Matthew Gwin

Recent Articles by Matthew Gwin

2023 Startups to Watch: Franklin’s infuses lyrics from tech, Hip Hop expertise into craft cannabis as market ignites

Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its eighth year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2023’s companies. Click here to…

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2023 Startups to Watch: Free From Market feeds your food identity for health that fits culture, bodies

Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its eighth year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2023’s companies. Click here to…

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2023 Startups to Watch: Generation Esports schools players with pro gamer experience that breaks barriers

Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its eighth year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2023’s companies. Click here to…

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‘Every business matters, every job matters’: How $69M in federal funds is already boosting KS entrepreneurs

Kansas will use a recent influx of federal funding to strengthen the state’s small business and venture capital ecosystems, according to project leaders of a new high-profile effort focusing on equitable access. The state was allocated $69 million earlier this year as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a federal program that…

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Scavenger Tech greenlights indoor-outdoor exploration with box that only unlocks by visiting GPS markers

An inventor’s GPS-driven scavenger hunt device provides needed adventure in the physical world — minimizing screen time while unlocking meaningful challenges and experiences, said Jeff VanDeusen. “I’ve always been someone who likes to go outside and enjoy nature, and I know that’s not always what engineers are known for,” said VanDeusen, creator of Scavenger Tech and…

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Shot of gratitude: Coffee shop damaged by truck collision reopens, celebrating with thank you event

Anchor Island is planning an official grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday, less than three months after the tropical-themed coffee shop at 41st and Troost suffered damage to its front entrance when a speeding truck careened into the building. The crash occurred after hours, so no one was injured. However, Anchor Island was…

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Advisors on air: Why a budding wealth management giant traded Zoom cameras for a TV studio

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. TOPEKA…

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KC duo opens candy shop at Mizzou, bringing familiar flavors to students far from home

COLUMBIA, Missouri — A pair of Mizzou students from the Kansas City area are providing international students on campus with a taste of home. Kogo’s Kandies sells candy and treats from other countries, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive campus environment at the University of Missouri, said co-founders Jacob Burrell-Kogo and Henry Accardo….

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How this homegrown leader is steering a $2B Australian startup’s KC HQ (and 100+ workers) deeper into the Americas

Kylie Uvodich quickly wondered if she’d made a mistake after joining SafetyCulture in 2017, she said. “When I first came over [to SafetyCulture], I thought, ‘What the hell am I getting myself into? I’ll sit here and learn some things for a couple months, and then I’ll get on to my next thing,’” Uvodich recalled….

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Initiative backed by Shopify funding expected to boost 500 Black-owned businesses in KC

Editor’s note: KC BizCare is a financial supporter of Startland News. This story was produced independently by Startland News. KC BizCare announced a series of inclusive entrepreneurship initiatives Thursday, including a partnership with Operation HOPE that will provide 500 Black-owned businesses in Kansas City with resources to grow their businesses.   That partnership is part…

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