Minority-Led

Tech piloted in KC classrooms went viral, now Boddle has raised $3M in seed funding

By Tommy Felts / September 23, 2022

TULSA — Funding for its rapidly scaling education gaming platform is expected to fuel Boddle Learning’s nationwide growth, as well as help the startup expand its product offerings outside of math and develop new interactive multiplayer experiences. “It’s always been one of our goals to inspire learning anywhere,” said Edna Martinson, co-founder of Boddle, describing…

His fitness app pays users to workout, but what they really want is body transformation, founder says

By Tommy Felts / September 22, 2022

Jasper Sanders founded Deposit The Work to incentivize users to stick with their fitness goals, he shared, but now he’s emphasizing accountability with the app’s latest feature. “The whole idea behind CoachConnect+ is providing a platform for individuals who are stuck on their fitness journey, unsure on where to start, [or] don’t know how to…

Troost coffee shop ‘broken into pieces’ by collision; caffeinated supporters jump to action   

By Tommy Felts / September 21, 2022

A community of customers and neighbors is rallying behind Anchor Island Coffee this week after a pickup truck barreled into the front entrance of the tropical-themed breakfast spot at 41st and Troost. Fortunately no one was injured in the after-hours incident, said co-owner Armando Vasquez, who noted he was the last person to leave the…

Google’s $100K ‘stamp of approval’ for PlaBook reads like validation for KC-built edtech startup

By Tommy Felts / September 16, 2022

Kansas City expatriate PlaBook is set to receive $100,000 from Google’s initiative to provide funding to Black-led startups. But for Philip Hickman, it’s not just about the funding, he said. It’s also a credibility boost. “We were happy to receive an investment from Google,” the edtech startup founder said. “It’s a stamp of approval to…

KC’s first Hispanic beer company craft-brews conversations beyond stereotypes

By Tommy Felts / September 14, 2022

Defining his own cultural identity has been a lifelong struggle for Damon Arredondo, the longtime brewer said. Coming from a mixed-cultural background, Arredondo often felt as if there was “a checklist” that decided whether or not he was able to identify with his heritage, he shared.  “Only recently in the last five year have I…