Startups

Ryan Cowdrey and Blake Herren, Raven 3D Printing

Raven’s return-to-earth science is complete, founder says; a new space accelerator will help get the KCK-built tech off the ground

A KCK startup that could revolutionize space transportation is among 14 companies selected this week for an accelerator program from Amazon Web Services that focus on “transforming the future of space for all of humanity.” Kansas City-based Raven Space Systems — led by co-founders Ryan Cowdrey and Blake Herren — is building entirely 3D printed reentry…

Tesseract earns $1.25M contract to help Space Force, military ‘predict the future’

Industry-defining tools built by Kansas City’s Tesseract Ventures will help the U.S. Space Force accurately track machines, people and objects on base, and create a clearer understanding of launch conditions through next generation data visualization, said John Boucard. Tesseract announced Tuesday that the company has been awarded a direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation (SBIR) contract…

Olathe startup remixes graduation apparel for students with hair that won’t fit the mold (or cap)

Graduation is an important time in a young person’s life, said Rashawnda Wright, noting students should look and feel their best on perhaps the biggest day of their educational careers. After watching her daughter, Myayla, struggle to wear her graduation cap atop her big, curly hair, Wright was inspired to come up with a solution….

Nonprofit shopping platform presents guardians with dignity to choose their child’s birthday gift

Birthdays are important developmental milestones, Benita Webber said, and every guardian deserves the opportunity to shop for a gift that matches the relevance of their child’s big day.  “Kids who are struggling and facing chaos every day of their lives deserve to wake up — on the day that’s most special to them — and…