Startland News Staff
Recent Articles by Startland News Staff
100 requests in two hours: $100K resiliency fund closes applications for minority biz relief grants
Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Overwhelming response to a new resiliency grant fund for minority-owned businesses hit by COVID-19 exposes a humbling reality, said Sarah Mote. Applications for the grants — funded by the Ewing Marion…
Startups pitching this week to earn finalists spots for ‘Mr K’ Small Biz of the Year award
Innovation-led companies are going mainstream in Kansas City with an increasing number of product, experience and tech-based startups named as candidates for the top small business prize in the city: the Mr. K Award. Such well-known names to Startland News readers as Cherry, Chicken N Pickle, Crema, Plexpod, J. Rieger & Co., McLain’s Markets, Messenger…
Techstars KC doubles down on virtual demo day with 1-minute pitches, Brad Feld panel
Since COVID-19 kept members of Techstars Kansas City’s 2020 cohort from visiting the City of Fountains during the three-month accelerator, an Aug. 27 virtual demo day will be as much a meet-and-greet with the startups as a pitch event for potential investors, said Lesa Mitchell. “Our cohort didn’t ever come to KC. That was horrible…
‘Laser-focused’ microgrant investments aim to curb KCMO violence without law enforcement
Starting a small business can be key to lowering individuals’ risk for involvement in violent activities, as well as increasing household income and financial stability, according to a debut microgrant program that targets new and aspiring entrepreneurs. “We need to find new ways of providing hope and pathways forward in our city where there have…
UMKC, Kauffman launch $100K resiliency grant fund for minority-owned businesses hit by COVID
Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. A new $100,000 fund is expected to help minority-owned Kansas City businesses — left out of initial rounds of COVID-19 relief — to build resiliency and come back stronger as the…
$40M Firebrand II fund strengthened by Kansas City VC’s merger with Boulder firm, leaders say
Merging two venture capital funds focused on one startup-rich portfolio is expected to create a larger platform for founders in up-and-coming markets, said Chris Marks. “While a merger is unique in the venture world, this feels very natural based on our overlap in values, our shared commitment to supporting authentic leaders, and our similar focus…
Right to Start: Economic justice, entrepreneurship aren’t privileges for a select few, Victor Hwang says
Everyone deserves an equal start, said Victor Hwang, launching an initiative to level the playing field for early stage entrepreneurs. “We’re a campaign to rebuild the American economy by fighting for entrepreneurial opportunity for all of us — regardless of background, race, place, genders, disabilities, or circumstances. We call them ‘starters,’” said Hwang, founder and…
Startups fighting COVID: Black & Veatch taps 18 for Coronavirus response accelerator
Four months after an unprecedented pandemic struck the Midwest, partners from more than a dozen startups, established businesses and universities are set to pitch their solutions for developing and deploying emerging technologies to fight Coronavirus. KC-area startups EB Systems, InnovaPrep, Motega and MySidewalk are among 18 members of Black & Veatch’s IgniteX COVID-19 Response Accelerator,…
Heartland Challenge: Meet Kauffman’s 17 grantees (and the projects getting funded)
The only way to regain lost momentum in the Heartland’s cities and rural areas: work together to develop, catalyze, and expand inclusive programs and strengthen regional ecosystems, said Melissa Roberts Chapman. A new portfolio of 17 grantee organizations is up to the challenge, she added. “Entrepreneurship represents an opportunity for this region to reverse a…
Boddle’s new $350K investment comes with a catch: KC startup relocating to Tulsa
Pre-seed funding from Tulsa-based Atento Capital is expected to help accelerate Boddle’s gamified edtech platform amid an ongoing pandemic — but the infusion means the Kansas City startup will move south to work more closely with its new investor. “Our team is looking forward to the growth and impact that this investment will allow us…