News

The Innovation Studio, Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise and Research Center, UMKC

UMKC unveils innovation studio, inviting students, entrepreneurs to collaborate within $32M research center

By Tommy Felts / September 29, 2021

In a hiring environment where college graduates are expected to possess honed skills for even entry-level positions, a state-of-the-art innovation studio in the heart of Kansas City allows students access to technology to actually build products within their chosen professions. “We have never had a facility like this — with the diversity of equipment and…

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Carla Harris, Morgan Stanley

An absent-minded workplace gaffe, a nationwide Starbucks controversy; why the CEO ‘leadership jersey’ demands fearlessness on diversity, inclusion

By Tommy Felts / September 28, 2021

Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by Morgan Stanley, a New York-based multinational investment bank and financial services company, and is a follow-up to this summer’s “Nothing to Fear” virtual panel discussion on diversity and inclusion efforts. The conversation was led by Carla Harris, vice chairman and managing director at Morgan Stanley, with moderator Channa…

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Kerryann Kocher, Vytelle

Fulcrum herds oversubscribed $13.2M round for KC cattle tech startup with KCRise Fund, iiM in the corral

By Tommy Felts / September 28, 2021

A Kansas City-based precision livestock company will use its fresh Series A funding harvest to accelerate genetic progress and sustainably deliver more protein with fewer inputs, its top executive announced Tuesday. “Our mission is clear, and we are grateful for the support of our investors who join us on our journey to ensure meat and…

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Justin Smith and Dan Millman, All Clear Dryer Vent Cleaning

Airtasker fills Zaarly footprint, launching in KC (and bringing back gigs for local ‘Taskers’)

By Tommy Felts / September 24, 2021

Airtasker announced this week the fast-growing Australian tech company with global aspirations has officially launched its U.S. presence via the Kansas City market — alongside pushes in Dallas and Miami — making good on plans shared with Startland News in June Next up: Atlanta, later this year. The news comes about four months after Airtasker — an…

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The Patron Saint of Firebrand, Firebrand Collective

New look, renewed outlook: Women-powered Firebrand Collective bringing coworking back to West Bottoms

By Tommy Felts / September 24, 2021

A revamped Firebrand Collective is relaunching Oct. 1 in the West Bottoms after two months of extensive upgrades and renovations at the woman-focused coworking location, its owner announced Thursday. The hiatus allowed time to transform Firebrand from a coworking “space” to a coworking “community,” emphasized Megan Adams, founder and head of community at Firebrand Collective.…

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