Startups Stories

Roy Scott, Healthy Hip Hop

Google’s $100K cash prize keeps Healthy Hip Hop dancing toward ‘Tik Tok for kids’ status

With a new cash infusion from the Google Black Founders Fund, Roy Scott said Healthy Hip Hop is ready to perfect the next generation of its youth entertainment and education tech, strengthen the company’s sales and marketing efforts and hire a C-suite level employee.  “We found our niche in the tech space, and it’s how…

NMotion Accelerator targets KC startup founders for new venture studio backed by gener8tor; deadline extended to Nov. 2

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by the NMotion startup accelerator, but was independently produced by Startland News. Moving startups forward, faster, has long been the mission behind Lincoln, Nebraska-based NMotion Accelerator  — but it’s just one perk of the program that’s generating next-level entrepreneurial growth as it debuts a new venture studio. “We’re focused on…

Andrew Dowis, Pro Athlete

KC Hall of Fame: Pro Athlete named Small Business of the Year for decades-long winning strategy

Making stewardship — and “blowing people’s minds” — the strategy for your business isn’t always the easiest approach, especially during trying times, said Andrew Dowis, but it’s the most rewarding. “Push yourself to say yes to that crazy idea that doesn’t make sense for the bottom line but makes sense for the betterment of you…

Nomi Smith, PMI Rate Pro, Pure Pitch Rally 2020; photo by Mikaela Wendel Photography

Big winner at the Pure Pitch Rally: the American dream (and 8 pitchers vying for more than $91K)

Seven months after launching her startup, Nomi Smith’s PMI Rate Pro already is integrated with the nation’s six private mortgage insurance providers — saving more than 2,000 hours for loan officers and more than $1 million for homebuyers, she said. Competing Monday on stage at the Pure Pitch Rally was another critical milestone, Smith told…

Isaac Hodges, Messenger Coffee Company, and Dan Trott, FairWave Holdings

Stronger brew: Messenger blends coffee collective into its behind-the-scenes menu

As the smells of Ibis Bakery and roasting beans waft together at Messenger Coffee in the Crossroads, rising between floors of the spacious and vibrant corner cafe, the flavors haven’t changed since COVID-19 began — nor since the popular Kansas City roasterie joined a freshly launched coffee collective, said Isaac Hodges. It’s still steeped in…