Profiles

Restaurant, Pub and Games (RPG), Lawrence

Inspired by life-or-death resiliency, RPG turns to take-home game rentals, crowdsourced investors

Editor’s note: This article is underwritten by Plexpod — a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes — but was independently produced by Startland News. Stories from Nate Morsches’ grandfather sounded like plot lines in an Indiana Jones film, the Lawrence entrepreneur recalled; only the tales he heard…

Rob Wilson and Michael Wilson, A-10

Budding family business: Serial cannabis entrepreneur pioneers microwave drying tech with his father

In Michael Wilson’s childhood, he recalled, the founder of multiple cannabis-related startups got into fights at school — then suspended — resulting in numerous car rides with his father as the elder Wilson ventured on sales trips. “From age 7 or 8, I had an education on how to do business, interact with people and…

Kenzen team, pre-COVID-19 pandemic

Kenzen finds capital in Kansas City as market for startup’s speciality wearables heats up

Editor’s note: This article is underwritten by Plexpod — a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes — but was independently produced by Startland News. Take a closer look, Heidi Lehmann urged, detailing her once-outsider’s view of Kansas City and ways it revealed a robust and evolving pipeline…

Jonaie Johnson, Interplay, University of Missouri-Kansas City

UMKC’s top student entrepreneur has a not-so-secret play: Startups are a team sport

Editor’s note: This article is underwritten by Plexpod — a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes — but was independently produced by Startland News. From crafting custom-made bracelets in elementary school to prepping the launch for the world’s first interactive dog crate, Jonaie Johnson said she’s wanted…

Jim Atwater and Scott Brouillette, InReturn Strategies

No more band-aid solutions or pats on the back: How one firm connects companies, people with disabilities

Editor’s note: This article is underwritten by Plexpod — a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes — but was independently produced by Startland News. What might seem like an obvious truth to some employers — that people with disabilities need extra help, becoming a drag on productivity…