Minority-Led Stories

AbdulRasheed Yahaya, Unified Esports Association

Miami-bound: KC eSports pioneer carrying gaming industry to the Super Bowl stage

AbdulRasheed Yahaya never doubted his non-traditional career had mileage, but the KC eSports pioneer couldn’t have envisioned it would drive him to a Super Bowl, he said — let alone one set to feature the Kansas City Chiefs.  “By God’s grace, I get to be a role model to the youth, [show them] that an African…

Boddle

Two KC edtech startups just won $50K each, tickets to OHUB’s demo day at SXSW

Opportunity Hub pulled out the big checks Friday, awarding two Kansas City edtech startups with $50,000 each as the accelerator nears its culmination at SXSW in March. Three winners from outside KC are expected to establish a presence in the metro as part of their awards. Boddle — led by co-founders Clarence Tan and Edna…

Edna Martinson and Clarence Tan, Boddle

2020 Startups to Watch: Boddle evolves from mere gamified edtech to vital classroom tool

Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2020’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch. Education needs an overhaul and Boddle Learning is driving the change from the front of the classroom, declared Edna Martinson.  “Its…

Kevin Burke and Zarif Haque, Draiver

2020 Startups to Watch: Draiver pulling out of stealth mode with steady hands on the wheel

Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2020’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch. Businesses across the country have a mobility problem and Draiver is set to flip mobility tech on its head in 2020,…

Chiefs’ Super Bowl run ‘like Christmas’ (and Royals’ big win) all over again for KC apparel startups

The Chiefs heading to the Super Bowl isn’t just a good look for the team — it’s a win for small business owners as excited Kansas Citians buy local to keep the party going, said Mark Launiu. “I was really stoked for the city obviously, but I just texted my friends like, ‘Man, if you…