BarGlance acquires Updown Nightlife App; founder says deal will scale AI-infused tech even faster than he imagined

In a strategic move to elevate the Midwest’s nightlife scene on a national level, founder Joshua Lewis said, the Updown Nightlife app has been acquired by BarGlance, an AI-powered nightlife tech company.  The deal — valued at $5 million, Lewis said — celebrates Updown’s 10-year anniversary, marking a significant milestone for the app that put…

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Kin Seltzer marks first anniversary with strategic C-suite hire, national expansion moves

Kansas City’s Black-owned beverage brand Kin Seltzer is popping the tab on a new year of business this month with the addition of a new chief strategy officer and a new focus on expanding the canned drinks’ footprint. Quincy Crutchfield, Kin’s new executive, comes with extensive entrepreneurial experience in marketing, branding, and creative design, successfully…

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Kin crafts flavor into hard seltzer market, targeting overlooked Black consumers looking for authentic social experiences

The founding trio of a new hard seltzer crafted in Kansas City hopes the drink will add much-needed inclusivity to the craft seltzer space. Kin Seltzer is a collaboration between Joshua Lewis and Kearra Johnson of UpDown Nightlife, and Eric Martens of Border Brewing Company. Currently, leading seltzer brands target their marketing predominantly to white…

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