Startland News Staff
Recent Articles by Startland News Staff
Pipeline names OKC startup veteran, podcast host as fellowship’s new executive director
A tech startup founder and community builder in the Oklahoma City innovation ecosystem will soon work to open the valve for greater entrepreneurship support in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. The Pipeline entrepreneurs fellowship, a network of some of the Midwest’s most successful and high-performance startup leaders, announced Tuesday that Melissa Vincent would take over leadership…
Fund Me, KC: Mind Star App ‘needed in my darkest moments,’ says founder, survivor of depression
Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Kristin Rulon with her Mind Star Health campaign — to share their crowdfunding stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Who are you? Kristin Rulon, founder and CEO…
No MO: Kansas City, St. Louis drop off Inc list of ‘50 Best Cities for Starting a Business’
Shots fired. A new ranking by Inc. magazine claims startup powerhouse Austin, Texas, is “leading the nation in job creation and high-growth company density — and delish BBQ.” Kansas City? Not even on the list. Inc.’s Surge Cities index — detailing what founders can learn from the 50 Best U.S. Cities for Starting a Business…
Meet the 2020 class: BetaBlox demo day returning with events across startup sister cities
Audience tickets for BetaBlox’s Overland Park demo day are nearly gone, said Weston Bergmann, just weeks before the incubator program showcases its newest startups across three events in two cities. The “can’t-miss entrepreneurship event” Jan. 20 at the GRID Collaborative Workspace is expected to entail a combination of pitches, expo-style networking, and a panel of…
Digital Sandbox welcomes four new startups led by emerging, veteran KC founders
The latest round of founders joining Digital Sandbox KC includes relative newcomers to the startup scene alongside a Fountain City Fintech alum and a key player behind one of Kansas City’s biggest exits. The proof-of-concept program announced Friday the addition of four new companies for its fourth quarter: TripleBlind, led by Riddhiman Das, who made…
Startups to Watch, Innovation Exchange returning; Startland News announces 2020 events calendar
Startland News’ most popular annual and monthly events are set to return in 2020, Austin Barnes said Tuesday, releasing a full calendar of events for the new year. “In the last six months of 2019, Innovation Exchange drew its biggest crowds since its return from hiatus in March 2018,” said Barnes, programming director for Startland…
Village veteran SquareOffs launches long-awaited social opinion site, tops $2M+ in funding
SquareOffs hopes its new consumer-facing destination website — showcasing interactive “microdebates” aggregated across a growing network of publishers and influencers — moves digital conversations back to civility. A fresh round of funding will help, said Jeff Rohr. “We are all tired of the toxicity that fills our social media feeds and dominates comments at the bottom…
Novel Growth announces new $12M+ fund, expansion to Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis
An oversubscribed first fund for Novel Growth Partners will help the Kansas City-based financing firm expand its tech investments in Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. With more than $12 million banked for the fund, Novel is poised to use its unique revenue-based financing model to focus on boosting B2B software startups, the firm said in…
H&R Block plans $3.5M in KC investments to combat social isolation, boost entrepreneurs
H&R Block filed its intentions Thursday to contribute $6.5 million over the next five years to support neighborhood revitalization and the success of small businesses nationally — with $3.5 million slated specifically for Kansas City. “Make Every Block Better” teams the Kansas City-born tax preparation giant with five key partners in the local entrepreneur and…
Fund Me, KC: My Bear Jeff spreads comfort to child trauma survivors, bear to bear
Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Rachel Cohen with her My Bear Jeff campaign — to share their crowdfunding stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Who are you? Rachel Cohen, Chief Bear Officer…