Woman-led

Makefully Studios animation

Makefully Studios earns $1M grant for problem-solving game co-designed by kids

By Tommy Felts / September 20, 2021

A Kansas City media company’s commitment to play-based research and development recently helped score Makefully Studios a $1 million government grant for a children’s problem-solving game. “There’s no other word but proud and grateful,” said Anna Jordan-Douglass, founder and chief creative officer of Makefully Studios, which recently was awarded the funds from the National Science Foundation’s…

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Pipeline Entrepreneurs Donald Hawkins, First Boulevard, and Luke Lim, Tile Five

Pipeline pilots new ‘Pathway’ cohort to boost womxn, minority, rural founders into scaling position

By Tommy Felts / September 16, 2021

Editor’s note: Pipeline Entrepreneurs, a network and fellowship of high-performing entrepreneurs in the Midwest, is a community partner and financial supporter of Startland News. A new fellowship program designed exclusively for underserved entrepreneurs is expected to help better prepare founders who identify as womxn, minority, or are leading a business in a rural community to…

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Kharissa Forte, Grace & Grind

‘It’s not just a brand for me anymore’: How Grace & Grind put the selfless in self-care, Black wellness

By Tommy Felts / September 10, 2021

Kharissa and Wesley Forte were once on the verge of divorce.  But after deciding to give their relationship a final push, the two went to counseling. The experience was revelatory, they said, noting it ultimately prompted them to create their own online media company — Grace & Grind — to share lessons and their story with…

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Matt Lett and Jessica Teliczan, Paradise Garden Club

Welcome to Paradise (Garden Club): ‘The world might be on fire, but this plant is doing great’

By Tommy Felts / September 3, 2021

No matter the color of your thumb, Paradise Garden Club has something for all its plant fans, said Jessica Teliczan.  Housed in an airy warehouse in Crossroads, the plant nursery and community space has become a bustling spot for greenery collectors and enthusiasts. Customers can shop in store, order shippable plants online, hire the team…

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Techstars KC 2021 demo day

Techstars’ summer finale means closing investment rounds for founders, says KC leader

By Tommy Felts / September 3, 2021

Demo day is as much about looking forward as it is an examination of a startup’s journey through Techstars, Maria Flynn said, teasing new dollar deals ahead for the 2021 Kansas City cohort. “There are already a number of investment commitments coming in, so we are focused on closing the investment rounds so the companies…

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