News

Lisa Bledsoe, Tea-Biotics Kombucha; and Hunter Dozier, the Kansas City Royals

Tea-Biotics opens ‘world’s-largest kombucha taproom’ with 32 flavors, Royals flare

By Tommy Felts / September 24, 2019

The strength of Tea-Biotics’ new, world’s-largest kombucha taproom lies in its bold flavors — and a lot of them, said Lisa Bledsoe. “How good is fresh-pressed, organic blueberry? It’s great for you! It’s full of antioxidants,” said Bledsoe, founder of Tea-Biotics Kombucha, referencing just one of 32 variations on tap at the Olathe taproom. “How…

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Hiroshi Nerima, Nabtesco Technology Ventures; Barbara Burger, Chevron Technology Ventures; Jeff Kostos, Spear Power Systems; and Gina Domanig, Emerald Technology Ventures

Global, KC investors charge Grandview-based battery innovator with 8-figure funding round

By Tommy Felts / September 24, 2019

A Grandview-based leader in battery technology is building a charge for expansion as Spear Power Systems announced this week an eight-figure funding round with world-spanning reach and headline-grabbing international investors. “We are pleased with the quality and synergy of the syndicate,” said Jeff Kostos, president and CEO of Spear. “This investment enables Spear to scale…

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Play It Forward reunites South Kansas City-inspired brands, startup leaders

By Tommy Felts / September 21, 2019

A bright and sunny pre-autumn day silhouetted the shadows of basketball fans lining up last weekend to enter Smith-Hale Middle School. As the smells from a food truck and sounds of laughter filled the parking lot, players inside readied themselves for a South Kansas City showcase. “We wanted to involve many entities that are directly…

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Joni Cobb, Pipeline, photo by Lane Hickenbottom

Climbing mountains in the Midwest? Exiting Pipeline leader eyes next big challenge

By Tommy Felts / September 21, 2019

A desire to move mountains is driving Joni Cobb to move on from Pipeline — her family of 13 years.  “I’ve been thinking about it for many years … not because I don’t love what I do. I love what I do [with Pipeline],” said Cobb, president and CEO of the Midwest-based accelerator and entrepreneur…

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Tina Peterson, Sprint Accelerator

KCultivator Q&A: Tina Peterson turned a career stop into a platform to accelerate dozens of startups

By Tommy Felts / September 19, 2019

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. Living in Kansas City couldn’t have been further from Tina Peterson’s mind…

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