News

This new agrobot could be the future of farming: chemical-free and swarming in a field near you

By Tommy Felts / March 25, 2022

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. Harvesting…

11 emerging KC startups hit the road for Omaha pitch; one winner drives home with $25K

By Tommy Felts / March 25, 2022

Editor’s note: Husch Blackwell is a financial sponsor of Startland News, though this report was produced independently by the nonprofit newsroom. More than a third of competitors at the coming Get Started Omaha premier pitch event are expected to represent Kansas City innovation on stage April 6 — vying for $25,000 in prize money against…

Meta promises local jobs, impact; How its $800M plan could post growth (and disruption) to KC’s story

By Tommy Felts / March 24, 2022

There’s more to Meta’s $800 million upload into Kansas City’s Northland than face value, company officials said Thursday, outlining plans for community impact that extends well beyond anticipated tech jobs.  “We have programs that help to equip people, schools, and organizations with the resources to build skills and increase the use of technology,” Darcy Nothnagle,…

Facebook coming to Kansas City; Meta selects KCMO for massive, $800M data center

By Tommy Felts / March 24, 2022

A new hyperscale data center is expected to be operational in Kansas City by 2024 — bringing global social media and tech giant Meta to the metro and making good on promises that a Northland development could be the next great national technology hub. The Kansas City Area Development Council and its partners announced the…

New K-State president joins KC startup’s board, bringing expertise on food science, academic collaboration

By Tommy Felts / March 23, 2022

The president of Kansas State University has joined the board of directors of TechAccel, an Overland Park startup focused on scientific breakthroughs to produce healthier plants, animals and foods. Dr. Richard H. Linton, who assumed the leadership of K-State following the Feb. 11 retirement of former Richard Myers, comes with an array of experience expected…