Startups Stories

Pipeline celebrates Evan Luxon, Esculon

Pipeline celebrates Innovator of the Year, diversity of fellows’ firms (Photos)

Throughout Thursday night’s The Innovators gala, alumni of the Pipeline fellowship teased that their individual classes were the best in the entrepreneur network’s 11-year history. Newcomer to the stage Evan Luxon, however, made a case for the tight-knit 2017 fellows based on the group’s perseverance. “We’re a small, but mighty class,” said Luxon, winner of…

Brandon Williams, E-Sports Bar KC Kansas City gaming

‘Better together’: Kansas City gaming startups level up with new entertainment venues

The eSports industry is blowing up, Brandon Williams said. And Kansas City gaming enthusiasts need places to join the party. “It’s a stereotype, but overall, gamers mostly are introverts,” said Williams, co-owner of E-Sports Bar KC in Shawnee. “It’s good to get out of the house and into a setting where there are other people…

Joe and Toyia Mays, The Laya Center coworking spa

Ex-KC Chiefs player opens coworking spa space to boost creativity, holistic wellness (Photos)

With long hours and potent job stresses, entrepreneurs often are more mindful of their business’s health than their own, said Joe Mays. The former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker teamed with his wife, Toyia, to open a coworking spa space within their holistic wellness venture, The Laya Center. Targeting individual and small-team innovators, the duo hopes…

Megan Day, Burnt Finger BBQ

Bacon Explosion pizza partnership with Minsky’s tops meaty six months for Megan Day

There’s more than one way to slice Burnt Finger BBQ’s signature sausage log, Megan Day said. For the Bacon Explosion Pizza, that’s julienned — with barbecue sauce and pickles. “The taste that comes through from the Bacon Explosion is the star of that pizza,” added Mike Burr, general manager for Minsky’s Pizza, which has partnered…

SlickRinse

Fund Me, KC: SlickRinse helps preserve your contact lenses

Editor’s note: Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com. Who are you? Brandon Presley, founder of SlickRinse What’s your product? SlickRinse is a new contact lens case that helps you take better…