News

KC-built Raven Space Systems awarded $1.8M contract via Air Force’s innovation arm

By Tommy Felts / November 19, 2024

A LaunchKC alum’s latest stratospheric news: a hefty U.S. defense contract to produce 3D-printed reentry aeroshells for hypersonic flight testing — a breakthrough technology that’s expected to address some of the of most pressing challenges faced by today’s Air Force. Raven Space Systems on Monday announced the $1,800,000 STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) Phase II contract.…

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SafetyCulture names new CEO as founder moves into new strategic executive role

By Tommy Felts / November 18, 2024

A global tech company with its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City is transitioning to American leadership. Kelly Vohs, a New York-based executive and former Green Beret in the U.S. Special Forces, is set to become CEO of the Australian company SafetyCulture Jan. 1 Founder Luke Anear, who long served as the rapidly scaling business’ CEO…

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GEWKC adds full day of Spanish programming to serve growing community of entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / November 18, 2024

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. Para leer una versión de esta historia en español, haga clic aquí. When Ana…

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Young mom’s apparel for crawling babies wins best fit for UMKC Side Hustle Challenge

By Tommy Felts / November 15, 2024

Riley Rhoads knows firsthand how overwhelming it is to shop for baby clothes, the University of Missouri-Kansas City student and new mother shared, so she created a product to help fellow moms. Hold Tight Baby — Rhoads’ venture that earned her first place at UMKC’s Side Hustle Challenge — makes pants for crawling babies. The…

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Investor market turns Midwest conservative: ‘Everyone here is feeling a changing landscape’

By Tommy Felts / November 15, 2024

After years of soaring valuations across the startup scene, venture firms like M25 are observing a shift to more risk-averse investors and stricter examinations of even the most-exciting company’s worth, said Abhinaya Konduru. “We’re seeing a new normal,” said Konduru, a principal on the influential Chicago-based M25 team and a panelist at Thursday’s MidxMidwest event…

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