News

Adrianna Stranak, Who Is She?

Sustainable style: Pop-up jewelry maker adds final touch of flare through zero-waste designs

By Tommy Felts / October 7, 2021

Everything in Adrianna Stranak’s life seems to happen a bit haphazardly, she said, laughing.  “When I started making jewelry, creating a business was not my initial goal,” shared Stranak, who teaches kindergarten in Kansas City, Kansas. “For me, I wanted these earrings that I couldn’t afford, so I made them!” As Stranak continued designing and…

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David Roberson, Azella

How $90K from Fountain Innovation Fund could help Azella reach 10,000 financial advisors

By Tommy Felts / October 7, 2021

David Roberson grew up watching his mother struggle with financial management, he shared, noting his family’s stresses could have been alleviated with the help of a financial advisor.  Combining his passions for digital marketing, web development, SEO, design and financial literacy, Roberson founded the marketing firm Azella — named for his mother.  “Azella is a…

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Letter from the editor: Every story starts somewhere

By Tommy Felts / October 6, 2021

Editor’s note: The following letter from Startland News’ editor in chief kicks off Startland News’ eight-week donor campaign seeking reader support for the nonprofit newsroom. Click here to donate. Every story starts somewhere — and today we’re asking for your help to start more. Startland News is continuing its mission in 2022 to elevate bold,…

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Juaquan Herron, Venboo; Jill Bertelsen, Crib Coaching; Jordan Williams, Veeper; and David Roberson, Azella

These eight KC tech startups are circling Pure Pitch Rally with up to $1M on the line

By Tommy Felts / October 5, 2021

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a sponsor of Startland News. As a new cohort of pitchers prepare to toss their nets toward local land sharks at this month’s Pure Pitch Rally, the addition of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a key financial backer elevates the annual competition for spot-cash funding and…

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KC’s PlaBook, Erkios selected for coveted $50K Arch Grants, boosting St. Louis startup scene

By Tommy Felts / October 5, 2021

Two Kansas City companies are expected to be part of Arch Grants’ largest-ever selection of startups, earning spots in the highly competitive St. Louis grant program’s 35-member, nearly $2 million 2021 cohort. PlaBook, an edtech reading platform, and Erkios Systems, a cybersecurity hardware startup, were announced Oct. 1 as winning candidates for the program, which…

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