Startland News Staff
Recent Articles by Startland News Staff
‘Beacon of light’ — Meet four new Digital Sandbox startups that could reshape KC tech
Digital Sandbox KC’s latest quartet of funded companies will help Kansas City build a better, more inclusive startup ecosystem, said Jill Meyer. “We’ve always been keenly aware of the inequities in the tech ecosystem, especially for entrepreneurs of color,” said Meyer, who leads Digital Sandbox and is senior director of the Technology Ventures Studio at…
Developers plotting innovation district sites in state capital as Go Topeka creates animal health, ag hub
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. TOPEKA…
Rise Up, Get Started winners: Building a second chance as job market sputters
A slowly recovering job market is pushing more people — many of whom previously didn’t imagine ever running their own businesses — into entrepreneurship, said Kyle J. Smith. “The Kauffman Foundation would say they’re starting a business out of necessity rather than choice,” Smith elaborated, describing the importance of programs that provide a second chance…
Reluctant gym-goers help push KC’s OYO to $4.4M in pre-sales for latest home fitness device
A month after breaking records as the most-funded fitness product in Kickstarter history, the KC-created OYO Nova Gym closed its crowdfunding campaign with $4.4 million in pre-sales. “To say that it exceeded our expectations is a total understatement,” said Graham Ripple, COO of OYO Fitness, the Kansas City-based startup behind the handheld home gym product….
Avoiding money mistakes now: What teens wish they knew about money
Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by CommunityAmerica Credit Union, a partner of STARTLAND, the parent organization of Startland News. Click here to learn about CommunityAmerica’s coming financial literacy webinar series for parents. This story was produced independently by Startland News. A spring corporate innovation internship program — designed as an outlet and opportunity…
AltCap COVID-19 relief fund set to reopen May 27; nears $2M in loans already awarded
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. AltCap is reopening access to a growing pot of rescue dollars May…
Two Kansas City tech startups selected for newly rebranded T-Mobile Accelerator
Innovative drone technology and smart apartment management solutions helped two Kansas City startups earn spots among the freshly launched T-Mobile Accelerator’s six-company cohort. Aware Vehicles, led by PJ Piper, and Homebase, founded by Blake Miller, were announced Tuesday as members of the 2020 program, formerly the Sprint Accelerator. The 90-day accelerator began earlier this month…
Investor survey: Angels plan to keep capital flowing to startups, but amounts likely to decline
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. COVID-19 won’t stop most angel investors — though they likely will rethink…
Drink it in: Nine agtech, dairy startups bring innovation, sustainability to 2020 DFA Accelerator
An all-natural sports drink made from dairy by-products; handheld pizza and Philly cheesesteak cones; a green fashion brand that’s creating T-shirts from excess milk; and a hand-crafted spirit made from whey — innovative tastes of an American industry known for its most classic component: milk. Nine startups — hailing from across the nation and globe…
16 winners: Micro-grant competition debuts with $30K in prizes to entrepreneurs who ‘need funds the most’
Not all early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses qualify for federal disaster loans, prompting an even greater need for programs like the new Dare to Venture Micro-Grant Competition, according to the Urban Business Growth Initiative. “At a critical time when small businesses need funds the most, the program offered a total of $30,000 in micro-grants to…