Education Stories

Here’s how three UMKC student teams are prepping for the RooLink Digital Healthcare Sprint

Editor’s note: This story was first published by Tech Venture Studio at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Click here to read the original story. Through the RooLink Digital Healthcare Sprint, three University of Missouri-Kansas City graduate student-led teams are developing digital healthcare-related innovations as a major step on the path toward commercialization. Teams may apply for up…

NXTUS is helping five emerging KC innovators gain customer traction; ‘Timing is right,’ startup founders say 

A handful of Kansas City startups were among 22 early stage companies gathered in Wichita this week for the opening session of a program aimed at growing strong, sustainable businesses that uplift innovation and opportunity throughout the Heartland. The 2026 NXTSTAGE Customer Traction Cohort program on Wednesday welcomed founders from buildNest and Pitchster, Olathe, Kansas;…

WeCode KC touts new grant funding aimed at boosting regional workforce readiness

A just-announced $50,000 grant is expected to help a homegrown workforce development program better prepare 18- to 26-year-old Kansas Citians for careers in high-demand technology fields, said Tammy Buckner, noting a ripple effect expected for the region. Kansas City-built WeCode KC has been selected as a 2025 grant recipient by the Greater Kansas City Community…

UMKC mascot gets nod of approval from bobblehead museum, hopping onto market

Roove over, KC Wolf. Another fan-favorite Kansas City mascot is getting its spot on the shelf as the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum this week unveiled an officially licensed, 8-inch bauble featuring the nearly-century-old icon. KC Roo — the school mascot for the University of Kansas City-Missouri, sometimes referred to as “Kasey the…

How UMKC’s top student entrepreneur found shelter (and a path forward) as a founder

Shapree Marshall’s path began with shared struggle, re-routed to survival — and ultimately made a stop Wednesday evening at H&R Block’s World Headquarters where the startup founder was honored as UMKC’s 2025 Student Entrepreneur of the Year. “My journey into entrepreneurship did not begin with a business plan or a class project,” said Marshall, founder…