Startups

Lips of Steel

Fund Me, KC: Lips of Steel gives women iron-clad smiles, healthier bodies

By Tommy Felts / January 29, 2018

Editor’s note: Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com. Today’s featured campaign — Lips of Steel — spotlights a business co-founded by Kansas City-expat Sofia Gahn, who manages social media for…

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2018 Pipeline class

Four leading Kansas City entrepreneurs among 2018 Pipeline class

By Tommy Felts / January 26, 2018

The lives of four Kansas City entrepreneurs selected for the 2018 Pipeline class are about to change forever, said Brian Handrigan, Pipeline member and co-founder of St. Louis-based Traaqr. New fellows were announced Thursday evening at Pipeline’s The Innovators gala, with 13 startup leaders from across the Midwest taking the stage as the first step…

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Pipeline celebrates Evan Luxon, Esculon

Pipeline celebrates Innovator of the Year, diversity of fellows’ firms (Photos)

By Tommy Felts / January 26, 2018

Throughout Thursday night’s The Innovators gala, alumni of the Pipeline fellowship teased that their individual classes were the best in the entrepreneur network’s 11-year history. Newcomer to the stage Evan Luxon, however, made a case for the tight-knit 2017 fellows based on the group’s perseverance. “We’re a small, but mighty class,” said Luxon, winner of…

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Brandon Williams, E-Sports Bar KC Kansas City gaming

‘Better together’: Kansas City gaming startups level up with new entertainment venues

By Tommy Felts / January 25, 2018

The eSports industry is blowing up, Brandon Williams said. And Kansas City gaming enthusiasts need places to join the party. “It’s a stereotype, but overall, gamers mostly are introverts,” said Williams, co-owner of E-Sports Bar KC in Shawnee. “It’s good to get out of the house and into a setting where there are other people…

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Joe and Toyia Mays, The Laya Center coworking spa

Ex-KC Chiefs player opens coworking spa space to boost creativity, holistic wellness (Photos)

By Tommy Felts / January 24, 2018

With long hours and potent job stresses, entrepreneurs often are more mindful of their business’s health than their own, said Joe Mays. The former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker teamed with his wife, Toyia, to open a coworking spa space within their holistic wellness venture, The Laya Center. Targeting individual and small-team innovators, the duo hopes…

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