Latest Stories
KC Restaurant Week breaks down silos between diners, Kansas City’s chef-driven food scene
One of Johnson County’s favorite destination culinary experiences is back on the menu for Kansas City Restaurant Week, a 10-day showcase of innovative tastes from kitchens across the metro. “It helps the food industry,” said Laura Favela, executive chef at Silo Modern Farmhouse, said of the highly-anticipated, post-holidays event series. “The second goal is to…
Style on standby: How an 18th & Vine barber shop is turning heads inside KC’s airport
Armon Lasker’s barber shop inside security at the new Kansas City airport terminal flies a cut above the rest, said the former information technology professional-turned-entrepreneur. His spot — Director’s Cut: Take Two — allows travelers to conveniently get a haircut and other services before or after their flights. “This is the first one like this,” said…
Construction tech startup built for the job site, cementing quality data into infrastructure
A veteran Kansas City startup duo’s latest project — Tractics — is set to disrupt an in-demand, yet underserved, market with its construction management platform for heavy civil contractors. “True disruption occurs when behavior changes and I think we found an opportunity to change behavior in a positive way and continue to innovate in a…
Startup founded to save local news acquires Modulist, expanding to obits, classifieds
A fast-growing public notice software platform with Kansas ties this week announced its acquisition of a North Dakota company built to serve publishers with paid celebrations, obituaries, and announcements. Column — founded by Jake Seaton, a fifth-generation member of the Manhattan, Kansas-based Seaton newspaper family — is expected to expand its own platform with the Modulist…
New KC STEM Alliance leader: All students have a place in Kansas City’s emerging Tech Hub
Growing Kansas City as a hub for STEM industries brings additional opportunities for connection and collaboration, the incoming leader of the KC STEM Alliance said, highlighting the role young people can play in the evolving innovation economy. “Kansas City and the surrounding region’s designation as a 2023 Tech Hub (KC BioHub) brings a real opportunity…
Purina prize earns KC startup a $25K treat in its bid to help foster pets of abuse survivors without safe homes
ST. LOUIS — As a finalist for Purina’s 2024 Pet Care Innovation Prize, Kansas City-built BestyBnB is expected to receive $25,000 and support from the pet care leader as the startup’s co-founders work to grow their business in a $136.8 billion industry. A $25,000 grand prize is on the line this spring. “At Purina, our…
After startup’s failure, founder looks inward to rebuild faith in himself as an entrepreneur
ST. LOUIS — In his first go-round as an entrepreneur, Brad Starnes lost himself in his startup, he shared. This time, the 2021 UMKC Student Entrepreneur of the Year and former Splitsy co-founder is building a startup around authenticity and his own personal brand. “Going into the beginning of 2023, I realized that who I…
Small Biz Superstars shines light on entrepreneurs in the shadows; Nominations open now
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Being designated a Small Business Superstar in 2023 provided much needed visibility for The Scented Webb, Victoria Campbell Osborne shared. She credits the program with helping to…
Just funded: Meet nine innovative startups earning critical early funding from Digital Sandbox KC
Proof-of-concept funding from Digital Sandbox KC comes at a pivotal moment for Noonan Caddie, said Matt Williams, detailing plans to accelerate his startup’s technology with the program’s support. “This funding will be instrumental in transforming our MVP into a fully-fledged commercial product, accelerating our speed to market significantly,” said Williams, CEO and co-founder of Noonan,…
2024 Startups to Watch: CodeAlgo Academy gamifies coding to build equity into new wave of software engineers
Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its ninth 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 2024’s companies….
