Latest Stories
Royals ballpark plan gains support among longtime Crossroads advocates, though questions linger
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. The Kansas City Royals’ controversial Crossroads ballpark plan has qualified support from some longtime…
Quick studies: These Kansans just left their college careers for $500K (and a crash course in startups)
When a friend encouraged Aditya Joshi and Varun Verma to apply for the Y Combinator accelerator program, the Wichita natives didn’t expect to land an interview, they shared — much less get accepted. “Truly, all we had was this idea and a couple of months under our belt of just talking to different folks,” Joshi…
Siblings spin family pet into family business, capitalizing on alpaca’s plush potential
One Wyandotte County family’s trip to a local fair inspired their interest in alpacas, but it wasn’t until they brought one of the animals home as a pet that they realized the business opportunities they’d unleashed. “That’s where the idea started of — ‘Hey, we can actually make this an Alpaca clothing company and reduce…
Black Drip releases canned cold brew as KC coffee maker leans into creative blends
A new cold brew version from Charon Thompson’s popular Kansas City coffee brand drips with strength, the co-founder said, teasing its arrival on the market just as the metro begins to heat up for the spring. “I can’t sell hot coffee when it’s like 92 degrees,” said Thompson, recalling an experience during a Black Drip…
GOP lawmaker from Missouri takes over chair of Small Business Caucus in DC
Entrepreneurship and small businesses are the lifeblood of America, said Mark Alford, pledging to use his new leadership role within the Small Business Caucus to help fellow congressmen workshop and pursue policies that will “ensure the safety and prosperity of Main Street America.” U.S. Rep. Alford, R-Missouri, publicly took over the co-chair role of the…
KC is creating jobs like never before; here’s what’s behind the surge (hint: it’s small biz hiring)
Editor’s note: KCSourceLink and MOSourceLink are non-financial, community partners of Startland News. The latest ‘We Create Jobs’ report highlights the continued economic impact of KC’s small businesses and tech startups Kansas City startups created more than 19,700 jobs in 2022, yet again creating more jobs than in any of the previous five years. Additionally, as…
Food fit: Kansas City health startup attains Endeavor Heartland greenlight at first KC selection panel
Moving forward in the process to become an Endeavor Entrepreneur builds on 18 months of momentum for the newly branded Attane Health, said founder Emily Brown. Her Kansas City-based, food- and nutrition-focused startup moved one step closer to the Endeavor designation — a move that ultimately would elevate Attane Health on a global scale —…
Waldo Thai owner serves first chef collaboration for Kemper Museum’s Artist Dinner Series
The first in a series of three dinner events at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is set to feature James Beard semifinalist Pam Liberda, head chef and owner of Waldo Thai — creating a one-of-a-kind dining experiences blending together the creative worlds of food and art. “Kemper Museum has always cultivated connections between contemporary artists…
No ribbon cutting when a business closes, Plowboys founder says: Know how to start (and stop) on your own terms
A year and a half after Todd Johns closed his restaurants to focus instead on Plowboys-branded retail products, Johns would rather leave a legacy that’s felt within the Kansas City barbecue community than be known as a legend, he shared. “I’d rather know that I helped someone here,” the president of Plowboys Foods told attendees…
KU Innovation Park names new CEO as business incubator ramps up regional eco devo efforts
LAWRENCE — A longtime financial executive at the KU Innovation Park who successfully led funding efforts for the nonprofit economic development organization’s sprawling campus has been officially named its CEO. Adam Courtney most recently served as CFO for the Lawrence-based KU Innovation Park before being named interim CEO in September 2023 after the passing of the…
