Startups

Wave of anti-trans bills in Midwest could turn founders (and their businesses) into political refugees fleeing MO, KS

By Tommy Felts / May 10, 2023

At 50, Suzanne Wheeler never imagined her government would propose legislation to take her health care away, she shared. In April, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced a plan to issue emergency rules on transgender care. The regulations would make Missouri the first state to severely restrict transgender care for adults, in addition to children.…

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Combat to capital: Vetelligence founder secures NMotion investment, accelerator deployment

By Tommy Felts / May 8, 2023

A Kansas City-based startup focused on guiding military service members into tech careers is among the latest companies selected for a top regional accelerator — strengthened by its founder’s own background as a veteran-turned-entrepreneur. Vetelligence — led by Zachary Oshinbanjo, who served nearly four years as an indirect infantryman and specialist in the U.S. Army…

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Donald Hawkins, KC Collective; STARTLAND's Innovation Exchange

Former KC startup acquired by Atlanta-based banking platform, uniting two of the largest Black-owned fintechs

By Tommy Felts / May 5, 2023

ATLANTA — Greenwood, a digital banking platform for Black and Latino individuals and businesses, announced this week its acquisition of Kansas City-founded Kinly — a neobank building generational wealth for Black America. The deal will help grow Atlanta-based Greenwood’s ecosystem of more than 1 million members and provide Kinly’s community of more than 300,000 with…

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End-of-life care platform wins top UMKC prize in young startup’s first-ever pitch competition 

By Tommy Felts / April 29, 2023

Serving as someone’s informal caregiver is a rewarding experience, but the pressure of being fully responsible for taking care of a loved one can take a toll on a person physically and mentally, acknowledged Nicole Staab and Rachel Blankenship. Through their startup, Rings of Care KC, they are providing support and resources for informal caregivers…

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Kin crafts flavor into hard seltzer market, targeting overlooked Black consumers looking for authentic social experiences

By Tommy Felts / April 21, 2023

The founding trio of a new hard seltzer crafted in Kansas City hopes the drink will add much-needed inclusivity to the craft seltzer space. Kin Seltzer is a collaboration between Joshua Lewis and Kearra Johnson of UpDown Nightlife, and Eric Martens of Border Brewing Company. Currently, leading seltzer brands target their marketing predominantly to white…

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