AI without WiFi: Ag health innovator muzzles a gatekeeper soiling tech for rural ranchers

MyAnIML’s autonomous edge monitoring system is allowing ranchers to go (or stay) off the grid — addressing a primary barrier preventing them from adopting advanced agricultural technology, explained founder Shekhar Gupta. The Overland Park-based agtech startup — whose patented technology uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict a broad range of total health indicators…

Someone will win $1M listening to this song; how a KC artist juiced MrBeast’s cryptic Super Bowl commercial

It isn’t necessarily an official clue, but one of the many easter eggs tucked within MrBeast’s just-premiered “Million Dollar Puzzle” features a Kansas City plot twist: the “epic” cut of Cheyenne Jolene’s pop-pounding single “Juice.” Launched as part of a Salesforce ad with more than 100 million Super Bowl viewers, the commercial challenges savvy audience…

Here’s how crypto could find its way into local political candidates’ election campaigns

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Beacon, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story from The Beacon, an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism in the public interest….

Network Kansas-backed collaborators ignite new entrepreneur training in Douglas County

TOPEKA — A northeast Kansas entrepreneur training program aimed at exploring and validating new business ideas is expanding into Lawrence and Douglas County — deepening equitable opportunities and boosting regional resources, said Michael Odupitan. Organizers are widening access to the Ignite: New Venture Discovery program, through a new collaboration between the Shawnee Startups eCommunity — housed at…

First ACCEL-KS cohort funded at KU Innovation Park deepens Jayhawk, Sunflower State investments

A “3x Jayhawk” — and award-winning Kansas City healthtech founder — was among the first 16 recipients of proof-of-concept funding from ACCEL-KS at KU Innovation Park, officials announced Thursday, revealing a new Kansas-focused resource built to reduce the gap between a strong idea and a viable company. Each selected company is expected to receive $25,000 in…

Vine Street chicken and beer: Brewery adds new flavor to its neighborhood hub (and future World Cup living room)

Vine Street Brewing is cooking. The Black-owned brewery at 2000 Vine is welcoming a new restaurant partner into its space, reuniting beer and bites under one roof. The concept, Vine Street Chicken Co. Kansas City, comes through a partnership with chef Justin Clark, founder of the popular Troost Avenue culinary hotspot Urban, bringing fried and…

Finally free, but not alone: Reentry app built alongside wrongfully convicted exonerees set for release

DETROIT — A mobile-first reentry platform targeted exclusively for wrongfully convicted individuals can’t bring back stolen time after their exoneration and release, said Dylan Carnahan, but the Kansas City-built technology — co-designed with exonerees themselves — offers renewed independence in the palm of users’ hands. A Feb. 11 launch event in Detroit alongside the Organization of…

Myndset shift: Why this founder says results under pressure come from repetition, not inspiration

Now live and gaining traction, Myndset is showing early demand for what founder Craig Mason calls a pressure response operating system — built to help high performers stay steady and execute in real, high-stakes moments. Since launching Dec. 22, the Kansas City startup has attracted nearly 400 active users and 10,000 interactions, Mason told Startland…

CodeAlgo Academy hits classrooms as the edtech platform (and founder) proves independence

After years of putting the building blocks together, Triumfia Houmbie Fulks’ edtech startup has officially entered the game, the founder said, noting she launched the coding platform into area schools this fall. The move pushes Kansas City-based CodeAlgo Academy beyond beta and into real K-8 classrooms where students are actively solving problems, creating games, and…

Bracket-style startup pitch competition courts innovators, angels for March gameplay

WICHITA, Kan. — Applications are open for a statewide startup pitch competition set to return in March alongside the Big 12 men’s basketball tourney. The high-profile event connects emerging founders with angel investors and corporate innovators — and a $25,000 top prize. The Gamechangers & Champions 2026 “Bracket Bash” is planned for March 10 at the…