News Stories

Fans react Thursday at Power & Light as news breaks that Kansas City will host during the 2026 World Cup; photos by Channa Steinmetz/Startland News

KC scores 2026 World Cup for Arrowhead; games expected to mean big business for region’s economy

Fans rallied in near-triple-digit heat Thursday in the heart of Kansas City as the region scored a longtime goal: earning a spot on the roster of 16 host cities for the coming 2026 FIFA World Cup. “To be named a host city for not only the biggest single sport event in history, but as part…

Richard Wiles, Judy Rush, Lindsey Wade and Lyndon Wade, Tiki Taco; photo courtesy of Tiki Taco

Tiki Taco’s iconic curly fry-filled burritos riding wave to Troost storefront near UMKC, Rockhurst

Originating as a gas station in the 1950s, the vacant but charming building at 5400 Troost Ave caught the attention of Lyndon and Lindsey Wade. The brothers realized it would be the perfect place to expand their California-inspired Mexican restaurant, Tiki Taco, Lyndon Wade said.  “We love the feeling of something unique and standalone,” shared…

Dr. F. Nicholas Franano, Artio Medical; photo courtesy of Max McBride

Artio closes $28M as it scales to save lives; latest funding brings Prairie Village startup’s investments to $74M 

Another hefty funding round for Artio Medical is expected to launch the startup’s commercial sales team in the U.S. and continue development of its best-in-class product pipeline, said founder Nicholas Franano. Artio, a medical device company developing innovative products for the peripheral vascular, neurovascular, and cardiology markets, on Thursday announced the closing of $28 million…

Dave Johnson and the Chicken N Pickle team at the 2022 KC Chamber Small Business Celebration

Chamber awards ‘Small Business of the Year’ to trendsetter that caught ‘lightning in a bottle’

In its third match as a Top 10 Small Business, Chicken N Pickle earned the Chamber’s coveted Mr. K Award — signifying the North Kansas City family entertainment experience as the Small Business of the Year. Dave Johnson, founder of Chicken N Pickle, accepted the honor Wednesday during the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s…

Matt Condon, Bardavon Health Innovations

Bardavon acquires San Fran health app to complete hybrid treatment platform for workers

Adding PeerWell — and the San Francisco startup’s leadership — to the portfolio of tools at Bardavon Health Innovations will help the Overland Park health powerhouse complete the industry’s first digital solution for worker musculoskeletal health, said Matt Condon. Together, Bardavon and PeerWell will pair in-person therapy, virtual coaching, and self-care for injury prevention and…