Woman-led

Just funded: Meet the five latest startups scaling their tech, Digital Sandbox KC’s impact 

By Tommy Felts / July 12, 2022

Five emerging startups are the latest to benefit from Digital Sandbox KC’s support — investment and resources that have led to more than $200 million in follow-on funding in less than 10 years for Sandbox companies. “Without this funding, it would have taken us much longer, as the whole project is currently being bootstrapped,” said…

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Photo illustration by Joy Broils

Give yourself permission to pause the hustle; injury prompts serial entrepreneur to get grounded 

By Tommy Felts / July 9, 2022

Trauma from a brain injury after an auto accident last fall left Joy Broils downshifting her Type A personality and ambitious drive to a few hours of work each day, the entrepreneur said. The incident, however, prompted her to slow down and focus on a new startup idea: Hustle & Ground, a monthly subscription box…

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Kharissa Parker-Forte; photo by Lexi Holifield

Sometimes self-care is more about shutting down than showing out (Holistic Hustle)

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2022

Kharissa Parker-Forte is a news producer, writer, certified health coach, and columnist for Startland News.  Read her “Holistic Hustle” columns for Startland News here. When I recently made the decision to dissolve my self care brand, Grace & Grind, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make. From the outside looking…

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Rebecca MacKinnon, SoulFIRE Health, at the NXTSTAGE Community Health and Vibrancy Pilot Competition

Overland Park startup wins four pilot projects through NXTUS health competition

By Tommy Felts / July 1, 2022

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 the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…

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Connectivities by Dementia Engagement Solutions

Inside-the-box thinking: Veteran entrepreneurs craft memory care tools to engage dementia patients

By Tommy Felts / July 1, 2022

The founders of one of Kansas City’s celebrated small businesses are launching a new solution for dementia care: a curated, monthly subscription box full of themed engagement activities and tools designed to improve patients’ quality of life. Prairie Elder Care’s Michala Gibson and Mandy Shoemaker originated the idea for the Connectivities subscription tool during the…

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