News

Inside grantmaker’s ‘major shift’: Here’s how dreaming big could help rural communities thrive

By Tommy Felts / April 10, 2025

The Patterson Family Foundation is committed to helping rural communities in Kansas and western Missouri thrive, said Chris Harris, noting the foundation’s new grantmaking strategy expands that access more broadly across its priority region. The Kansas City-based Patterson Family Foundation — founded in 2007 by Neal Patterson, the late Cerner CEO and co-founder, and his…

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With the world tanking, this entrepreneur descaled opportunity from the bottom of your dentist’s aquarium

By Tommy Felts / April 10, 2025

Brian Blake didn’t just start Merriam-based Boodleshire Aquatics; the biologist and lifelong lover of aquatic life built it from a moment of pause. He always dreamed of turning his passion into a business — returning to water at times throughout his career — but the push to take that leap came in an unexpected way.…

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Just funded: Meet the newest Digital Sandbox KC startups to earn project innovation resources

By Tommy Felts / April 9, 2025

The latest round of Digital Sandbox KC funding reflects the region’s commitment to emerging digital health companies — as well as industry-agnostic ventures with big, bold ideas, said Jill Meyer. “These seven startups have shown they have what it takes to be pioneers in their industries, and we’re honored to be able to propel them…

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Look inside: Switchyards teases its new KC work club, sells out memberships in hours

By Tommy Felts / April 9, 2025

Switchyards’ first foray into the region — officially debuting Monday within Kansas City’s East Crossroads — is even prettier than its designers expected, Brandon Hinman said.  “And that’s a high mark,” the Switchyards creative director told Startland News. “This big, beautiful, old warehouse is a new neighborhood work club.” Atlanta-based Switchyards — a third-space workplace…

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Dual attractions at vineyard disc golf course bring hole-in-one for this Kansas entrepreneur trio

By Tommy Felts / April 9, 2025

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.  EDGERTON, Kansas — A rural Douglas County family is pairing its award-winning Kansas table wine with 18 holes of disc golf and earning national recognition in the process, Christy Fuller-Flyntz shared.…

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