News Stories

Heather Decker and A.J. Mellott, Ronawk

Voting now open: Startup’s stem cell scaling solution vies for ‘Coolest Thing Made in Kansas’

An Olathe biotech lab is once again growing “Coolest Thing Made in Kansas” honors with its breakthrough technology to help researchers produce stem cells at a massive scale to help fight pandemics and global diseases. T-Blocks were announced Tuesday as one of the Top 32 contenders in the Kansas Chamber’s annual Kansas-made tournament, which highlights…

Jeremy Elias, TrackMy Solutions

KC startup releases ‘eVaccine passport’ with state registry verification, alerts for booster shots

Employers and event organizers hoping to promote safety amid the flourishing Delta variant and the threat of fraudulent CDC vaccine cards have a new tool, said Jeremy Elias, announcing a Kansas City-built solution to track and confirm individuals’ COVID-19 vaccine statuses. TrackMy Verivax empowers businesses to capture data, track compliance, report on vaccine administration and…

Arvelisha Woods and India Monique, Mattie’s Foods

A Bible parable helped connect vegan foods to Made in KC cafes; here’s how two sisters planted the seed

Now served at Made in KC cafes across the metro — from the brand’s popular marketplaces to the new Outta the Blue oasis and downtown trolley cafe — vegan goods from Mattie’s Foods arrive on plates thanks to growing hunger for more healthy options, as well as the wholesome ingredients of a community-built business. Between…

Sherri Corwin, Mixed Mutt Creamery

Midtown ice cream shop for pups churns out treats, therapeutic ‘doggo date’ spot for pets, people

Bad days especially call for ice cream, Sherri Corwin said, recalling one of her favorite self-care rituals and the way it became her freshly creamed, Midtown-scooped startup — a venture that’s left tails across the metro wagging for waffle cones.  “People really do love their pets,” said Corwin, who in February opened Mixed Mutt Creamery —…

Faye Steiner-Woods, Red Hare Leather

How an artisan leatherworker in KC’s historic northeast is making space for more than a hobby

Faye Steiner-Woods returned from a trip to Brooklyn, New York, inspired — eager to prove quality doesn’t have to mean expensive when creativity is used as currency.  “I wanted to purchase this really expensive, $50 keychain, and it just seemed ridiculous,” Steiner-Woods laughed, recalling their impulse to buy — and the origins of a business venture,…