News Stories

New deal with lightwell keeps WeWork in Kansas City after closing Corrigan Station space

A freshly negotiated lease agreement with the developer behind the lightwell building in downtown Kansas City means WeWork will continue its two-floor coworking and flexible office space operation in the heart of the city’s central business district. WeWork has officially completed its lease rationalization with the assumption of its lightwell location contract, the company said…

Meet the founder distilling greatness (and fusion flavors) into Kansas’ first Black-owned vodka brand 

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.  WICHITA — Greatness isn’t given; it’s earned, said Troy Brooks. But it comes one step at a time, and not without its challenges, he said. The entrepreneur behind Kansas’ first Black-owned…

Startup gives fans real ownership in emerging athletes; investing in talent before they make it big

Just as investors can put their money in Google or Apple, Parker Graham wants sports enthusiasts to invest in the next Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce, he shared. Along with co-founder and fellow Oklahoma State football alum Yves Batoba, the Kansas City-based serial entrepreneur, Pipeline fellow, and founder of Finotta has now launched Vestible —…

Startup Crawl returns June 14; here’s where you’ll discover dozens of innovators shaping a new KC

Sneakers and sunscreen are recommended as Startup Crawl makes its way back to the Kansas City Power & Light District this summer. The annual gathering of startups will return the evening of June 14 to three locations across the entertainment district, Startland News announced this week. Organizers expect to reveal the band lineups for two…

Tesseract Ventures developing SWARM drone technology for US Special Operations Forces

A just-announced contract with the U.S. military will fund the development of an Overland Park company’s next-generation warfare drone, said founder and robotics technologist John Boucard. The SWARM (Special Warfighter Assistive Robotic Machine) is set to revolutionize military operations by offering a new, much-needed capability: a highly versatile nano drone equipped with smart payload and…