Startland News Staff
Recent Articles by Startland News Staff
10 finalists vying for ‘Fan Favorite’ in AltCap Your Biz competition; Here’s how to vote
AltCap’s marquee GEWKC competition for emerging entrepreneurs is returning in November, but fans of the businesses can cast votes now to determine a $2,500 “fan favorite” winner at the coming pitch event. Ten finalists for the AltCap Your Biz competition were announced this week. The live pitch day is set for Nov. 17 at iWerx…
Miss KC’s Parade of Hearts? You’re in luck: Popular citywide art returning in 2023, 2024
Kansas City’s “Parade of Hearts” is set to return in 2023 — and 2024 — after the wildly popular, city-spanning art installation, regional pride campaign and fundraiser placed more than 150 unique artist-created hearts throughout the metro. The publicly displayed art pieces quickly became destination points across the city with Kansas Citians and visitors embarking…
Federal funds will power Missouri investments for the next 8 years; here’s how your startup can apply
Applications are now open for a popular state-run co-investment program that can provide up to a $2 million equity-based investment in Missouri-based companies that have identified a lead investor for the round. The revived Venture Capital Program and specifically IDEA Fund Co-Investment Programs — coordinated by the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) — will be largely funded…
RNAi-tech startup takes lead from psychotropics, medical cannabis veteran with new CEO pick
ST. LOUIS — Steve Meyer sees opportunity in RNAissance Ag — an offshoot Kansas City-grown TechAccel — especially its portfolio of safe biopesticides and novel RNAi manufacturing technology. “I believe the full potential of RNAi-based solutions in agriculture is yet to be seen,” said Meyer, the company’s new CEO. “This innovative technology not only has…
KC firm invests $56M in LGTB+ owned 10KC to reimagine a more inclusive workplace (that employees won’t want to leave)
A funding infusion from a leading Kansas City venture capital firm comes at a critical time as employees struggle to connect in a hybrid work world, said Ten Thousand Coffees (10KC), announcing its first institutional raise since the company’s 2014 formation in Toronto. Originally bootstrapped, 10KC will use the $56 million investment from Five Elms…
Boulevard, Vine Street hop to ‘inspire our city’ with a brew in honor of KC baseball icon Buck O’Neil
A new ale crafted in collaboration between one of Kansas City’s biggest brands and the city’s first Black-owned brewery is expected to commemorate “a true American treasure,” said Kemet Coleman — as well as send 100 percent of its proceeds to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The Buck O’Neil Barrel-Aged Saison honors the late first…
Missouri receives $95M from federal initiative to boost startup, small business growth
A newly announced $27 million in federal funds earmarked to support small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs is headed to Missouri, representing the first of three awards approved by the U.S. Department of Treasury — totaling $95 million — to be deployed through the Missouri Technology Corporation. The funding comes via the State Small Business Credit Initiative,…
Fund Me, KC: Tangible launching ‘magical pillow’ that shares physical touch with far-away loved ones
Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses or lend a helping hand to others. This is an opportunity for business owners and innovators — like Akshay Dinakar and the launch of his Tangible “magical pillow” — to share their crowdfunding stories and potentially gain…
‘You Belong Here’: Add these 10 GEW events to your calendar (then keep clicking)
Global Entrepreneurship Week is returning to Kansas City in November with the ability for attendees to build their own week-long schedules from more than 150 planned virtual and in-person sessions. With a theme focused on inclusion, the wide-ranging options offer resources and insight for solopreneurs and small business to scaling startups — regardless of geography….
Meet six newly funded startups Digital Sandbox KC is making more fundable tomorrow
Newly awarded funds are expected to help six more companies scale their fledgling startups past the proof-of-concept stage, said Jill Meyer, touting Digital Sandbox KC’s track record of making startups and their products more fundable once they’re built. “Digital Sandbox KC is one of the Kansas City metro’s rare early-stage funds and provides vital support…