Emotional Yoga with Mrs. V, also earned “Crowd Favorite” honors, sending the founder…

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Crypto investment startup checks in with $300K deposit from Hilton Family Office

By Tommy Felts / September 24, 2025

A strategic partnership with the Hilton Family Office is expected to help Kansas City-based Technology Labs on its mission to protect and educate new investors in the crypto jungle, shared co-founder Travis Wright. The startup announced Tuesday that Hilton Finance — the lending and investment division of the boutique family office with deep ties to…

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Meet the competition: AltCap Your Biz unveils finalists for pitch event, $60K in awards

By Tommy Felts / September 23, 2025

A popular fall pitch competition for emerging entrepreneurs is returning to Union Station in November with AltCap today announcing 10 finalists for $60,000 in cash prizes — ranging from Kansas City’s first mobile matcha cart to specialty wellness retailers and a dog toy innovator. “The AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition is so much more than…

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‘The American dream is the Midwest’: LaunchKC powers next generation of startup job creators

By Tommy Felts / September 19, 2025

Editor’s note: The following is part of an ongoing feature series exploring impacts of initiatives within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City through a paid partnership with EDCKC. Relocating to Kansas City after winning a LaunchKC grant — and the community and infrastructure support that comes with it — gives Russel Karim’s startup a centralized…

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