Translating Sisterbot: KC’s cello-playing sci-fi heroine has arrived (at the speed of sound)
Sisterbot takes the cello out of the orchestra pit and puts it on the stage to rock out. Created by Kansas City musician and composer Adee Dancy, the project offers an ever-changing blend of classical strings, rock, theater and experimental sound. The only constants: Sisterbot is built upon cello and voice, reflecting Dancy’s conservatory training…
IPO alert: EquipmentShare hits Nasdaq; Missouri unicorn says its staying true to its long-term vision
COLUMBIA, Mo. — With EquipmentShare’s debut Friday on the stock exchange, the Missouri-built leader in connected jobsite technology is advancing a decade-long blueprint for its growth, as well as productivity, efficiency and collaboration across the construction industry, said Jabbok Schlacks. “Our vision since we founded EquipmentShare more than 10 years ago was to transform the…
Foodpreneur boot camp deploys ‘business in a box’ concept to prep builders for industry reality
A boot camp for Kansas entrepreneurs getting into the food industry works through a menu of resources they’ll need to turn a profit, said Tiffany Helton, emphasizing the program takes stock of business realities that might not always seem glamorous. “We get into nitty gritty — like licensing, business plan, marketing, financials, employees, company culture,”…
These 5 Kansas City area restaurants and bars are 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Some of Kansas City’s most highly regarded culinary figures are among this year’s nominees, including Helen Jo Leach and Johnny Leach…
Paramedic by day (and night), this Scream Queen fights fire with vegan ice cream
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. After putting in a 24-hour shift at Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Station 5,…
Rescuing a dream: Why Lizz Whitacre sees a future for shelter pets in Pawlytics
Lizz Whitacre grew up allergic to pets; the Midwest founder wasn’t even allowed to have dogs or cats as a child. But that didn’t stop her from fostering a deep-seated need to save them all; her Nebraska-built startup is now wagging momentum in Kansas City to help mom-and-pop boutique animal shelters streamline operations to boost…
Hawaiian Bros adds C-suite storyteller to shape how the brand scales its island-inspired restaurant concept
As Hawaiian Bros expands into new regions and scales its franchising program, the pineapple-topped, Kansas City-built brand is adding a scoop of marketing expertise to its executive leadership menu. Shannon Scott, who spent more than a decade as a marketing executive at Applebee’s before helping to lead the American Academy of Family Physicians, has been…
Serve good karma, get good karma: How Brian Roberts is keeping coffee shop’s flavor in Year 2
After a caffeinated burst of early word-of-mouth support, Brian Roberts’ new coffee and wine space near Tower East got a months-long jolt of good karma, he said — but as its newness cooled on the counter, the fledgling business began to lose its grip on thirsty customers. “It was really tough, getting people to realize…
‘Feel through it’: Danny Soriano mixes Renaissance mindset with genre-hopping setlist
Music provides more than a safe place to escape, said Kansas City-based artist and entrepreneur Danny Soriano; it’s simultaneously the space between people, and a connection that can tie them together. “It’s really important for my music to spark conversations — or create an atmosphere where people feel safe enough at my concerts to start…
Techstars returning to KC for one-night-only meetup; teasing what’s next for the global accelerator
It’s easy to take for granted just how far the Kansas City entrepreneurial ecosystem has come, John Fein shared. Kansas City-based Firebrand Ventures is teaming up with the global startup accelerator Techstars for a Community Meetup 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Grand Cafe on the Plaza. The event is free but space…
