Startups

Chris Costello, Blooom

Retirement in the palm of your hand: Blooom launching mobile app after passing $5B in assets managed

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2021

If you’re not a lottery winner, selling a business or inheriting a considerable amount of money — the only way to become financially independent and have the ability to stop working is to save … and invest, said Chris Costello. “That’s what life looks like today,” the founder and CEO of Blooom noted. “… and…

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Mitzi Dulan, simplyFUEL protein balls

Play ball! Dietician brings protein-packed treats from her kitchen to the big leagues (and she has the World Series ring to prove it)

By Tommy Felts / March 5, 2021

As simplyFUEL launches on the shelves of local Costco stores this week, the Kansas City-rolled brand of energy balls is offering customers more than a healthy option for snacking.  The woman-led company instead symbolizes a commitment to nutrition that helped fuel the Kansas City Royals through a historic World Series run and scored a health…

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David Biga, Particle Space

AI-powered Particle Space detects product validation with Liberty Mutual integration

By Tommy Felts / March 5, 2021

A new partnership between Liberty Mutual Insurance and Kansas City-built Particle Space is expected to create an entirely new service, the proptech startup announced this week.  The collaboration sees Liberty Mutual provide tenants with easily-accessible quotes for renters insurance within Particle Space’s artificial intelligence-backed building and property management platform.  “It’s now even easier for property…

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DJ Stewart, Journey Pro

Doctors gave DJ Stewart 18 months to live; His response: Build a pro wrestling stable strong enough to celebrate LGBT, BIPOC athletes

By Tommy Felts / March 3, 2021

A new era has entered the ring as an entrepreneur fights to bring inclusivity to Kansas City’s legacy-rich professional wrestling community — in the midst of an all-out brawl in his own battle against Stage 4 brain cancer.  “Everyone is welcome at our shows,” said DJ Stewart, owner of Journey Pro KC, describing the wrestling and…

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Balance The Superfood Shot Energy Blend

Putting rival energy drinks to bed: Superfood Shot launches three new flavors after doubling Amazon sales

By Tommy Felts / March 2, 2021

With sales at an all-time high for Life Equals — the maker of Balance The Superfood Shot — expanding into other areas of wellness was a natural next step, Kyle FitzGerald said, emphasizing a new blend that rivals less healthy energy drinks. “We knew we were ready for product innovation,” said FitzGerald, who co-founded the…

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