Latest Stories

How ‘raving fans’ in small town Kansas built this govtech startup’s sales funnel

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV), a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. MANHATTAN, Kansas — A trio of govtech…

Royals announce gaming partnership with KC’s premier esports org: We share the same DNA

The Kansas City Royals on Monday announced a partnership with one of the fastest-growing esports organizations in North America: the Kansas City Pioneers. Among the first partnerships of its kind in the MLB, the move represents an opportunity to connect two passionate fan bases — baseball fans and fans of gaming, the Royals said in…

SafetyCulture taps chair of Tesla’s board of directors as KC-rooted scaleup eyes new growth phase

Robyn Denholm brings a wealth of senior-level tech experience, leadership, and advocacy to SafetyCulture’s board of directors, the company said Monday, noting Denholm’s role as a leading voice calling for more diversity in the sector. SafetyCulture, a $2.2 billion Australian scaleup, houses its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, where it has been…

$60K in pitch competition winnings will help Black-owned businesses drive employment, book purchases

The owner of a mobile phlebotomy company took home the $30,000 grand prize at Friday’s We Are Black pitch competition — the first such event organized by Kansas City G.I.F.T. LaVita Green said the funding and resources from G.I.F.T. will help Caresticks Mobile Phlebotomy, which provides patients with on-site and mobile phlebotomy services, to grow…

Documentaries with KC ties set for FilmFest screens: Here’s when you can see these gripping films in local theaters

Streaming services might have become the standard since the COVID-19 pandemic drove more people to entertain themselves from home, but filmmakers and film enthusiasts are encouraging the community to gather at theaters for the 27th annual Kansas City FilmFest International. “What’s so great about film festivals is that you’re able to see these films months…

Hope starts at home: Economic mobility, inclusion hinge on realities of identity, panel says

Editor’s note: The Junior League of Kansas City — through its C3KC conference — is an advertiser with Startland News. An important step in bridging the wealth gap and building equity is meeting people at their level of readiness, Terrell Jolly shared. “Because if you do not, they will inconvenience you in some kind of way and that’s the sad…

Devoured Pizza rising into brick-and-mortar space with elevated concept, revenue sharing campaign

Devoured Pizza is on a mission to change the way people eat pizza in Kansas City, Jhy Coulter said, and the community has the opportunity to get involved now more than ever.  “Food in Kansas City is evolving. It’s getting better and better, and I want to be part of that. Pizza is this canvas…

‘Return of the Shihan’ live screening just a teaser, says filmmaker who wants KC to build its own Hollywood 

Kansas City’s “first superhero” is set to debut on the big screen for a live audience Saturday evening at the Gem Theater — the first installment of a planned “Return of the Shihan” TV series from local filmmaker Victor Wilson, Jr. Wilson — better known to many by his alter ego “Pudgy PoKCettz” — created…

Remote control cattle: Virtual fencing tech reduces herds’ carbon hoofprint, puts rancher pain points out to pasture

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. LINCOLN, Nebraska — Corral Technologies is taking cattle control virtual, founder Jack Keating shared. Using satellite maps and solar collars, the agtech startup offers a virtual fencing system to help…

White Castle invented sliders (and the playbook for fast food); then the Kansas-fried chain vanished from its home state

Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. For more stories like this one, subscribe to A People’s History of Kansas City on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. The White Castle chain began in 1921…