BacklotCars completes historic $425M exit, joining ‘power and fierce entrepreneurial spirit’ of KAR Global

By Tommy Felts | November 13, 2020

The $425 million acquisition of Kansas City-based BacklotCars is complete, nearly two months to the day it was announced.  “There is so much energy and excitement around this combination with our employees and with our customers,” Justin Davis, president and co-founder of BacklotCars, said in a release announcing the milestone acquisition’s completion Thursday by KAR…

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$425M exit: BacklotCars selling to Indiana-based auto marketplace in ‘milestone event’ for KC

By Tommy Felts | September 8, 2020

Five years after turning its ignition, Kansas City-revved BacklotCars is being acquired in a historic $425 million deal. Carmel, Indiana-based KAR Auction Services agreed to purchase the company by the end of the year, the companies said Tuesday morning. “KAR Global is the most innovative and progressive digital remarketing company in the world, and their…

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Kansas City’s Top VC-Backed Companies in 2020

By Tommy Felts | August 31, 2020

The 2020 Top Venture Capital-Backed Companies List reflects a range of success stories and COVID-era challenges among Kansas City’s community of growth-stage, venture-backed companies. [pullquote] More ahead The list of Kansas City’s Top VC-Backed Companies is the jumping-off point for a series of Startland News analysis pieces, breaking down some of the trends behind the…

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Federal relief funds open to VC-backed startups; ‘nimble’ PPP rollout praised as checks arrive in KC

By Tommy Felts | April 15, 2020

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. [divide] Sometimes a check is answer enough. While federal officials never officially…

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