Startups

Exporting KC to the world: Esports leader revs come-from-behind global takeover amid World Cup’s big draw

By Tommy Felts / December 6, 2025

As the metro bundled up and showed out Friday, getting its latest taste of what the 2026 World Cup has in store, the Kansas City Pioneers dropped new heat — raising the thermostat on their commitment to seize the moment brought forth by the global gathering as a net for esports.  “Now is the time for…

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How UMKC’s top student entrepreneur found shelter (and a path forward) as a founder

By Tommy Felts / December 5, 2025

Shapree Marshall’s path began with shared struggle, re-routed to survival — and ultimately made a stop Wednesday evening at H&R Block’s World Headquarters where the startup founder was honored as UMKC’s 2025 Student Entrepreneur of the Year. “My journey into entrepreneurship did not begin with a business plan or a class project,” said Marshall, founder…

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AI evolved faster than rules to protect people; this founder wants to code ethics back into the tech

By Tommy Felts / December 2, 2025

Amber Stewart sees what many overlook in artificial intelligence, she said: the human cost of unregulated technology that can manifest as anything from sexist and racist outcomes to outright theft from willing and unwilling members of the public. “I’m not afraid of the tech,” said Stewart, founder and CEO of GuardianSync. “I’m afraid of unfettered…

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How this startup (and a KC sports icon) turned young players into card-carrying legends overnight

By Tommy Felts / November 28, 2025

An Overland Park-based custom trading card company and a Kansas City soccer star are teaming up on the pitch with a goal to make youth sports fun again. Stat Legend — launched by Chris Cheatham and Nick Weaver in 2023 — created custom cards for all 250 players who suit up for the Captains Soccer…

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Scout charts pre-seed funding from Midwest investors at KCRise Fund, eGrowth Ventures

By Tommy Felts / November 24, 2025

The just-announced pre-seed round for an emerging innovator in veterinary medicine software is expected to help the Kansas City-built startup deepen its product capabilities, further strengthen its core technology, and strategically grow its team to meet rising demand. “Closing this round gives us the resources and momentum to execute on our mission,” said Dr. Gonzalo…

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