News

EquipmentShare completes another $150M equity raise, building on its Series E funding

By Tommy Felts / September 13, 2023

COLUMBIA, Missouri — The latest tranche of funding for EquipmentShare puts mid-Missouri’s most earth-moving scaleup close to a half-billion dollars in funding announced over the past six months. EquipmentShare, a Columbia-based equipment and digital solutions provider serving the construction industry, on Wednesday announced it completed an extension of its Series E equity raise, led by funds…

Tesseract Ventures illuminates its work with US military, lighting new alert system for air force base

By Tommy Felts / September 13, 2023

A new military contract showcases Tesseract Ventures’ versatility and sophistication in the national security tech space, said John Boucard, touting the Overland Park-based company’s cutting-edge Alert Route Lighting System planned for MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. “Tesseract continues its focused mission to revolutionize the way people live, work, and play by developing state-of-the-art technologies…

Anonymous donor makes $50M commitment to KU School of Business; largest gift in school history

By Tommy Felts / September 12, 2023

LAWRENCE — A hefty anonymous donation is expected to transform business education and research at the KU School of Business, said Paige Fields, noting the $50 million commitment will also provide funds to advance key initiatives supporting undergraduate student success. “This transformative gift supports the School of Business’ ongoing commitment to excellence in research and…

Why the KC Pioneers refuse to stay in their lane; esports league teams with Kansas Speedway for weekend event

By Tommy Felts / September 9, 2023

First they watched from stadium seats at the speedway, then from pit road. Now the fans-turned collaborators at the KC Pioneers are on track with one of their biggest partners to date: NASCAR. Kansas City’s premiere esports league has teamed up with the Kansas Speedway to bring traditional racing and esports gaming into the same…

Plaza retailers concerned for employee safety after recent shootings, upticks in thefts, harassment at iconic KC shopping district

By Tommy Felts / September 8, 2023

No business owner should have to deal with ongoing incidents that threaten the safety of their employees and customers, Tyler Enders shared, but that’s the reality for some entrepreneurs on Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza. Employees at Made in KC’s marketplace location on the Plaza were closing up for the night Sept. 2 — the…