Elyssa Bezner

Reporter

Recent Articles by Elyssa Bezner

Chicken Laab & Hearty Yellow Curry, Anousone, Strang Hall

Adapting, but preparing for the worst: Curbside KC site helps restaurants pivot to takeout-only mandate

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. Kansas City’s restaurant scene already is struggling amid Coronavirus (COVID-19)…

Clarence Tan and Edna Martinson, Boddle

Boddle offers free access to its edtech platform as remote learning surges during COVID-19 school shutdown

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. Widespread school shutdowns because of Coronavirus (COVID-19) doubled Kansas City…

Kaylee Chappelow and Rebecca Burney, RiskGenius

Chit chat on the elevator? RiskGenius targets missing ‘adulting’ soft skills with event series

College curriculum often falls short of the crucial soft skills to get young entrepreneurs from coffee chats to the head of the table, said Kaylee Chappelow.  “I don’t want to say college sucks … but I think we all agree that it doesn’t touch on the soft skills,” laughed Chappelow, customer success manager at insurtech…

Megh Knappenberger super bowl confetti

Megh Marks History: Artist crafts Chiefs-inspired painting from on-field Super Bowl confetti

While most Kansas Citians were shouting from the rooftops in the seconds after the Chiefs Super Bowl victory, Megh Knappenberger was quietly writing down on the back of a grocery list an idea to capture the joyous spirit of the big win through artistic expression.  “I saw the confetti raining down on the players and…

Jack Schraad, Brad Garlinghouse, Nathan Nichols, Mason Qualls, Daniel Jones, Craig DeWitt, and Pat Thelen; Ripple and KU Blockchain Institute

Startup Road Trip: Student-led KU Blockchain Institute has high-tech dreams with graduation nearing 

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. LAWRENCE…

Juaquan Herron

‘Scarlet Knight’ cuts through comic book stigma with real-life entrepreneur, brand crossovers

Continuing his comic book quest to capture the realities of urban life, Juaquan Herron returns to drop the Scarlet Knight’s second volume — this time featuring some recognizable Kansas City faces, he said.  “It’s just one of those things where you definitely have to figure out other avenues to make the brand bigger — bigger…

Brent EuDaly, Detour Goods

Post-exit detour takes founder on a journey back to a time before plastic ruled the world

Living as determined “plastic haters,” the husband-and-wife duo behind Detour Goods craft wooden toys as a callback to higher-quality manufacturing and a time before entertainment was dominated by technology.  “I think we’re living in a day and age where we’re just so addicted and connected to our screens,” said Jordan EuDaly, co-owner of the Kansas…

Edna Martinson and Clarence Tan, Boddle

2020 Startups to Watch: Boddle evolves from mere gamified edtech to vital classroom tool

Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2020’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch. Education needs an overhaul and Boddle Learning is driving the change from the front of the classroom, declared Edna Martinson.  “Its…

Lee Zuvanich and Lauren Lawrence, Stenovate

2020 Startups to Watch: Stenovate streamlines transcription with legal tech breakthrough

Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2020’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch. It’s all systems go for Kansas City-built Stenovate, as the legal tech startup nears public launch with just the right mix…

Healium

2020 Startups to Watch: Healium uses VR to envision a world with empty medicine cabinets

Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2020’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch. If its a situation that sucks, virtual and augmented reality offer a solution, said Sarah Hill.  “[The world] is now a…