Minority-Led

SnapIT acquires fellow minority-, woman-owned tech company, expands customer footprint into government solutions

By Tommy Felts / June 1, 2021

SnapIT Solutions is scaling once again, announcing Tuesday the acquisition of a Lawrence-based tech company with a more-than-40-year legacy.  The Overland Park-based solutions and training company formally completed its purchase of A.S.K. Associates last month, signaling a path of steady and continued growth for SnapIT and the end of an era for the acquired company…

Top young startups, makers, woman-owned companies vie for ‘Emerging Business’ honors

By Tommy Felts / June 1, 2021

More than a dozen startups and small businesses are now finalists for the Kansas City chamber’s Emerging Business Award, vying for recognition amid a field of promising homegrown contenders. Among them: two of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2021, a handful of young businesses recently profiled by the publication for showing their…

Mr K contenders: KC chamber reveals 10 finalists for Small Business of the Year award

By Tommy Felts / May 28, 2021

Ten Kansas City companies — ranging from tech startups, apparel and experience brands to standout, hands-on small businesses — are officially in the running for the Chamber’s top honor: the prestigious Mr. K award. The finalists were announced Friday morning on social media with surprise reveals filmed Thursday alongside media sponsor Startland News, following a…

How a climate tech startup made its footprint in KC, but found its footing in a two-city solution

By Tommy Felts / May 27, 2021

When the City of Kansas City, Missouri, came looking for ways to combat climate change in 2018, Sunny Sanwar raised his hand with a solution.  “There’s a lot of extremely useful models in academia, [but they] oftentimes don’t solve for commercial viability. They’re solving to appease peers or for publishing in top journals,” said Sanwar,…

R3AL potential: Why Suli4Q’s work in KC doesn’t stop with the final track on his Top 10 hip hop album

By Tommy Felts / May 25, 2021

A wildly successful 2020 for indie performer Suli4Q wouldn’t mean as much if the entertainer, entrepreneur, and evangelist for Kansas City prosperity didn’t also focus on impact in the real world, he said. “In my journey, my biggest goal in reaching my full potential is being able to visibly see the changes that I’m having…