Startland News Staff

Recent Articles by Startland News Staff

How LendingStandard’s new marketplace tapped into a record-setting real estate trend 

A KCK startup opened a funding pipeline with its latest offering that exceeded $860 million in its first seven months of operation.  MultifamilyDebt.com — a multifamily lending marketplace fueled by Kansas City, Kansas-based LendingStandard — announced the achievement Monday, signaling rapid growth in the midst of a record-setting era for real estate.  “Providing quality loans and fast…

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Max Kaniger, Kanbe's Markets

Kanbe’s Markets sees massive growth, plans expansion beyond KC as food insecurity surges

Kanbe’s Markets is growing its operations — cultivating 2020 success into plans to transplant healthy, fresh, affordable ingredients to food deserts beyond Kansas City. “Food insecurity is a problem that isn’t specific to just Kansas City, so our goal going forward is to maximize the impact of this program, to enhance health outcomes, and to…

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Liza Thomas and Brian Thomas, Coruzant Technologies

Fund Me, KC: Overland Park couple takes on TechCrunch with women-focused digital tech publication

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 entrepreneurs — like Liza and Brian Thomas whose campaign supports funding the digital publication Coruzant Technologies — to share their crowdfunding stories in a simple…

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Clarence Tan and Edna Martinson, Boddle Learning

Coming to a student’s iPad near you: Boddle launches in Apple App Store as edtech startup celebrates third birthday

A Kansas City-generated gamified math education platform is expanding its user base this weekend as Boddle Learning debuts the high-profile startup’s long-awaited iOS app version. The move is expected to most immediately benefit schools that use iPads, as well as parents at home who can now more-easily access the technology on mobile devices, said Edna…

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Darcy Howe and Ed Frindt, KCRise Fund II

KCRise closes $41M Fund II, plans to invest in 20 high-growth tech companies

A newly closed, oversubscribed $41 million KCRise Fund II is poised to accelerate regional growth with an influx of talent and investment dollars for 20 high-growth technology companies benefitting Greater Kansas City, said Darcy Howe. And the work has already begun, the fund’s founder and managing director added. Before today’s closing announcement, Fund II had…

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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, 2021 State of the State Address, photo courtesy of the State of Missouri

Missouri could put $1M back into startup support after COVID killed most-recent funding

A budget plan released this week by Gov. Mike Parson includes a $1 million allocation for the Missouri Technology Corporation — a popular public-private initiative boosting startups that saw its investment efforts defunded last year because of COVID-19-related shortfalls. “It is important that we continue to follow through on key investments in workforce development and infrastructure,”…

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ScaleUP! Kansas City Cohort 11

Meet 20 scaling companies making the leap with ScaleUP! KC’s latest small biz cohort

Successfully scaling entrepreneurs take the time to work on their businesses — rather than just in them, Jill Hathaway said, emphasizing the transformative power ScaleUP! Kansas City brings to the 20 top-tier business owners newly participating in its 11th cohort. “This intensive program has had a profound impact on the small businesses it serves during the…

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U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, and Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri

KC Tech Council’s apprenticeship program launches with job growth hopes from Davids, Cleaver

A freshly launched partnership between KC Tech Council and Apprenti — designed to cultivate tech skills and offer first-hand experience for apprentices — is a solid fit for Kansas City’s talent needs, two members of the metro’s U.S. congressional delegation agreed. “I truly believe that entrepreneurship is baked into the DNA of our region,” U.S….

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Brandon Calloway, Black Spartans Manga

Fund Me, KC: ‘Black Spartans’ creator changes the tone of fantasy — where Blackness isn’t ‘the exotic other’

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 entrepreneurs — like Brandon Calloway’s campaign to fund the first book in his “Black Spartans” graphic novel series — to share crowdfunding stories and gain…

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Arrowhead tee by HyperKC

Tees for touchdowns: 21+ ways to wear your Kansas City Chiefs pride while shopping local

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl — seeking to replicate last year’s post-season success at the Feb. 7 big game in Tampa, Florida. And while an ongoing pandemic will limit the number of fans who can travel to the championship matchup, hometown brands and retailers are working to make sure the Chiefs…

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