Woman-led

Meet the cohort: Founder scaling Startup Weekend’s winning idea through Columbia venture fund, studio

By Tommy Felts / May 30, 2023

COLUMBIA, Missouri — Winning Missouri Startup Weekend this spring put Chrystal Graves one step closer to revolutionizing the beauty industry, she shared, noting the victory helped secure her spot in the Scale venture fund and studio. “I have been passionate about helping salons be profitable and inclusive for a long time, but I thought building…

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They could’ve cracked into any industry; Why this dynamic team paired its talents with snacks

By Tommy Felts / May 30, 2023

A local foodie’s quest to recreate her favorite discontinued cracker led a trio of longtime friends to build their own company, serving up specialty appetizer kits that customers are savoring in Kansas City and beyond. Crackerology produces shelf-stable, gourmet appetizer and dessert kits featuring made-from-scratch crackers and cookies that can be assembled in minutes. “Yes,…

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World Cup is coming to KC (and so are the asks): How leaders must boost the region before 2026

By Tommy Felts / May 26, 2023

Kansas City is steadily growing and evolving, said Neal Sharma, making it more important than ever to engage at the community level to tackle challenges and secure opportunities facing the region. That’s especially true as Kansas City prepares for the 2026 World Cup, echoed fellow leaders who spoke Thursday at KC Rising’s Horizon 2023 event.…

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Wholesale to wholesome: This rural Kansas soapery wants you (and your dog) to feel good in your own skin

By Tommy Felts / May 26, 2023

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV), a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. PAOLA — Buying Fire Lake…

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KC Current drops apparel collaboration with streetwear brand to celebrate AAPI heritage

By Tommy Felts / May 25, 2023

A new, limited-edition collection from MADE MOBB and the Kansas City Current features designs that blend the KC streetwear brand’s icon style with input from hometown women’s soccer players Chardonnay Curran and Hailie Mace. The merchandise collaboration — a first between the two organizations — launched this week in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian…

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