Startland News icon

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

David Lintz, RFP360

Strategic investment from Five Elms Capital comes with new CEO for RFP360

A freshly announced strategic growth investment is expected to boost RFP360’s sales, marketing and product development, as well as paving the way for added leadership at the Kansas City-based tech startup. Financial details of the deal with Five Elms Capital were not disclosed, but the move comes in conjunction with the arrival of former Perceptive…

Jeremy and Kelsha James, With A Good Purpose, Clean Slate Mobile Shower Unit

Fund Me, KC: Clean Slate hopes to give homeless fresh start with mobile shower unit

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like those behind Clean Slate Mobile Shower Unit — to share their crowdfunding stories to gain additional support. Who are you and what is your organization? My name is Kelsha James I am…

GenU

Fund Me, KC: GenU looks in the mirror to remove student mental health stigmas

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like those working on behalf of the mental health support site GenU — to share their crowdfunding stories to gain additional support. Who are you and what is your organization? Risa Stein, PhD…

Dale Hazlett, chief financial officer and principal, DEG; Neal Sharma, chief executive and principal, DEG; Jean Lin, Isobar Global CEO; Deb Boyda, Isobar U.S. CEO; and Jeff Eden, chief revenue officer and principal, DEG

WSJ report: Overland Park-based DEG posts $150M exit in deal with Japanese ad behemoth

Top-tier Kansas City digital agency DEG will provide a global advertising giant with an opening into the U.S. market, as well as push the locally-headquartered firm’s reach international, the companies said Tuesday. Dentsu Aegis Network announced the acquisition of Digital Evolution Group (DEG) as part of an effort to transform its existing creative hub, Isobar….

Pepper IoT

Pepper teams with Switzerland cyber security expert to combat ‘terrifying’ IoT threats

A new, long-term collaboration between KC-based Pepper IoT and an international leader in digital security has an opportunity to aggressively boost consumer confidence in the rapidly expanding — and potentially hostile — Internet of Things, said Scott Ford. “It is terrifying to see millions of vulnerable connected devices being distributed to U.S. consumers who have…

David Hulsen and Stuart Ludlow, co-founders of RFP360

Top startup ‘RFP360’ tweaks name in rebrand to reflect 360-degree approach to its market

A rebranding effort announced Tuesday aims to clarify the way RFP360 is perceived by potential customers bogged down by procurement and bidding processes, said David Hulsen. The Kansas City-based company, which streamlines the repetitive and arduous request for proposal (RFP) process with a software-as-a-service platform, hopes its new name and tagline — “Grab Life by…

Matthew Condon, Bardavon, Clete Brewer, NewRoad Capital Partners, and Paul Morris, Bardavon

Bardavon bid to revolutionize workers’ compensation just got a $15 million boost

Timing is everything, said Matt Condon, announcing this week $15 million in new financing to help scale his Overland Park-based company’s reach into markets from coast to coast. “Our national expansion is coming at a time when employers across the country are recognizing that they must play a lead role in the transformation of health…

top 10 GEW

Top 10 remaining GEW events: Midwest funding, women startup leaders, social media marketing

Nearing the midpoint of Global Entrepreneurship Week, snowy weather turned to sunny skies — welcoming entrepreneurs and curious citizens alike to a wide range of activities rounding out the week. Wednesday is expected to feature some of the week’s most popular workshops and panels, according to KCSourceLink data, with three of the leading events running…

GEW most popular

On the agenda: What are GEW’s 10 most popular events so far? Practical workshops

With more than 170 events planned, organizers of Global Entrepreneurship Week already are seeing registration trends from those building their weeklong agendas at GEWKC.org Topping the most popular are GEW’s kickoff breakfast — set to explore the future in terms of emerging Latino markets, transportation and the Hyperloop, and sports technology — and Marquita Miller’s…

KCFD: Only 19 accidents in four months involving electric scooters popular in Crossroads, downtown

The arrival of trendy Bird and Lime electric scooters hasn’t tripped panic alarms for the emergency medical services in Kansas City, according to a new report from the city. A manual review of nearly 100,000 EMS records logged between July and Oct. 31 shows only 19 accidents involving the scooters, the Kansas City Fire Department…