Woman-led Stories

Pitch competition at GEW Topeka puts $38K on the line for women, entrepreneurs of color

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.  TOPEKA — Building an equitable business community in Shawnee County is critical to economic development in and around the state’s capital city, said Glenda Washington. A pitch competition slated for…

These three KC startup founders are jumping into the Dolphin Tank, hoping to swim with the unicorns

When the Dolphin Tank pitch showcase sinks its teeth into a market like Kansas City, the goal is to accelerate women-led tech companies to a national level, said Rachel Rong. “Our mission is to build out the ecosystem and support women entrepreneurs in Kansas City,” said Rong, the director of operations for Springboard Enterprises, which…

GreenLight Fund’s $1.2M investment brings two nonprofits focused on food security to KC

GreenLight Fund Kansas City recently announced a $1.2 million investment spread over four years to bring nonprofit solutions mRelief and Food Connect to the Kansas City region, addressing food security through responsive approaches to dignified food access. The two organizations have already begun work in Kansas City. mRelief uses technology to remove traditional barriers in the Supplemental Nutrition…

Entrepreneur on the side: UMKC challenge awards cash for top student hustle

Side hustles are a growing trend across the country — and the UMKC campus, said Alex Krause Matlack, noting the university is leaning into its role as an innovation incubator for student founders. Now in its second year, UMKC’s Side Hustle Challenge was established with the primary goal of empowering students with the knowledge and…

Squirrel dinner: Families turn to bushy-tailed mammals for nutritious, sustainable meat

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. LAWRENCE, Kansas — A line formed around a conference table as folks helped themselves to bowls…