Woman-led Stories

2025 Startups to Watch: Hilltop Technologies targets cybersecurity for Main Street (with help from next-gen talent)

Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its 10th year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest, most compelling news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2025’s companies….

2025 Startups to Watch: Icorium matches a complex environmental threat with Kansas-powered innovation

Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its 10th year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest, most compelling news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2025’s companies….

2025 Startups to Watch: Marma pushes women’s nutrition to the forefront, birthing resources on demand

Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its 10th year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest, most compelling news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2025’s companies….

Herbalist’s new shop on The Paseo deepens access to natural flavors in east side food desert

Potential customers who were once hesitant to try Rosierra “Rosie” Warren’s sweet Fruity Tutti Tea got free samples of the brew; now it’s one of her bestsellers at Nature Made Me, an apothecary and teahouse on The Paseo. More spicy flavors, like the Golden Milk tea (spiced chai with turmeric, ginger and black pepper), also…

KC inventor rolls elevated litter box to market (and cats already are making the leap)

Amy Leiker can take criticism and feedback, the Lenexa-based LoftyLoo creator said, noting she couldn’t have survived a career in corporate marketing and health care without it. So when it comes to her elevated litter box invention, she’s quick to jump to its defense, but open to making the product even more user (and cat)…