Startups

Pro Athlete

Beyond just bats: Pro Athlete takes a swing at apparel, innovation with its first acquisition

By Tommy Felts / February 8, 2020

Whether a company has just left the bench or been in the game for more than 30 years, the key to innovation is simple: maintain a startup mentality and growth is sure to follow, said Andrew Dowis.  “One of our core values is embracing innovation,” explained Dowis, CEO of Pro Athlete — a Kansas City-grown…

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ScaleUP! KC unveils cohort packed with 17 entrepreneurs, backed by new leader

By Tommy Felts / February 6, 2020

A 10th cohort for ScaleUP! Kansas City continues the program’s five-year legacy of helping entrepreneurs scale a diverse array of companies, the effort’s new leader said. “This program demonstrates over and over that you can not only start a business in Kansas City, but also that you can get all the tools, coaching, perspective and…

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Brent EuDaly, Detour Goods

Post-exit detour takes founder on a journey back to a time before plastic ruled the world

By Tommy Felts / February 6, 2020

Living as determined “plastic haters,” the husband-and-wife duo behind Detour Goods craft wooden toys as a callback to higher-quality manufacturing and a time before entertainment was dominated by technology.  “I think we’re living in a day and age where we’re just so addicted and connected to our screens,” said Jordan EuDaly, co-owner of the Kansas…

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Union Station, Kansas City

Startups, offices in path of Chiefs parade closing to party amid travel concerns

By Tommy Felts / February 4, 2020

A long-awaited parade and rally celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory is set to snarl traffic across the metro Wednesday, shutting down much of the city’s downtown-to-midtown business districts — rippling across a startup community eager to join in the fanfare. Set for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the parade is expected to draw more…

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2020 celebration photos: Startups find value in being watched — $2.6M across 520+ stories

By Tommy Felts / February 4, 2020

Editor’s note: The celebration event showcasing Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020 was sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with communities in education and entrepreneurship to increase opportunities that allow all people to learn, to take risks, and to own their success. Ten of Kansas City’s…

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