News Stories

Tyler Bolz and Will Strout, DataSource

How two college students are bringing the fight to Jeff Bezos as supply chain breakdown rages

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. MANHATTAN…

Stock photo: 2020 barn party in Kansas City, Kansas; photo by Jacob Bentzinger, Unsplash

Bash crashers: Airbnb stopped 1,700 suspected parties in KC amid 2021 variant surges

Airbnb’s ban on booking spots for house parties prevented hundreds of spreader events across Kansas City — especially impactful over holiday weekends known disruptive behavior, the company said Friday. First introduced in summer 2020 to prioritize public health in the early days of the pandemic, Airbnb’s ban included new tech systems on the short-term rental platform…

2022 Pipeline fellows

Meet the new 2022 Pipeline fellows building ‘breakout’ startups and poised for rapid scale

Persistence frequently pays off, said James West, reacting to his selection for Pipeline’s latest fellowship. The Lawrence biotech founder applied to join the elite entrepreneur network off and on since 2011 — and is now among 13 new fellows. “To finally get accepted is recognition of the work and progress I’ve made in the last few…

2022 Pipeline Pathfinder cohort

Overlooked to booked: How 12 founders are opening the gate to scaling success through Pipeline Pathfinder

The idea that someone else sees Fresh Factory KC’s potential still seems remarkable for India Wells-Carter, she said Thursday as Pipeline unveiled her business as one of 12 selected for its first-ever Pathfinder cohort — an entryway into its elite network for often-overlooked entrepreneurs. “I know I believe in my company, but it feels great to…

Pipeline unveils first-ever double cohort in bid to develop region’s next great serial entrepreneur

Twenty-five founders are entering the Pipeline network this week, Melissa Vincent said Thursday, revealing the newest additions to its elite fellowship, as well as the just-debuted Pathfinder cohort for earlier-stage, underserved entrepreneurs. “We were blown away by the response,” said Vincent, executive director of Pipeline, noting the fall 2021 recruiting period was the most vigorous…