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New ranking: How KC can break into the Top 10 Midwest startup cities (and why it hasn’t yet)
A freshly released ranking of Midwest startup hubs shows Kansas City maintaining its years-long position at No. 12, but warns — despite a few recent headline-grabbing wins — the metro faces the threat of stagnation without increased activity, startup reinvestment and government support. “You had to get more funding and big exits just to stay…
Blakk men are more than what you see on the 9 o’clock news, says members-only social club
Defining what it means to be a Black man is among the most important goals for a newly opened Midtown gentlemen’s club, Christina Williams explained, offering insight into what men of color are raised and called to be — but that society has often twisted into something unfair. “It has nothing to do with color. It’s…
Bodify joins Tulsa accelerator with $70K investment, ‘knocking down a lot of dominoes’
One of Kansas City’s most tenacious founders is in the midst of an intensive, six-month accelerator aimed at bringing her fashion tech startup to revenue without decreasing her ownership stake in the company. “Follow-on investment is nice, but you don’t have a company without revenue,” said Carlanda McKinney, founder and CEO of Bodify. “For me,…
Esports orgs target more diversity in gaming; Mayor Q to join weekend ‘Among Us’ stream to boost message
Two Kansas City esports organizations are uniting behind one jersey to help make the rapidly expanding online gaming community more accessible to students in Title 1 schools across Missouri. “Esports brings kids together who might not otherwise have the chance to be a part of a broader community,” said Mason Mullenioux, CEO of Generation Esports…
Missouri angel tax credits? New grants? Show-Me State tech advocates researching next generation of incentives for entrepreneurs
The future of entrepreneurial support in Missouri could hinge on what those in the trenches say are the state’s biggest barriers to startup success, said Jack Scatizzi, announcing a new data-driven effort to reshape Missouri’s strategy for cultivating innovation. “The initiative will include quantitative and qualitative aspects that will be incorporated into a strategic plan…
KC tech guru, startup advocate talks cryptocurrency’s value: ‘History doesn’t always repeat itself, but it often rhymes’
Cryptocurrency eventually will cause the most significant exchange of wealth mankind has ever experienced, Matthew Marcus forecast, and the web developer-turned-startup community organizer hopes to help others get involved early. “We are essentially in the early 1990s of the internet. The same way we talked about the internet and email 20-some years ago, will be…
Watch: Meet the band of local contractors behind the development of Troost Village
Editor’s note: The following story includes the second video in a four-part series taking a look under the hard hats at the Troost Village development, a $162 million project on Troost Avenue, the city’s longtime racial dividing line. Videos in this series are expected to debut on Startland News as the project unfolds. Click here…
How library advocates turned the page after COVID with a ‘tidal wave’ of online sales
Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by Academy Bank, a Kansas City based community bank, and is part of a series of features spotlighting some of the bank’s startup and small business partners. Even a storied community resource relies on innovation for its survival, said Shanta Dickerson, noting classic trust and accountability also have…
Whataburger planning 30 new KS-MO restaurants with help of KC’s newest serial investor: Patrick Mahomes
A years-long effort to bring a Texas burger chain to Kansas City is turning into a bigger order than Whataburger fans likely ever dreamed — all with the help of brand superfan and now chief investor Patrick Mahomes II. Whataburger on Tuesday announced plans to open 30 new restaurants — spanning from Wichita, Kansas to…
Why a new founder-first Midwest incubator sees scarcity as a source of strength
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. COLUMBIA,…
