Latest Stories
Startup led by serial entrepreneur expands into women’s health ahead of $1.5M seed round
Portable diagnostic imaging for women’s health will help bridge a care gap in Kansas and Missouri, said Jeff Blackwood, as his startup expands the scope of on-site ultrasound capabilities available to patients in Kansas City and beyond. “New Frontier Mobile Diagnostics is directly addressing health equity and access to care with our services, and we’re…
Plug and Play selects KC startup for Topeka accelerator; Top City beginning to believe in itself
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 the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. Plug…
How watching a 1-minute video could help a Kansas City startup win $200K
TL;DR — Clara Biotech needs views and likes on a company explainer video in order to advance in a highly competitive pitch event. Click here to watch the video or keep reading. Online audience support could help propel a local biotech startup into the finals of an Oct. 15 pitch competition where the winner will…
United WE powers forward with initiative to appoint women into government positions
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly saluted United WE Wednesday as the women-focused nonprofit celebrated 30 years of change-making across the two-state region — from strengthening workplace benefits to empowering more women into civic leadership. “United WE is making a huge difference. Just this year, United WE partnered with my office to significantly expand parental leave benefits…
KC company packages guilt-free plastic alternative with new fashion line by Grammy-winning Ciara
A Kansas City company’s groundbreaking biodegradable packaging will help send shipping waste from a fashion icon’s new clothing line back to the earth, officials from Biolo announced Thursday. LITA by Ciara — The House of LR&C’s new consciously created, ready to wear collection, inspired by Grammy award-winning singer Ciara — will include sustainable packaging for…
AltCap, GIFT, small business allies partner to expand opportunities for Black-owned ventures
A coalition of Kansas City organizations have joined forces to launch a new partnership that will invest in the region’s Black-owned small businesses through flexible debt and equity financing, grant funding and business advisory services, the group announced Thursday. “Unfortunately, many Black entrepreneurs are left out of the financial mainstream when it comes to business…
No soy tu chacha: How four Latinx moms (and 600+ of their closest friends) are cleaning up gender roles
Editor’s note: Veronica Alvidrez is a member of the education team at Startland, the parent organization of Startland News. This story, detailing Alvidrez’s business, paraMi, was produced independently by Startland News’ independent nonprofit newsroom. One year ago in the thick of the pandemic, Veronica Alvidrez felt like she was losing her voice. Not the literal one —…
Fund Me, KC: Maker of first girls wrestling shoe launches new feat — a pair for the champions
Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses or lend a helping hand to others. This is an opportunity for business owners and innovators — like Kansas City’s Deb North and the newly launched Champion1 girls wrestling shoe — to share their crowdfunding stories and…
UMKC unveils innovation studio, inviting students, entrepreneurs to collaborate within $32M research center
In a hiring environment where college graduates are expected to possess honed skills for even entry-level positions, a state-of-the-art innovation studio in the heart of Kansas City allows students access to technology to actually build products within their chosen professions. “We have never had a facility like this — with the diversity of equipment and…
An absent-minded workplace gaffe, a nationwide Starbucks controversy; why the CEO ‘leadership jersey’ demands fearlessness on diversity, inclusion
Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by Morgan Stanley, a New York-based multinational investment bank and financial services company, and is a follow-up to this summer’s “Nothing to Fear” virtual panel discussion on diversity and inclusion efforts. The conversation was led by Carla Harris, vice chairman and managing director at Morgan Stanley, with moderator Channa…
