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.
Resonus earns MTC investment, vote of confidence as startup accelerates its go-to-market plans
A Kansas City govtech startup is among eight Missouri innovators selected to receive a share of $6.1 million in equity-based investments from MTC’s state-sponsored venture capital program, the agency announced Tuesday.
Just funded: Digital Health KC taps 8 KC startups for new ‘Accelerate’ project grants
A $332,750 tranche of newly announced project-based funding is designed to propel promising digital health companies toward their next critical milestones, said Dick Flanigan, emphasizing pathways from technology advancements to product validation.
Full-circle victory for UMKC grad who retook the stage to win RVCC with her startup
Winning the top prize for community startups at the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge was a transformational way to cap Antoinette Redmond’s UMKC experience, the Neuru founder said Friday, after earning $20,000 of the record $180,000 awarded to student and community entrepreneurs.
Great Jobs KC awarded $3.8M+ Patterson grant to expand rural workforce training into Kansas, Missouri
A three-year grant from the Patterson Family Foundation is expected to help Great Jobs KC bring life-changing training and wraparound support services to workers in rural counties on both sides of the state line, said Earl Martin Phalen.
Techstars prescribes $220K investment, credibility boost for KC healthtech startup
“It’s a point of validation that somebody else thinks highly enough of the vision we’ve set,” said Dr. Brandy Archie. “We think we can grow to be a force and make a big change in the world, and they back that with dollars and see that possibility.”
Just funded: Meet 6 new Sandbox startups poised to impact digital health, AI innovation
A fresh round of novel technology concepts — ranging from deterring AI-powered surveillance to supporting families raising autistic children — are among the latest to earn proof-of-concept backing from Digital Sandbox KC.