Minority-Led Stories

Just funded: Meet the five latest startups scaling their tech, Digital Sandbox KC’s impact 

Five emerging startups are the latest to benefit from Digital Sandbox KC’s support — investment and resources that have led to more than $200 million in follow-on funding in less than 10 years for Sandbox companies. “Without this funding, it would have taken us much longer, as the whole project is currently being bootstrapped,” said…

Its menu simmers with just five dishes; How Thaiger’s bowl’d flavors roll in complex family recipes

When someone orders the spicy pho or crispy pork belly bowl at Thaiger, they soon receive it just as Adison Sichampanakhone and his family make it at home, he shared.  “If you were to come to one of our barbecues or cookouts, you would see it’s the same preparation, same sauce as we do here…

He wants to create 100 millionaires before he dies (but first Nassir Criss says he’ll have to leave KC)

Nassir Criss has been a risk-taker for as long as he can remember, he shared.  “When you start at the bottom, the only place you can go is up — so I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind or walk up to someone who I think may be interesting and say hello. I haven’t…

Kharissa Parker-Forte; photo by Lexi Holifield

Sometimes self-care is more about shutting down than showing out (Holistic Hustle)

Kharissa Parker-Forte is a news producer, writer, certified health coach, and columnist for Startland News.  Read her “Holistic Hustle” columns for Startland News here. When I recently made the decision to dissolve my self care brand, Grace & Grind, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make. From the outside looking…

Rebecca MacKinnon, SoulFIRE Health, at the NXTSTAGE Community Health and Vibrancy Pilot Competition

Overland Park startup wins four pilot projects through NXTUS health competition

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…