Funding Stories
Cash in the tank: Meet 8 tech startups vying for on-the-spot funding at Pure Pitch Rally
From gig economy and healthcare companies to startups attacking supply chain concerns, the solutions to today’s challenges come from Kansas City’s up-and-coming innovators, said Karen Fenaroli, announcing the eight competitors for this fall’s Pure Pitch Rally. “We could not be more excited for the diversity of ideas, industries and experience represented in this year’s cohort…
Winning pitch: Leading KC fintech founder deposits trio of new bank partnerships
One of Kansas City’s prominent fintech and nonprofit leaders has secured partnerships with three of the regions leading banks. Donald Hawkins, founder and CEO of Griffin Technologies and a co-leader in KC Collective, was awarded pilot projects with Emprise Bank, Fidelity Bank, and Intrust Bank, Thursday — part of the Wichita-based NXSTAGE Pilot Competition, hosted…
Destination exit: Less talk, more acceleration drove quiet BacklotCars to $425M deal
In the half-decade run-up to BacklotCars’ historic $425 million exit, the Kansas City startup remained largely under the radar, Justin Davis acknowledged, noting the intentional move became less about strategy and more focused on team values. “Like many people in Kansas City and the Midwest, we all prefer getting to work rather than talking about…
$425M exit: BacklotCars selling to Indiana-based auto marketplace in ‘milestone event’ for KC
Five years after turning its ignition, Kansas City-revved BacklotCars is being acquired in a historic $425 million deal. Carmel, Indiana-based KAR Auction Services agreed to purchase the company by the end of the year, the companies said Tuesday morning. “KAR Global is the most innovative and progressive digital remarketing company in the world, and their…
$100K in microgrants awarded across 23 struggling, but resilient minority businesses
Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. A COVID-era resiliency fund that quickly closed applications after receiving a deluge of response from entrepreneurs in need has awarded microgrants to 23 minority businesses on both sides of the state…
