News

Alchemy Sandbox winners lean into challenge of live pitches as Porter House KC awards third-round checks

By Tommy Felts / September 24, 2022

A third round of Alchemy Sandbox winners each walked away with more than a $5,000 check this week after an intense live pitch experience for the entrepreneurs behind three Kansas City Main Street ventures and two support organizations for Black businesses. “It was interesting to see how I had all this information in my head,…

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…

Bellwethr acquired by ecommerce payments platform; merger to boost Shopify brands

By Tommy Felts / September 22, 2022

A Kansas City startup’s machine learning tech is expected to bring its new owner’s vision to reality: driving new revenue for Shopify brands plagued by churn among subscribers. Bellwethr announced the acquisition Thursday, detailing the company’s merger with Park City, Utah-based Retextion. As part of the undisclosed deal, Retextion will integrate Bellwethr’s popular churn reduction…

BacklotCars co-founder set to be honored as UMKC’s regional Entrepreneur of the Year

By Tommy Felts / September 22, 2022

A founder who helped drive one of the metro’s biggest startup exits is expected to be heralded in October as UMKC’s Kansas City Entrepreneur of the Year. Justin Davis, co-founder and CEO of BacklotCars, will take the stage Oct. 12 alongside five other honorees — business leaders who have shaped entrepreneurship, according to officials at…

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…