Innovation lab pivots to CollegeMatch tool after teens prompt developers to ditch, do-over concept

Editor’s note: Anita Newton is a board member of STARTLAND, the ecosystem building organization that operates Startland News. This story was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. [divide] Hiring a teen advisory board to assist the development of CommunityAmerica Credit Union’s new CollegeMatch tool proved helpful — though the team had to scrap everything…

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KCSF rebrands to ‘STARTLAND’ and bolsters board, reflecting maturation of organization, ecosystem, leaders say

A rebranding and name change for the Kansas City Startup Foundation will see the entrepreneurial community-building organization build on the legacy of Startland News while continuing to grow its education and talent programming. Now operating as STARTLAND, the organization still boasts its most-widely recognized programs — Startland News, MECA Challenge and Back2KC — which also have…

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CommunityAmerica innovation lab launches AI chatbot to help students complete FAFSA

A new artificial intelligence-fueled chatbot and FAFSA help site aim to digitally remove barriers faced by first-generation American students, children of divorce and others hoping to obtain financial aid to attend college. It’s about delivering peace of mind to members of CommunityAmerica Credit Union, which developed the technology, said Anita Newton, chief innovation officer for…

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Techweek 100 list released: Dozens of KC’s top cultivators, ambassadors and innovators

Techweek Kansas City on Friday released its Techweek 100 list of the premier leaders pushing innovation in Kansas City. The collection of cultivators, ambassadors and innovators is a who’s who of familiar names across the startup, entrepreneurship and tech communities. Released in the runup to Techweek KC’s Oct. 8-12 festivities, the list isn’t a ranking,…

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