News

Thomas Sanchez and Anthony Shop, Social Driver

DC-based digital SWAT team descends on KC as Social Driver for mission-based clients

By Tommy Felts / August 30, 2019

From being included in selfies to getting tagged on social media posts, carving a digital footprint is the best way for social movements to gain traction, said Thomas Sanchez, CEO and co-founder of Social Driver.  “We are the digital heavy hitters. I always kind of talk about us as almost being like the SWAT team…

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Jene’ Hong, E-Scholars mentor

Ego gets you in trouble — open ears get you business, UMKC E-Scholars mentor says

By Tommy Felts / August 29, 2019

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Regnier Institute, but was independently produced by Startland News. If ego runs the show, a founder won’t succeed, Jene’ Hong said as she cracked jokes laced with straightforward advice.  “If we have a big ego, we can’t listen to other people and that’s…

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Govs. Laura Kelly, D-Kansas, and Mike Parson, R-Missouri

Report: Kansas, Missouri economies hinge on homegrown startups, not border war wins

By Tommy Felts / August 29, 2019

Kansas and Missouri must “grow from within” if the neighboring states aim to successfully confront structural challenges that face their economies, said Amy Liu, a contributor at national think tank the Brookings Institution. The “historic handshake” between Govs. Laura Kelly, D-Kansas, and Mike Parson, R-Missouri, earlier this month marked the symbolic end to an ongoing…

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Mike Plunkett and John Thomson, PayIt

Payit, C2FO making biggest waves, but funding for smaller companies still jumped 81 percent

By Tommy Felts / August 28, 2019

Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of analyses of Startland’s list of Kansas City’s Top Venture Capital-Backed Companies. Proof points matter, said John Thomson. “We’re evidence — based on the $100 million-plus growth equity investment we closed this spring — that you can build a world-class tech company in Kansas City,”…

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Shampoo Bar, Bear Soap, Soap Bar

Mid Coast Modern founder joins Westport bar scene with sudsy, eco-friendly concept

By Tommy Felts / August 28, 2019

Matt Bramlette bathes in the wordplay of it all. His new venture in Kansas City’s quirky Westport entertainment district — known for its shops, restaurants and bars — floats a clean business prop: bars of soap with a low carbon footprint. Hence, “Soap Bar.” Just a few feet away from his popular retail storefront Mid…

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