Startups Stories

Just-launched initiative aims to capitalize on Kansas City’s promise as a global leader in health tech, renews call for KC investment

Advancing Kansas City’s digital health industry begins with attracting and nurturing talent, said Dick Flanigan. “What [Digital Health KC] seeks to do is connect ideas to talent; talent to capital; capital to companies and companies to marketplace — and we do not lack for ideas,” said Flanigan, who serves as the CEO of Digital Health…

Chat GPT isn’t an AI superhero, founder says, but with the right context this new tech can save the day for businesses

An emerging Kansas City entrepreneur hopes to train businesses on how they can harness the power of Chat GPT to gain a competitive advantage, he said. Learning how to effectively utilize Chat GPT — an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI and recently introduced into the market — can benefit all companies by streamlining operations…

Wave of anti-trans bills in Midwest could turn founders (and their businesses) into political refugees fleeing MO, KS

At 50, Suzanne Wheeler never imagined her government would propose legislation to take her health care away, she shared. In April, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced a plan to issue emergency rules on transgender care. The regulations would make Missouri the first state to severely restrict transgender care for adults, in addition to children….

Combat to capital: Vetelligence founder secures NMotion investment, accelerator deployment

A Kansas City-based startup focused on guiding military service members into tech careers is among the latest companies selected for a top regional accelerator — strengthened by its founder’s own background as a veteran-turned-entrepreneur. Vetelligence — led by Zachary Oshinbanjo, who served nearly four years as an indirect infantryman and specialist in the U.S. Army…

Donald Hawkins, KC Collective; STARTLAND's Innovation Exchange

Former KC startup acquired by Atlanta-based banking platform, uniting two of the largest Black-owned fintechs

ATLANTA — Greenwood, a digital banking platform for Black and Latino individuals and businesses, announced this week its acquisition of Kansas City-founded Kinly — a neobank building generational wealth for Black America. The deal will help grow Atlanta-based Greenwood’s ecosystem of more than 1 million members and provide Kinly’s community of more than 300,000 with…