Latest Stories
PayIt rings in new year with expanded executive team, repeat GovTech 100 honors
GovTech leader PayIt continues its rapid growth after a massive 2019 funding year, thanks to the hiring of another key C-suite executive — a 20-year veteran in enterprise software sales and leadership. The move puts Neil Graham in the role of PayIt’s first chief revenue officer, and brings the executive team of the industry award-winning…
Pipeline names OKC startup veteran, podcast host as fellowship’s new executive director
A tech startup founder and community builder in the Oklahoma City innovation ecosystem will soon work to open the valve for greater entrepreneurship support in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. The Pipeline entrepreneurs fellowship, a network of some of the Midwest’s most successful and high-performance startup leaders, announced Tuesday that Melissa Vincent would take over leadership…
Legal tech startup Stenovate earns Fountain Innovation Fund’s second investment
The Fountain Innovation Fund is flowing with Kansas City-based Stenovate selected as the second startup to earn its support, the Enterprise Center in Johnson County announced Wednesday. “Stenovate is an exciting investment for the Fountain Innovation Fund,” explained Maggie Kenefake, managing director of the fund, which chose to back Stenovate based on the emerging startup’s…
Fund Me, KC: Mind Star App ‘needed in my darkest moments,’ says founder, survivor of depression
Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Kristin Rulon with her Mind Star Health campaign — to share their crowdfunding stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Who are you? Kristin Rulon, founder and CEO…
$16.4M third fund for Royal Street; KC needs at least one $100M exit each year, leader says
A $16.4 million third fund will see Kansas City-rooted Royal Street Ventures claim even more stake in area startups and establish itself as a leader in locally-sourced venture capital, said Laura Brady. “We have invested in six companies in Kansas City — including two already in Fund III,” Brady, Royal Street’s managing director, noted of the…
No MO: Kansas City, St. Louis drop off Inc list of ‘50 Best Cities for Starting a Business’
Shots fired. A new ranking by Inc. magazine claims startup powerhouse Austin, Texas, is “leading the nation in job creation and high-growth company density — and delish BBQ.” Kansas City? Not even on the list. Inc.’s Surge Cities index — detailing what founders can learn from the 50 Best U.S. Cities for Starting a Business…
Meet the 2020 class: BetaBlox demo day returning with events across startup sister cities
Audience tickets for BetaBlox’s Overland Park demo day are nearly gone, said Weston Bergmann, just weeks before the incubator program showcases its newest startups across three events in two cities. The “can’t-miss entrepreneurship event” Jan. 20 at the GRID Collaborative Workspace is expected to entail a combination of pitches, expo-style networking, and a panel of…
An entrepreneur’s confession: Being a stay-at-home dad is the manliest thing I’ve ever done
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. I am the man! Women stay at home and care for the children. Men are the breadwinners. Throughout history, that has been the societal norm. Women take care of home and men are the providers. From the hunter-gather period, until modern times —…
Pathways to inclusive prosperity: Racial and economic disparity impact all of Kansas City
Editor’s note: The following is excerpted from opening remarks by David Warm, executive director of the Mid-America Regional Council, at the 9th Annual Greater Kansas City Education and Workforce Summit, which assembled more than 150 education, workforce, civic and business leaders to explore expanding pathways to inclusive prosperity. The summit was hosted by Ewing Marion…
FitBark GPS launches with embedded sim card for tracking lost pups via cell service
FitBark’s latest treat for pet lovers: A four-legged friend finder. FitBark GPS recently launched in the Kansas City-based startup’s U.S. market, said Davide Rossi, co-founder and CEO, detailing new features that allow owners to pinpoint their dogs’ locations in case of emergency via embedded Verizon cell service. “We send all of the owners an alert…
