Woman-led

LISTEN: Fermenting a clean future through products from meat alternatives to skin creams and baby formula

By Tommy Felts / September 13, 2025

On this episode of Startland News’ Plug and Play Topeka founder podcast series, we chat with Francesca Gallucci of Natáur, a Baltimore-based biotech company that’s reimagining how essential nutrients are made. Combining synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and eco-friendly fermentation, they’re producing bio-based taurine (and other naturally occurring sulfur compounds) without relying on petroleum. Gallucci takes…

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Gatekeepers hate to see them coming: Why Back2KC leaders think these outsiders could be the next best Kansas Citians

By Tommy Felts / September 11, 2025

A Kansas City homecoming movement with a track record of sparking real relocations and startup investment is gearing up for its annual gathering — welcoming expatriates and newcomers alike as it seeks to deepen ties between the city and its far-flung alumni. But the program’s high-octane leader insists the work of Back2KC isn’t just about…

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Reservation for 650,000: KC’s hospitality industry braces for World Cup workforce scramble

By Tommy Felts / September 11, 2025

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Beacon, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story from The Beacon, an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism in the public interest.…

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From ravioli to revenue: How Pasta La Fata became a fresh pasta powerhouse in mid-Missouri

By Tommy Felts / September 5, 2025

Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. COLUMBIA, Mo. — Michelle “Shelly” La Fata built Pasta La Fata with…

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Alex Krause Matlack, director, Entrepreneurship Scholars, UMKC

E-Scholars rebrands, extending Regnier legacy deeper into influential UMKC accelerator

By Tommy Felts / September 3, 2025

E-Scholars — the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s flagship accelerator program — isn’t going anywhere, Alex Matlack shared, but it is getting a rebrand. After listening to feedback from alumni, mentors, and community members, the program formally known as Entrepreneurship Scholars is now the Regnier Venture Accelerator, joining the likes of the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge…

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