Funding

Fast-growing KC startup closes $20M in Series B funding to accelerate genetic progress in cattle

By Tommy Felts / April 4, 2023

A well-muscled funding round is expected to help Lenexa-based Vytelle expand its global operations after having already scaled the agtech startup’s breakthrough in vitro fertilization, data capture, and AI-driven genetics tech to be easily accessed by more than half of the U.S. cow herd. “This is indicative of strong market interest in our products and…

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Just funded: Four new Digital Sandbox KC companies scaling products beyond survival mode

By Tommy Felts / March 30, 2023

Freshly announced funding from Digital Sandbox KC is expected to help four Kansas City startups scale their innovations to market with additional access to investors, resources and a growing network of fellow entrepreneurs. Among the first-quarter Sandbox recipients, Basehor-based Mpruv Sports plans to use the new backing as it releases a series of peer-to-peer, on-demand,…

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UMKC pitch contest returning with $90K in prizes; spots remain for emerging startups

By Tommy Felts / March 29, 2023

The 2023 edition of the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge (RVCC), an annual pitch competition hosted by UMKC, is expected to award $90,000 in equity-free funding to student entrepreneurs and Kansas City businesses. Ben Williams, managing director at the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, shared his excitement for this year’s event — set for April…

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$60K in pitch competition winnings will help Black-owned businesses drive employment, book purchases

By Tommy Felts / March 25, 2023

The owner of a mobile phlebotomy company took home the $30,000 grand prize at Friday’s We Are Black pitch competition — the first such event organized by Kansas City G.I.F.T. LaVita Green said the funding and resources from G.I.F.T. will help Caresticks Mobile Phlebotomy, which provides patients with on-site and mobile phlebotomy services, to grow…

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Devoured Pizza rising into brick-and-mortar space with elevated concept, revenue sharing campaign

By Tommy Felts / March 24, 2023

Devoured Pizza is on a mission to change the way people eat pizza in Kansas City, Jhy Coulter said, and the community has the opportunity to get involved now more than ever.  “Food in Kansas City is evolving. It’s getting better and better, and I want to be part of that. Pizza is this canvas…

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