Funding Stories
With a fresh $2M, Athlete Network sets ambitious growth goals
Athlete Network has scored a slam dunk with a $2 million seed round raise. The Lenexa-based firm that created a social network for athletes announced Thursday it had closed its first funding round after bootstrapping for two years, Athlete Network CEO Chris Smith said. The platform aims “to keep athletes competing in life” by enabling…
Digital Sandbox expands to Independence, Mo.
Digital Sandbox KC is expanding into more surrounding Kansas City suburbs. The business incubator has partnered with the City of Independence and the Independence Economic Development Council to help early-stage entrepreneurs grow their businesses in the municipal directly east of Kansas City. Digital Sandbox — which provides up to $25,000 to area businesses for specific projects…
Survey: KC is sticky for startups with equity funding
A majority of Kansas City startups choose to maintain their hometown roots after they raise capital — even when the funds come from outside investors, a recent survey found. Of the companies that raised money in 2013 and 2014, 74 percent of them are still active and headquartered in the City of Fountains, according to…
Continuing its hot streak, PayIt wins national pitch contest
Government tech startup PayIt is on a roll. Only weeks after a earning a commendation from Amazon, the Kansas City-based firm recently won a national pitch competition as part of the annual United States Conference of Mayors. PayIt’s mobile and web app that streamlines citizens’ financial interaction with government agencies beat out dozens of other…
Missouri Tech Corp. dishes $375K to Kansas City startups
Two Kansas City startups are among a dozen firms in Missouri that have received a total of $2.1 million from the Missouri Technology Corporation. Kansas City-based tech firms PopBookings and Moblico both nabbed matching funds — $300,000 and $75,000 respectively — from the MTC that will boost their operations. “We are supporting Missouri’s thriving innovation…
