News

Hunter Browning and Ben Schultz, LaborChart

Exit to watch: Top startup LaborChart sells in a deal under construction for generations

By Tommy Felts / October 22, 2021

LaborChart, one of Kansas City’s leading startups, has sold to a California-based giant in construction management — a deal that proves hard work and determination pay off, its founder said.  The startup was sold to Procore Technologies, the companies announced Friday, noting in a release the deal is expected to further innovate the world of construction…

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Bearded Fellas

Bearded Fellas shave away ‘just a doll’ — leaving the beauty of everyday magic, people

By Tommy Felts / October 22, 2021

Ali Bustos didn’t even know how to sew when she was gifted a sewing machine by her parents in 2008. More preoccupied with painting at the time, the machine sat mostly unused.  But when her first son was born, it was difficult to paint with a wiggly baby in her arms, she said.  Her yearning…

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Jeff Short, Overflow

Storytelling startup rewrites the pandemic narrative, scaling into new success, downtown space 

By Tommy Felts / October 22, 2021

Editor’s note: The following story — a spotlight on a member of the Plexpod community — is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. Stories are powerful, Jeff Short said, recalling ways his storytelling startup, Overflow, has worked to help Kansas Citians harness…

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Dan Smith and Charon Thompson, Porter House KC

Porter House KC receives $175K from JPMorgan Chase Foundation to support inclusive entrepreneurship 

By Tommy Felts / October 21, 2021

An investment by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation will help The Porter House KC fill a void in entrepreneur support programming in Kansas City, said Dan Smith. “Our goal is always to find a solution to the problem. We felt there was a gap. There was a whole population of people being missed. People who come…

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Clarence Tan and Edna Martinson, Boddle Learning

Boddle raises $1.35M with KCRise Fund on board, reaches 450,000+ students, expands team

By Tommy Felts / October 21, 2021

Editor’s note: KCRise Fund is a financial supporter of Startland News. This report was produced independently of that relationship. TULSA — As schools across the country navigate in-person and remote learning models, Boddle Learning, a math gaming platform that was founded in Kansas City continues to grow, raising another round of more than $1 million…

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