Woman-led

This weekend only: Festive balloon wonderland inflates holiday spirit at 18th and Vine

By Tommy Felts / December 2, 2022

More than 125,000 biodegradable balloons are lifting holiday spirits this weekend in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. The Big Balloon Build — an international festival — is popping up Dec. 2-4 at the Gregg/Klice Community Center. Led by Peyton Westfall and Darren Huffman of Kansas City’s Pop Culture Sculptures, more than 70 balloon…

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Vytelle doubles its bovine IVF lab capacity; outpacing goals since its $13.2M round

By Tommy Felts / December 1, 2022

A five-year plan initiated by Vytelle’s Series A funding round called for the agtech startup to double its laboratory capacity to produce bovine embryos through in vitro fertilization. Just a year later, the Lenexa-headquarted company already has opened its fifth new lab. Vytelle’s latest facility — in Franklin, Tennessee — is accessible to beef and dairy…

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Feds award KCK college $745K+ to boost 30 low-income STEM students working toward biology degrees

By Tommy Felts / December 1, 2022

A National Science Foundation grant is expected to support the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income STEM students, said U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, announcing the award. Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) is set to receive $745,635 to fund scholarships — over the next five years — for 30 full-time students who are pursuing a…

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How this homegrown leader is steering a $2B Australian startup’s KC HQ (and 100+ workers) deeper into the Americas

By Tommy Felts / November 29, 2022

Kylie Uvodich quickly wondered if she’d made a mistake after joining SafetyCulture in 2017, she said. “When I first came over [to SafetyCulture], I thought, ‘What the hell am I getting myself into? I’ll sit here and learn some things for a couple months, and then I’ll get on to my next thing,’” Uvodich recalled.…

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Shop Small: 5 gifts made locally that don’t scream ‘Kansas City’ (KC Gift Guide)

By Tommy Felts / November 26, 2022

Editor’s note: This feature is the fifth in Startland News’ five-part holiday gift guide showcasing Kansas City makers and their products. Check out the featured maker below, then keep reading for five gift ideas to get started. It’s only fitting that Whitney Manney’s favorite Christmas gift memory comes packed with references to her future fashion…

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