Startland News Staff
Recent Articles by Startland News Staff
Digital Inclusion Fund awards $75K for devices to KC nonprofits working to get residents online
A relaunched Kansas City-area fund is expected to help residents struggling because of a lack of simple tech resources: devices that might often be taken for granted among their neighbors for whom the internet — and the opportunities that come with it — is already easily accessible. Eleven nonprofits in the region recently were awarded a…
Biden-Harris official tours KC BioHub; region prepares to reapply for federal Tech Hubs funding
A visit from a top federal economic development leader early this month offered regional leaders an opportunity to showcase and build upon Kansas City’s strategy to increase domestic production of life-saving vaccines within the footprint of the newly established KC BioHub. Maryam Janani-Flores, chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration…
Information security should come standard: Everything you need to know about ISO 27001
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. BARR Advisory, which has offices in Kansas City, is a cloud-based security and compliance solutions provider, specializing in cybersecurity, is a financial partner of Startland News. Click here to check out more from this Cybersecurity Month series from BARR Advisory. In today’s digital…
Family-owned US Toy sells to Chicago-based novelty retailer; new owner pledges continued innovation
The strategic acquisition of a 70-year-old Grandview company that has become a household name for its novelty toys is expected to fuel its new owner’s ability to meet the evolving needs of modern-day customers. Chicago-based Windy City Novelties, Inc. announced the deal with US Toy this week, though financial details were not disclosed. Founded in…
Goodwill opening first-of-its-kind KC adult high school near Oracle Cerner Innovation Campus
A new “adult high school” offering free, onsite childcare to Missourians 21 and older is planned in Kansas City. Organizers are eyeing a fall 2025 opening and a first-year enrollment of 250 students. The project — dubbed The Excel Center — follows a model operated across the country in other communities for the past 10 years,…
Trio of KC healthtech startups wrap NXTUS competition; Marma scores pilot project
WICHITA — Companies working to improve Kansans’ health and community growth momentum across the state just completed an eight-week competition in hopes of developing collaborative relationships to scale alongside new regional partners. Three Kansas City startups were among a cohort of 10 finalists — drawn from global innovation hubs to participate in the NXTSTAGE Community Health…
KU Innovation Park launches Oread Angel Investors network to boost Jayhawk startups
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. LAWRENCE — A newly announced angel investor network is expected to support high-growth tech and bioscience startups linked to the University of Kansas, said Adam Courtney, opening greater access to…
Just funded: Digital Sandbox KC drops the hook for three more emerging tech startups
From optimizing trucking logistics to revolutionizing peer-to-peer recommendations and streamlining compliance with AI, the latest startups funded by Digital Sandbox KC are poised to make a significant impact in their industries, said Jill Meyer. “We’ve been truly impressed by the expertise and passion these founders bring to the table,” said Meyer, senior director of Technology…
KC founder’s hip hop edtech app for children, families earns earns $50K in 5G innovation competition
A grants program focused on boosting social entrepreneurs — traditionally underfunded women and persons of color — who are using 5G wireless innovation to address pressing community challenges this week awarded a $50,000 prize to Kansas City startup Healthy Hip Hop for its work on child literacy. Catalyst — a competitive grants initiative by the Washington,…
Aussie tech company with KC HQ closes $112M round to scale its global expansion, AI innovation
As global technology company SafetyCulture closes another massive funding round, Kansas City — its largest market and biggest opportunity — stands primed for continued investment at the firm’s U.S. headquarters in the Crossroads Arts District. SafetyCulture on Tuesday announced a $112 million round — which values the Sydney, Australia-based workforce operations company at $1.7 billion —…