News

Miguel Johns, KingFit, DiabetesCare

Kansas startup founder, Pipeline fellow among finalists in NXTSTAGE healthtech competition

By Tommy Felts / July 26, 2021

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. WICHITA…

Read More >
Neal Sharma, DEG; John Thomson, PayIt; and Thalia Cherry, Cherry Co.

Junior Achievement taps startup leaders as Hall of Fame inductees, KC Innovator winner

By Tommy Felts / July 26, 2021

The newest inductees to Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City’s Business Hall of Fame play an important role in building the metro’s ecosystem of entrepreneurship, creativity, and cooperation, said Leroy McCarty. “Our 2021 Laureates exemplify the collaborative spirit that elevates Kansas City in the world of business, philanthropy, and civic engagement,” said Leroy McCarty, chairman…

Read More >
Quinton Lucas, Kansas City mayor, Working for Youth event; Startland News photo

Initiative to employ at-risk KC youth provides jobs for 427 teens, raises $600K for stipend fund

By Tommy Felts / July 24, 2021

A community’s most impactful investment is in its youth, Mayor Quinton Lucas said Friday during a media event for the Working for Youth anti-violence and youth employment initiative.  In April, the mayor’s office announced a partnership with KC Common Good, Hire KC and Entrepreneurship KC to establish the Working for Youth program that would train…

Read More >
DJ Stewart and Hartzell Gray, Journey Pro KC

KC pro wrestling rides its return — inside Blip Roasters and fueled by founder’s recovery

By Tommy Felts / July 23, 2021

The fast-paced world of local wrestling might seem like a crazy one, but its coming return offers DJ Stewart a much-needed sense of normalcy.  “It gives me something to be really excited to work on,” said Stewart, owner of Journey Pro KC, announcing the return of the Kansas City wrestling company’s live shows, which found…

Read More >
Wes Smith and Roy Scott, Healthy Hip Hop

Music tech startup doubles crowdfunding goal with more time on the clock: It’s like having the opportunity to invest in Disney on the ground floor, founder says

By Tommy Felts / July 22, 2021

Roy Scott hopes to repeat history, he said, drawing parallels between his company’s trajectory and the opening scenes of Walt Disney’s successful career in Kansas City.  “Anybody who knows me, or does their research on me, can see that my passion and my perseverance and my whole mission is to continue pushing Healthy Hip Hop…

Read More >