Latest Stories
KCultivator Q&A: Katie Kimbrell pushes reimagined education, equality for women
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by WeWork Corrigan Station, a modern twist on Kansas City office space. MECA Challenge and Startland News are both programs of the Kansas City Startup Foundation, though the content below was produced…
Wild Way mobile coffee shop makes camp for winter in Crossroads warehouse
Winter weather has proven a little too wild for Christine Clutton’s coffee camper, the Wild Way founder said, revealing an indoor, seasonal home for the mobile coffee shop. “We are in a warehouse, but operate in a camper still,” she said of the Wild Way Winter Warehouse space at 708 E. 19th St. “We just…
Get in front of investors: Deadline nearing for InvestMidwest premier venture showcase
InvestMidwest presents more than just an opportunity for startups to pitch to a crowd from outside Kansas City, said Kyle FitzGerald. The event — which spotlights high-growth companies seeking at least $1 million — fosters real investor connections, he added. “It’s the region’s best chance to get in front of a high volume of very qualified…
Best-in-show FitBark pet tech now groomed for 2019 launch on FitBit
Kansas City-bred FitBark is set to unleash a new partnership with industry-leading fitness wearable FitBit in early 2019, the company announced Monday. “For many of us, happiness is about helping others achieve their goals,” said Davide Rossi, CEO and co-founder of FitBark. “We may not have the motivation to get in the gym every day,…
Woof’s dog spa wagging into new markets with startup mindset, owner says
It’s a classic startup tail: Disillusionment with corporate life sends a would-be founder fetching for fresh ideas and more innovative inspiration. Woof’s Play & Stay provided Andy Wiltz the opportunity to scratch that itch, the dog spa owner said. Purchasing the plateauing brand in 2015, Wiltz turned his original Merriam location into a model for…
Destiny Wealth moving HQ to KC; former football player owes debt of inspiration to mother
Grit and the gridiron might have helped shape Parker Graham’s business acumen, but it’s the influence of his coach in the game of life who inspired Destiny Wealth — his fintech startup that soon will move to Kansas City. “My Mom stretched herself so thin and sometimes it was hard to put food on the…
LaunchKC pivoting from annual grants contest to supporting industry verticals, accelerators
LaunchKC is expected to focus on specific business verticals in 2019 — an effort to bring companies to Kansas City that can fill industry gaps, said Jim Malle. A revamped version of the annual grants competition eventually would grow those verticals into individual accelerator programs, said Malle, business development officer at the Economic Development Corporation…
Cowboy couture: WH Ranch lassos dream of making the ‘best blue jeans in the world’
Ryan Martin sold his best cowboy boots to buy high-quality denim for his western couture brand, said the founder of Kansas-based W.H. Ranch Dungarees. “I was always describing [my product as] ‘custom made’ but ‘couture’ really describes it best,” said Martin, detailing the laborious process that limits production to an average of four pairs of…
Keystone Award forecasts potential job growth thanks to soon-to-open iWerx-Gladstone
A still-in-the-works coworking space already is inspiring economic development north of the river, said Bob Martin, partner at iWerx, bolstered this week by a Keystone Award for business impact. “Before even opening our doors in Gladstone, we had commitments for nearly 30 percent of the more than 75 offices,” Martin said ahead of the entrepreneurial…
Experience unlocked: Aussie pop-up racing into KC in early 2019 with Mushroom Rally
Mushroom Rally — a real life Mario Kart race experience with roots in Australia — is expected to swerve into the Kansas City scene in early 2019, said James Harrison. “[Mushroom Rally] will hit 16 cities [next year], with Kansas City being one of them,” said Harrison, a race organizer for the experience pop-up. “We…
