Startland News Staff
Recent Articles by Startland News Staff
SafetyCulture names new CEO as founder moves into new strategic executive role
A global tech company with its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City is transitioning to American leadership. Kelly Vohs, a New York-based executive and former Green Beret in the U.S. Special Forces, is set to become CEO of the Australian company SafetyCulture Jan. 1 Founder Luke Anear, who long served as the rapidly scaling business’ CEO…
Google makes new $120K pledge to KC schools; region embraces a future built on flexibility
In an era of artificial intelligence and high-tech solutions, the children of Kansas City remain a vital piece of the region’s future economic sustainability, said Utaukwa Allen, announcing a new financial pledge from Google that targets local students. Kansas City Public Schools have been selected for a $120,000 partnership with Google to strengthen KCPS’ STEM…
$11.2M+ awarded: 53 orgs tapped for first-ever tranche of Kauffman capacity building grants
A new grantmaking strategy from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is manifesting through an inaugural round of funding to local and outside organizations whose work supports the priorities of college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship. The Kauffman Foundation on Monday announced its first tranche of grants — totaling more than $11.2…
K-State awarded $500K state grant to boost border-to-border innovation, entrepreneurship
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. MANHATTAN, Kansas — A newly launched grant program is expected to help Kansas’ six state universities accelerate innovation activities within the world of higher education. At Kansas State University, a…
These KC nonprofits showed resiliency; their reward: $200K grants from Bank of America
Bank of America this fall continued the 20-year run for its Neighborhood Builder grants program, awarding two Kansas City nonprofits with $200,000 grants and access to exclusive leadership training resources and a national network of nonprofit peers. The 2024 honorees are Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy and Cultivate Kansas City — tapped for their work…
Accessibility platform AskSAMIE expands to 500+ partners thanks to national homecare deals
A pair of significant new partnerships not only allow Kansas City-based AskSAMIE to expand its national reach, said Dr. Brandy Archie; the deals put her startup a pivotal moment in its mission to deliver on-demand support to seniors and their caregivers. Working with homecare organizations ComForCare/At Your Side and CarePatrol will push AskSAMIE — a…
Stripping Missouri’s supplier diversity goals stifles state’s prosperity potential, says women’s business advocate
Ending nearly a decade of benchmarks that helped ensure greater equity in state contracts for businesses owned by minorities and women is a move in the wrong direction for Missouri, said Jennifer Brungardt, emphasizing the coming impact of lost opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. “Diversity and economic growth will be stifled without proper support from our…
Entrepreneur behind Soul of Santa aims to create Rockefeller Plaza holiday experience on KC’s east side
Tucker Lott hopes an outdoor ice skating rink at 2000 Vine — the home of Vine Street Brewing — will help solidify a new holiday tradition in the 18th and Vine entertainment district, the veteran entrepreneur said. “We wanted to create a holiday atmosphere where families could gather and have fun,” said Lott. “The entire…
Small biz in Africa needs capital to grow; here’s how C2FO, World Bank member are bringing ‘much-needed liquidity’
A new strategic partnership between Kansas City-built C2FO and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is expected to enhance financing for local enterprises in Africa — bolstering job growth and economic prosperity in an underserved segment of the global market. “C2FO is honored and delighted to collaborate with IFC to broaden the global…
KC-brewed FairWave chases aromas east, adding Baltimore-area roaster to its coffee collective
Working with a larger, experienced leadership team and collaborating with new specialty coffee friends throughout the FairWave coffee collective will be a total game changer for Maryland-based Ceremony Coffee Roasters, said Ronnie Haas. Ceremony on Monday announced it had joined the family of brands under FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective, which is headquartered in Kansas City…