News Stories

$26K in prizes: Sidelined students pitch entrepreneurial empathy in COVID-19 virtual competition

Editor’s note: STARTLAND is the parent organization of Startland News, though this report was produced independently by Startland News’ non-profit newsroom. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News A month ago, few students could’ve imagined pitching real-world solutions to COVID-19 challenges in front of a panel of Kansas City celebrity judges,…

Tesseract PRISM

Tesseract’s robot reveal: Wearable proximity trackers to keep workers at a safe distance  

Kansas City-wired clip-on robots could make social distancing a second thought, as Tesseract Ventures shares its first mainstream product with the world.  “This product exemplifies our mantra that there is nothing more human than technology and is a great example of what you can expect to see from Tesseract Ventures in the future,” said John…

Chad Tillman, Norcini, Strang Hall

‘Way more on our plate’: How COVID-19 transformed chefs into fortune tellers and perfectionists

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. It’s a tough time to be in the business of food — but…

Interest grows for at-home ultraviolet sterilization, urban farming amid prolonged pandemic

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. If the team at Year-Round Garden had been told two months ago…

Leah Watts, Women on the Rise

Women on the Rise: Female musicians tune out scarcity mindset within KC, music industry 

Kansas City has room for more than one female singer or artist, said Leah Watts. Focused on collaboration rather than competition, Women on the Rise aims the spotlight at an erroneous industry assumption shared by too many music executives, audiences and even musicians, she said, explaining the need for the non-profit she co-founded to empower,…