Startups Stories

10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020

Their hustle is fierce — their stories, strategies and strengths uncommon.  The future newsmakers rounding out Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020 list are hungry to disrupt. They’re eager to drive and inspire innovation in industries under-explored or altogether forgotten.  They’re creating awareness; offering sustainable solutions to everyday problems.  These are startups…

Nathan Corn, FlexPro

BetaBlox veteran Nathan Corn flexes ‘bootstrapped’ label with $12M in annual revenue

Nathan Corn began with hustle and an $8,000 nest egg, determined to make it as an entrepreneur who tapped Kansas City resources but wasn’t limited by geography, he said.  “[I said,] ‘If I can take the next 10 years of my life and just give everything to growing a company, then that’s it. I’m going…

Chiefs’ Super Bowl run ‘like Christmas’ (and Royals’ big win) all over again for KC apparel startups

The Chiefs heading to the Super Bowl isn’t just a good look for the team — it’s a win for small business owners as excited Kansas Citians buy local to keep the party going, said Mark Launiu. “I was really stoked for the city obviously, but I just texted my friends like, ‘Man, if you…

Thalia Cherry, Cherry; KC Legacy collection

Cherry designs Chiefs-inspired KC Legacy collection for one city, united in sports

A new Cherry sports apparel collection commemorates past Chiefs players with a focus on community impact and bridging a divided Kansas City through pride in the city teams, said Thalia Cherry.  “I think the excitement around the Chiefs will be here for years to come, and … I often share when I speak with groups…

TechMap Kansas reveals open tech jobs, potential for startups to reshape employment trends

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. LAWRENCE…