Latest Stories

Startup families: You’re not perfect

I’m not perfect. At being a father or running a startup. I’m 33 with two kids ages 7 and 5. I remember when they were younger. I would work until 3 a.m. on something I thought was extremely valuable at the time. My daughter would wake me up at 7 a.m., tugging on the sheets, “Daddy,…

Mayor Sly James commits $10K for women in business efforts

Kansas City Mayor Sly James recently announced two initiatives to benefit women in business and in science, technology, engineering and math fields. James pledged $10,000 toward the Women’s Business Center‘s “WE-Lend Microloan Program,” which supports women-owned businesses in Kansas City, Mo., through funding, technical assistance and access to a financial coach. The mayor also announced additional support for…

Google Fiber

KCK: First for Google Fiber, close to last for connectivity

Despite being the first city to land Google Fiber, Kansas City, Kan., still made the list of the worst-connected cities in 2014. Not only did the city make the list — it made top 10. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance aggregated the list from the 2014 American Community Survey data released by the U.S. Census Bureau last…

Summer fundin’ — it happened so fast

Kansas City startups snagged a load of capital over the summer. Often earmarked for product development, hiring or both, the funds represent new injections of capital that startups hope will boost their businesses to become the next big thing out of Kansas City. In total, 23 startups raised more than $56.8 million, which is not…

90 on the Clock: Rawxies’ vegan treats

90 on the Clock: Rawxies’ vegan treats By John McGrath, KCPT, and Bobby Burch, Startland News Ed’s Note: Flatland and Startland News have partnered to highlight Kansas City’s innovators and entrepreneurs, all in 90 seconds. This is the second episode in the five-part series.  Rawxies founder Callie England may best be defined by her tenacity. England, who…

Techweek commits to five more years in KC

With more than 5,000 attendees last week in Union Station, Kansas City more than doubled the expected participation in Techweek, a week-long technology conference. In fact, Kansas City performed so well that Techweek is coming back for at least five more years. Techweek CEO Katy Lynch said that the conference was anticipating about 2,500 attendees, but…

Science City at Union Station wins experience award

Science City at Union Station was named one of two worldwide recipients for a prestigious visitor experience award. The EDGIE Award, or Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award, for visitor experience was given to Science City last week by the Association of Science-Technology Centers, a nonprofit organization that represents science centers and museums. The award…

OP prescription software firm lands $2.7M

An Overland Park software company recently wrapped up a hefty funding round, according to its founder and CEO. Rx Savings Solutions, a business that works with other companies to manage employees’ monthly medications, secured $2.7 million in funding. Kansas City investors Dan Henry, CEO of NetSpend Corp., and Jeffrey Brown, chairman at StoreFinancial, led the…

LaunchKC winners reflect on ‘massive opportunity’

Once the dust settled on the LaunchKC grant recipient announcement, the champagne bottles popped. Founders from the 10 winning companies — parred down from a list of 500 — had reason to celebrate Friday afternoon between the promise of $50,000 and the chance to land some office space. Of the 10 recipient companies, six come…

Set your watch: 90 seconds with local innovators, entrepreneurs

It’s coming! Set your watch as we team up with FlatlandKC to highlight Kansas City’s innovators and entrepreneurs, all in 90 seconds. “90 on the Clock” premieres Wednesday, Sept. 23, with Callie England, founder of Rawxies, as she talks about her East Bottoms business and its raw, vegan, and gluten- and soy-free treats. The five-part series continues each Wednesday as the 90-second…