News

Kauffman Foundation’s new plan for American entrepreneurs demands inclusive growth

By Tommy Felts / March 2, 2021

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. While a stimulus plan being debated by Congress includes funding to stabilize existing business — it’s not enough, the Start Us Up coalition said Tuesday, echoing a call to action by one of the nation’s leading advocates for entrepreneurs. “Congress needs…

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Fritz Hutchison at Lucia in Lawrence

KC record label sees stage lights, live music ahead — after year of virtual shows rings flat

By Tommy Felts / March 2, 2021

Local recording artists continue to hold notes of perseverance as the COVID-19 pandemic settles into its second year; one Patrick Sprehe hopes will carry a different tune for Kansas City’s talent-rich music scene.  “The pandemic really dampers our ability to be a sustainable business,” said Sprehe, co-founder of Center Cut Records, describing the era’s impact…

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Balance The Superfood Shot Energy Blend

Putting rival energy drinks to bed: Superfood Shot launches three new flavors after doubling Amazon sales

By Tommy Felts / March 2, 2021

With sales at an all-time high for Life Equals — the maker of Balance The Superfood Shot — expanding into other areas of wellness was a natural next step, Kyle FitzGerald said, emphasizing a new blend that rivals less healthy energy drinks. “We knew we were ready for product innovation,” said FitzGerald, who co-founded the…

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Christle Reed, author of "Hugs from the Sky"

Kids share burden of a sudden loss, children’s author says; New book explores healing as KC grapples with COVID deaths, violence

By Tommy Felts / March 2, 2021

More than two decades after 11-year-old Christle Reed’s father died, she still vividly remembers the day of his funeral; what she was wearing; falling asleep on the way to the gravesite; how the cemetery smelled; and understanding that her life had forever changed, she shared. “We overlook kids sometimes. I think a lot of adults…

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Riddhiman Das, TripleBlind

Investors swarm to TripleBlind’s $8.2M rapid seed round as ‘deep tech’ changes face of privacy

By Tommy Felts / March 1, 2021

An oversubscribed $8.2 million seed round means one thing for Kansas City-based TripleBlind: its data privacy solution is of critical importance, the rapidly scaling startup announced Monday. Its slate of new and returning investors agree. “TripleBlind will enable our joint customers in regulated industries to leverage enterprise data that today goes largely untapped due to…

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