Startups

Rajesh Nair and Mani Raman, Yotabites

KC boutique big data startup Yotabites planned its big exit for 2025 — a buyer came five years early

By Tommy Felts / November 9, 2019

Starting with a laser-focus on attacking big data’s fundamental problems, Lenexa-based Yotabites is announcing its acquisition from Oregon-based ProKarma, said Rajesh Nair, noting the sale fell many years ahead of schedule for the forward-thinking startup. “It really started out as a combination of things for us: from [seeing a lack of] creativity in the big…

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Blade & Timber, Lawrence

Mass Street fire leaves future uncertain for Blade & Timber’s Lawrence store

By Tommy Felts / November 9, 2019

An early morning fire at Blade & Timber’s Massachusetts Street location in Lawrence has left the premier axe-throwing startup waiting for answers, said Matt Baysinger. “While it’s a surreal experience to learn that your business is on fire and that there’s nothing you can do about it, I’m incredibly grateful that nobody was in the…

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Roy Scott, Healthy Hip Hop

Two Kansas City startups relocating to St. Louis to cash $50K Arch Grants awards

By Tommy Felts / November 8, 2019

Two Kansas City tech startups are on the move — winning spots in the Arch Grants competition, an “aggressive effort” to build St. Louis’ startup ecosystem. Healthy Hip Hop and FastDemocracy were among 20 companies each earning $50,000 in equity-free cash grants through the selection, which also requires the startups run their businesses from St.…

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Chase McAnulty, Charlie Hustle

KC Heart adopted as region’s official symbol: Charlie Hustle founder hopes icon will join KC skyline

By Tommy Felts / November 8, 2019

Good things come to those who hustle.  “Honestly, it was a long time coming when they showed up at our office. It was almost like, ‘Where have you guys been?’” Chase McAnulty, founder and CEO of Charlie Hustle, said of a new partnership between the startup and the Kansas City Area Development Council.  The agreement…

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Eze Redwood and Aaron Fulk, Above the Fray podcast

‘Leadership is harder’: Founder duo debuting ‘Above the Fray’ in LinkedIn Live beta test

By Tommy Felts / November 6, 2019

Two influential voices in the Kansas City startup community hope their new LinkedIn Live show can inspire fellow founders to be true leaders, said Eze Redwood, co-creator of “Above the Fray.” “We want to bring in diverse perspectives from entrepreneurs in different fields that leaders would need to be successful,” explained Redwood, who unveiled the…

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