Funding

John Styers, Transportant

Wichita VC backs two KC startups: ‘Great companies can be built in crazy economic times’

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Despite a global pandemic, Wichita-based Accelerate Venture Partners closed nearly as many…

OYO Nova Gym

This KC-created handheld home gym just became the highest-funded fitness product ever on Kickstarter

The OYO Nova Gym passed a massive crowdfunding milestone Saturday morning — raising $1.6 million in pre-sales for the Kansas City company and becoming the most-funded fitness product in Kickstarter history. And OYO’s campaign still has a month to go. “The OYO team has worked hard to develop fitness devices that fit in anyone’s lifestyle,”…

LEANLAB secures $460K to help schools buy devices, WiFi hotspots for students sidelined by COVID-19 

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Kansas City’s digital divide will soon be narrower thanks to a LEANLAB…

Mike Parson, Missouri governor

MTC forced to surrender entire $2.9M budget — including funds already awarded to startups — to help MO pay for COVID-19 shortfall

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. A critical funding tool for Missouri startups could become the latest casualty…

Federal relief funds open to VC-backed startups; ‘nimble’ PPP rollout praised as checks arrive in KC

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Sometimes a check is answer enough. While federal officials never officially clarified…