Startland News Staff
Recent Articles by Startland News Staff
Proposed KCMO budget includes $4.8M for zero-fare transit — cuts LaunchKC, KCSourceLink funding
A newly proposed city budget for Kansas City, Missouri, holds steady at $1.73 billion — making room for Mayor Quinton Lucas’ zero-fare transit program, while appearing to scale back funding for entrepreneur support across the city. KCMO would remove $50,000 for the LaunchKC program and $75,000 for KCSourceLink, if the submitted budget is approved, according…
Nine months after KC startup’s exit, its new owner adopts ‘Zego’ name, identity
Acquiring Kansas City-based Zego was a smart move for its new owner, the San Diego company said Tuesday — and a decision so impactful that the evolving tech platform is taking on the name and personality of the exited smart home startup. “We are excited to take the next steps in our company’s evolution,” said Dirk…
ScaleUP! KC unveils cohort packed with 17 entrepreneurs, backed by new leader
A 10th cohort for ScaleUP! Kansas City continues the program’s five-year legacy of helping entrepreneurs scale a diverse array of companies, the effort’s new leader said. “This program demonstrates over and over that you can not only start a business in Kansas City, but also that you can get all the tools, coaching, perspective and…
Startups, offices in path of Chiefs parade closing to party amid travel concerns
A long-awaited parade and rally celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory is set to snarl traffic across the metro Wednesday, shutting down much of the city’s downtown-to-midtown business districts — rippling across a startup community eager to join in the fanfare. Set for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the parade is expected to draw more…
2020 celebration photos: Startups find value in being watched — $2.6M across 520+ stories
Editor’s note: The celebration event showcasing Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020 was sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with communities in education and entrepreneurship to increase opportunities that allow all people to learn, to take risks, and to own their success. Ten of Kansas City’s…
‘NEXT Missouri’ coalition launches policy push to renew MTC funding; EDCKC backing effort
A new effort by a coalition of Missouri policy-focused organizations aims to give Show Me State entrepreneurs a voice among legislators, as well as renew funding for an agency known for providing meaningful cash injections to Kansas City startups. Among the key priorities for NEXT Missouri — a 17-member-strong group, backed by the Economic Development Corporation…
Meet the half-dozen, seasoned KC founders joining Pipeline’s latest fellowship class
Nearly half of the new class of Pipeline fellows hail from Kansas City startups, revealed the high-profile entrepreneur network Thursday at the Pipeline Innovators Daytime Showcase. Among those Kansas City founders taking the stage during the announcement: Dominique Davison, PlanIT Impact; Kyle Ginavan, OneHQ; Bo Lais, Lula; Luke Lim, Tile Five LCC; A.J. Mellott, Ronawk…
Newly launched Dare to Venture competition set to award $30K in micro-grants
Participants in a series of select entrepreneurship courses this winter will be eligible to win a total of $30,000 in micro-grant awards thanks to the Urban Business Growth Initiative. Funded by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and administered by the UMKC Innovation Center, the new Dare to Venture Micro-Grant Competition is expected to feature…
Female coaches face tighter scrutiny, former D1 coach says; docUssist protects careers on the court
A new partnership between Overland Park-based docUssist and an “army of female coaches” will help the sports tech startup in its mission to protect the careers and reputations of women on basketball courts across the globe, said Marsha Frese. “Female coaches are one of the most targeted groups with respect to Title IX violations and…
PayIt rings in new year with expanded executive team, repeat GovTech 100 honors
GovTech leader PayIt continues its rapid growth after a massive 2019 funding year, thanks to the hiring of another key C-suite executive — a 20-year veteran in enterprise software sales and leadership. The move puts Neil Graham in the role of PayIt’s first chief revenue officer, and brings the executive team of the industry award-winning…