Startland News Staff
Recent Articles by Startland News Staff
KC Tech Council elevates apprenticeship leader to COO, concluding succession plan after CEO’s departure
A leading advocate for the region’s tech community announced this week a promotion from within as the KC Tech Council transitions to new leadership after longtime CEO Ryan Weber left the organization this spring. Newly-announced chief operating officer Erin Christensen, who has served as the tech council’s program manager since October 2020 and leads its…
Junior Achievement honoring Ruby Jean’s founder with its 2022 KC Innovator Award
A group hoping to inspire the next generation of leaders, thinkers and doers has tapped a young entrepreneur with a healthy appetite for expansion as its next KC Innovator Award winner. Chris Goode, founder of Ruby Jean’s Juicery, is set to be honored with the award Nov. 1 during the Junior Achievement of Kansas City’s…
AT&T deal brings head-to-head ‘Pet Battles’ to Boddle in a first for the KC-made edtech app
A new collaboration between Boddle Learning and AT&T hopes to keep students plugged into learning long after they’ve unplugged from the classroom. “With summer break quickly approaching, it’s important to help kids maintain knowledge outside of the classroom,” AT&T said in a release announcing its teamed up with Tulsa-based, Kansas City-born Boddle to introduce new…
Ennovation Center taps hometown entrepreneur to lead Independence-based resource hub
Support is in place for entrepreneurs looking for customized services, the Ennovation Center said Friday, announcing a new executive director already at work at the Independence-based community resource. “I love helping entrepreneurs grow their business,” said Danielle DuPree, who began her role leading the Ennovation Center in April. “My passion lies in working with small…
Meet the finalists: KC tech startups competing to boost health, vibrancy of diverse communities
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. WICHITA…
KC esports startup acquires Military Gaming League, pledging support to players facing PTSD, mental health struggles
Generation Esports has deployed a summer of scale, announcing Monday its acquisition of the Military Gaming League (MGL) — stationing the Kansas City-based startup’s mission to unite gamers in new, high-demand territory. “We knew there was something special about it that we just had to be a part of,” said Mason Mullenioux, co-founder and CEO of…
Comeback KC Ventures adds 9 more fellows to accelerate rapid-response health innovations
A global pandemic exposed both new challenges and the potential for disruptive solutions — putting Kansas City entrepreneurs at the forefront of rapid-fire change in the wake of an ongoing health crisis, said organizers of Comeback KC Ventures. Nine additional Kansas City tech startups are joining the fellowship program, its leaders said Wednesday, expanding upon…
Leanlab launches edtech certification with focus on accountability to classrooms
A new product certification from Leanlab Education means increased transparency for edtech companies — as well as added credibility for their work within schools. “We want to give teachers and school administrators a quick way to understand if an edtech product reflects the insights of educators, students, and parents — the true end users in education — and…
MoodSpark buys defunct startup’s IP, minds focused on disrupting elderly veterans’ depression
A slew of new patents and tools are now in the hands of a KCK-rooted startup that aims to protect aging military veterans that suffer from loneliness, anxiety and depression. MoodSpark has acquired assets previously held by California-based Dthera Sciences — an early leader of the digital therapeutics space, known for its innovative quality of life…
Rally Gin pours into KC as childhood friends mix spirit of resilience with Black-owned, woman-owned brand
After launching in the Los Angeles market, Rally Gin is coming home — distilling a pandemic dream into Kansas City reality. “We have so much pride in being Kansas City natives and are thrilled to share Rally Gin with the town,” said Alysha Daicy, co-founder. A launch event honoring Rally’s expansion into the Midwest is planned…