Missouri-built autonomous railcars deploying to Columbia tracks in $16.2M federal tech test
A project meant to demonstrate the viability of autonomous freight railcars along the more than 600 short lines across the U.S. is rolling forward thanks to a $16.2 million federal grant connecting TugVolt technology to Missouri’s Columbia Terminal Railroad (COLT).
Winning element: KU-linked startup mines critical spot-cash support at Pure Pitch Rally
Bri Farris was a little surprised at the backing — and stack of novelty checks — given to Electravera at Monday’s Pure Pitch Rally, she said, even though her startup’s innovative electrochemical process to recover high-purity lithium and cobalt derivatives tracks well with the region’s momentum around critical materials.
How a $10K Folklore grant bloomed at just the right moment for this struggling small business
After her Bloom With Love flower shop flooded in summer 2025, an unexpected grant win from the Folklore initiative served as a sign from the universe to keep going, Olivia Esquivel shared. Her store is now flowering along the KC Streetcar line with new opportunities.
Emerging KC startup Treso raises $3.75M to simplify complex healthcare transactions
Physician practices are expected to run complex businesses, said Ryan Greenhaw, but they’ve been left to piece their finances together on their own — often with tools that are too expensive or disconnected to justify the investment. A new platform backed by KCRise Fund could fill that gap.
Registering momentum: Pitch winner gains traction with care support tech platform
The winning company at Thursday’s Square One small business pitch competition continues to evolve as audiences — along with patients, caregivers, and partners — get a closer look at the Kansas City-built tech platform’s personalized support registries and guided planning, said Amy Steinhour.
Just funded: Digital Sandbox KC awards $160K+ to eight emerging tech startups
Boosting innovators with up to $20,000 in proof-of-concept support can be the catalyst for a company surviving to see its next stage of growth, said Kayla Anderson, announcing eight newly funded startups that are joining the ranks of Digital Sandbox KC.
Innovative leader wins Kauffman’s $75K prize: KC is stronger when it rallies together, school founder says
Accepting the first-ever Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award, Tysie McDowell pointed to the team who helped her build Crossroads Charter Schools — and challenged those gathered in celebration of her Thursday to create legacies of their own.
TechAccel advances on two agriculture deals
Technology Acceleration Partners, or TechAccel, advanced two deals that significantly boost the group’s investment effort into the agriculture sector. The deals include a licensing agreement with Kansas State University for a patent on a bio-pesticide, and an equity investment in Benson Hill Biosystems. The private capital development company — founded by Michael Helmstetter and the Bicknell Family Holding Company — announced the…
Angel investors recommit to KC with new fund
A new micro venture investment fund launched in Kansas City last week is targeting local, regional and national technology and science startups for funding. The fund, run by Angel Capital Group, is targeting $1 million to $5 million in capital to invest. This isn’t ACG’s first funding effort in Kansas City. The organization has a…
Sherry Turner talks diversity, funding landscape
There are few people in Kansas City that have worked harder than Sherry Turner to increase women’s engagement in entrepreneurship. Founder of OneKC for Women, Turner works to help women in the area find jobs, start businesses, get financing or invest in other businesses through a variety of organizations. After years leading large corporate teams,…
Pop Bookings nearing seed round goal
Kansas City-based Pop Bookings has snagged $150,000 of its seed round that will boost development and marketing of its online event-staffing platform. The company ultimately hopes to push its round to $250,000 before closing, Pop Bookings CEO Erika Klotz said. A recent graduate of business accelerator SparkLabKC, Pop Bookings opened its round in April at $250,000, with…
LaunchKC cuts applicant field to 100 grant finalists
An international grant competition that will welcome 10 new tech firms to Kansas City has cut a few hundred companies from its field of applicants. LaunchKC — which aims to attract 10 tech firms to relocate to KC with $50,000 grants — notified 100 finalists of the competition on Wednesday via an email. Judges identified…
Scholarship courses available to KC entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners in Kansas City, Mo., can now tap a variety of scholarship opportunities to help their ventures grow. The Urban Business Growth Initiative is offering scholarships to three courses this fall that hope to assist Kansas City business owners develop their vision, test market viability and more. Some scholarships are worth…