News Stories

Tonderai Kambarami, Merwan Abdelmajeed and Cameron Knight, Air Traffic Awareness

Cash in the tank: Meet 8 tech startups vying for on-the-spot funding at Pure Pitch Rally

From gig economy and healthcare companies to startups attacking supply chain concerns, the solutions to today’s challenges come from Kansas City’s up-and-coming innovators, said Karen Fenaroli, announcing the eight competitors for this fall’s Pure Pitch Rally. “We could not be more excited for the diversity of ideas, industries and experience represented in this year’s cohort…

Aaron Fulk and Les Brown, “Live with Les Brown and Aaron Fulk”

Hope gives you power: How a LinkedIn Live duo is dismantling negativity on social media

Success was no surprise for motivational speaker Les Brown, whose daily Facebook and LinkedIn Live show reaches more than a million weekly views — with help from a colorful Kansas City personality known for her social media prowess.  “How people live their lives is a result of the story they believe about themselves; what we…

Photo courtesy of Engenious Design

‘Work-life’ comes to the office: KC design firm offers teacher, space for students as an employee benefit

Juggling Zoom meetings and remote work is difficult enough for single adults — let alone parents trying to manage the ins and outs of their kids’ virtual school routines during COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions, said Melissa Nickel.  “I do not want my children just to survive, I want them to thrive,” Nickel, operations lead at Engenious…

Andy Stoll, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 2020 ESHIP Summit

ESHIP Summit: Data shows urgent question — Who isn’t starting a business?

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Inclusion is about fulfilling untapped potential, said Sameeksha Desai, detailing nationwide equity gaps in entrepreneurial ecosystem building. “A lot of the reason that we ended up in this situation is because…

KC performer appointed UN Young Leader, extending Battery Tour’s energy worldwide, says AY Young

Singer-songwriter-street performer AY Young has a new stage for his unique message, announcing Friday the Kansas City artist’s appointment as one of the United Nations’ 17 Young Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals. “I’ll be honest, I was like, ‘It’s about time,’” Young said, laughing. “I’ve powered over 800 concerts using renewable energy; I’ve been getting…