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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

John Sherman, Kansas City Royals; image courtesy of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Kansas Citian of the Year: Royals owner’s work echoes legacy of Ewing Kauffman

A startup veteran and newfound Kansas City icon has been named Kansas Citian of the Year. John Sherman, controlling owner of the Kansas City Royals and founder of LPG Services Group and Inergy L.P., was surprised with the honor Tuesday night during the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s 134th annual dinner.  “I was having…

La’Nesha Frazier and La’Nae Robinson, Bliss Books and Wine; featured on BuyKC

KCSourceLink, partners launch inclusive ‘BuyKC’ site to add firepower to ‘Buy Local’ movement

“Buy Local” is no longer just a catchphrase or a hashtag in Kansas City, said organizers of a new metro-wide initiative led by KCSourceLink, local business leaders and community influencers. BuyKC aims to help increase sales for all local, independently owned businesses and build awareness of these economic powerhouses for consumers and corporate buyers, said…

Healium’s mental fitness wearables earn innovation award from world’s largest tech show

A Columbia-based startup’s patented technology that brings wearable biometric data to life via virtual and augmented reality apps has earned a major industry honor, announcing Healium’s selection for a 2022 Innovation Award from the Consumer Technology Association. The awards program is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in 27 consumer technology product categories….

Andy Bond and Matt Krentz, BestyBnB

Leawood firm partners with BestyBnB on tech platform to protect domestic violence survivors, their pets

Fresh off news of its $2 million investment by a local businesswoman and prominent animal advocate, Kansas City-based startup BestyBnB this week announced a new pet reservation tech platform — built by a company in neighboring Leawood. Available on mobile and desktop, the BestyBnB web-based platform enables DV shelters to search and secure long- and short-term…

Keven Fryer, KC Velocity

KC Velocity launches as re-imagined Lee’s Summit accelerator goes metro-wide

An entrepreneur-backed support organization for early stage founders and business leaders across Kansas City went live this week — the culmination of an intensive rebranding campaign for an accelerator previously geared specifically to Lee’s Summit. “KC Velocity is focused on matching growing businesses with experienced, invested experts in a variety of essential capacities including finance, accounting,…

Gavin Dell, Hollywood Animation Academy; Shelly Cooper, SureShow; Jill and Justin Bertelsen, Crib Coaching; and Craig Boyle, What Duh Fog

Demo day alert: 13 new Comeback KC Ventures fellows set for debut on GEW KC stage

The first crop of Comeback KC Ventures fellows — entrepreneurs offering solutions from healthtech and edtech products to sports evaluations and an animation academy emerging in response to COVID-19 — is expected to highlight more than a dozen companies Thursday during a GEW KC innovation showcase. “The demo day will allow early participants in the…

Nia Richardson, KC Bizcare

Community Builders to Watch: Nia Richardson redefines city’s role in building wealth (and the freedom that comes with it)

Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing six Kansas City changemakers from five local organizations in its inaugural Community Builders to Watch list. The following highlights one of the 2021 honorees, selected from more than 100 initial nominees by a panel of judges. Click here to view the full list of Community Builders to Watch —…

Cornell Ellis, Brothers Liberating Our Communities (BLOC)

Community Builders to Watch: Cornell Ellis aims for nothing short of a Black male educator revolution

Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing six Kansas City changemakers from five local organizations in its inaugural Community Builders to Watch list. The following highlights one of the 2021 honorees, selected from more than 100 initial nominees by a panel of judges. Click here to view the full list of Community Builders to Watch —…

Maxfield Kaniger, Kanbe's Market

Community Builders to Watch: Max Kaniger brings more than apples to KC’s food deserts

Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing six Kansas City changemakers from five local organizations in its inaugural Community Builders to Watch list. The following highlights one of the 2021 honorees, selected from more than 100 initial nominees by a panel of judges. Click here to view the full list of Community Builders to Watch —…

Lightwell building overlooking the outdoor seating of Jason's Deli, incoming home of Strang Chef Collective at Lightwell

More downtown eats: Chef-driven food hall joining Made in KC on Lightwell’s ground floor

Nearly two years after details of a chef collective at Lightwell were first teased, developers today announced the popular urban Johnson County food experience Strang Hall will indeed open a second location in downtown Kansas City. “Like the original Strang Hall in downtown Overland Park, the concept will be a casual, modern space designed for…