News

Menufy’s online ordering platform helped restaurants survive 2020; now the KC-built company is serving a scale up

By Tommy Felts / June 15, 2021

The startup course has been cleared for Leawood-plated Menufy as the tech company emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic ready to serve its customers a new identity while doubling down on its decade-old mission to empower restaurateurs. “The pandemic initially complicated things, then accelerated things and kept things complicated. … We don’t really think of ourselves…

Read More >
Clara Biotech team

Clara Biotech hits $850K in seed funding roundup, preparing to launch first product

By Tommy Felts / June 15, 2021

An emerging biotech startup in the region is reporting a busy spring with a significant seed round already raised and key steps under way to launch its product: a solution that removes manufacturing roadblocks for breakthrough drugs. “We’re in an exciting and growing space and currently have low regulatory hurdles in the research stage,” said…

Read More >
Megan Day, Burnt Finger BBQ

KC pitmaster joins celebrity chefs in ‘BBQ Brawl’; how reality TV pulled Burnt Finger’s pork through 2020 smoke

By Tommy Felts / June 12, 2021

When Megan Day hits the screen Monday on Food Network, the Lee’s Summit pitmaster, entrepreneur and veteran of TV appearances — from BBQ battles to morning talk shows — could face her greatest challenge to date, she said. “This was a completely different style of competition,” Day, co-founder and face of Burnt Finger BBQ, said of…

Read More >
Brian Roberts, The Black Pantry, and Kearra Johnson, Studio LO; Thank You Black America

Thank you, Black America! Juneteenth pop-up rallies power of KC’s Black creatives

By Tommy Felts / June 11, 2021

A celebration of Black America — and the critical work it’s done to begin breaking systemic cycles nationwide — is expected to launch soon in Kansas City, promising to shine a light on Black-owned businesses and creators, Kearra Johnson said.  “As young, Black entrepreneurs in the city, we’ve been looking for ways to get our brands…

Read More >
Ryan Manning, Bad Rhino Studios

Bad Rhino wants to build, not exit (so investors aren’t playing): Why the fast-paced KC studio hopes to rewrite the game

By Tommy Felts / June 10, 2021

Midwest investors need to familiarize themselves with the potential waiting to play within the video game industry, said Ryan Manning, noting they otherwise risk losing out on major opportunities. “I don’t mind having those conversations and educating the parties involved,” said Manning, the founder of Bad Rhino Studios. “I think the biggest reason things need…

Read More >