Startups Stories

Photos: Culture pops as Kritiq puts KC’s fashion family on the runway

The evolution of the Kritiq fashion show — from a one-night event to a full weekend showcasing up-and-coming artists and fashion designers in streetwear and high fashion — was an intentional effort to reflect Kansas City’s booming creative landscape, said Mark Launiu. “The culture [of Kansas City] is changing and we have to be a…

Matt Watson, Stackify, Full Scale, Startup Hustle podcast

More than a podcast host: Matt Watson’s Stackify raises $6M in rapid scaling maneuver

Stackify expects growth on the heels of a freshly announced $6 million funding raise, explained Matt Watson. “We have still never taken any outside, institutional VC money. All the [investments] we’ve raised have been from local Kansas City investors, which is pretty cool,” Watson, founder and CEO, said noting the company’s recent raise was a…

Dan Smith, The Porter House KC

KCultivator Q&A: Dan Smith coaches retail potential from within east side entrepreneurs

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. As Dan Smith looked around Kansas City, he saw his hometown continuously…

Social Side Effect: Kilee Nickels says Instagram built Nickel & Suede (and the proof is in the postings) 

Editor’s note: Social Side Effect is an ongoing profile series that identifies the intersection between social influencing and entrepreneurship   When customers care, business is better and social media proves it, said Kilee Nickels.  “Having Instagram, having Facebook, having a blog, definitely got our business started and kept us going for so long,” added Nickels, CEO…

AccessAble Living

AccessAble Living: $10K prize will help AltCap Your Biz winner speed services to seniors

A medical supply startup designed to help Kansas Citians age in place earned judges’ seal of approval — and $10,000 — in the 2019 AltCap Your Biz Competition. “I hope this is a jumpstart for us to help solve a common healthcare problem,” said Dr. Brandy Archie, director of AccessAble Living, Wednesday night during Global…