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Startland News Staff

Sometimes we share credit. The “Staff Writer” byline appears on stories reported, written, or edited collaboratively by members of the Startland News team — especially for quick hits and breaking news.

Recent Articles by Startland News Staff

Meet the winners of KC’s first grants for micro-businesses; $55K awarded to women of color

A newly launched collaboration between entrepreneur support efforts announced Thursday its first batch of grant winners — positioning four Kansas City micro-businesses for greater success amid a near-universally challenging start for the year. “The first quarter of the year is hard for most businesses, and extremely hard for small businesses. This year was no different…

Startup Weekend winners could have a billion-dollar solution for struggling taxpayers

Organizers of Missouri Startup Weekend predicted this year’s winner could be poised to be the competition’s next billion-dollar alumni. Solvtax presented the weekend’s winning pitch: a solution for avoiding financial implications through better business and personal property tax management. The idea struck a chord with entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs in both the audience and judge’s…

KU spinout earns $180K+ in prizes at business plan competition; students going full-time with startup

LAWRENCE, Kansas — A sustainable engineering startup that emerged from the University of Kansas took fifth place in a recent business competition at Rice University in Houston, earning more than $180,000 in prizes and an opportunity to make history for the founders’ alma mater. Icorium Engineering, the first-ever team from Kansas to compete in the…

Theme park developer plans year-round getaway alongside Barbie’s lakeside beach house in KCK

Barbie’s Beach House is just the beginning. The developer behind a planned a new theme park centered around Mattel toys this week released more about its vision for Destination KCK, a year-round entertainment destination coming to Bonner Springs, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. “The development will bring a whole new set of adventures just west of…

She refused to back down; how this gamechanger earned a spot on the field with the KC Current 

As a history-making season rolls on for the Kansas City Current, a recent match proved the perfect opportunity to honor the founder and CEO of WeCode KC, said Christina Lively, detailing Tammy Buckner’s selection as the first “Gamechanger” award winner. “Tammy’s story is the perfect example of pursuing your dream and refusing to back down…

KC’s year-old terminal just won four ‘Best Of’ industry awards; these businesses helped land the honors

The retail and restaurant mix featured within the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport is being lauded by industry insiders who hail the experience curated by Vantage Airport Group as one of the best of its kind in North America. In the terminal’s first year of operation, its offerings earned four honors at AXN’s…

KU Innovation Park hires former Tech Venture Studio leader to support its entrepreneurs

LAWRENCE, Kansas — An entrepreneurial support expert who made his entry into the Kansas City startup ecosystem through the UMKC Innovation Center, Chris Rehkamp is now building founder relationships at a business incubator in Kansas. KU Innovation Park today announced Rehkamp’s new role as director of business services at the nonprofit economic development organization’s sprawling…

Designed with minimal parking, KC Current wants you to carpool to team’s next home match

A just-announced tech tool aims to help KC Current fans make sustainable and affordable transportation an easier choice on matchday as the hometown team continues a string of development wins at its new riverfront stadium. Current Carpool — a new feature from the free WAY TO GO trip planning and carpool matching app — connects…

These founders just earned Digital Sandbox KC funds; next comes proving their concepts

A trio of newly funded Digital Sandbox KC companies includes a closely-guarded startup launched by an exited Pipeline founder who also helped bring headline-grabbing sports tech to the forefront of the Kansas City innovation scene. Mission Hills, Kansas-based Chemniscient (pronounced kemʹniSH(Ə)nt) is currently operating confidentially and is not disclosing any product information to the public…

Kelce Jam returning to KC in May with Lil Wayne, Diplo, 2Chainz (plus Takis and Uncrustables)

Travis Kelce’s celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl championships not only flexes the star tight end’s pull with top-tier artists, but showcases his ability to attract major brand deals. Kelce Jam returns Saturday, May 18 to Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas, with musical performances personally curated by the three-time Super Bowl…