Latest Stories
Former Walmart exec, VC founder who was second attorney for Google joining Kauffman trustees
Editor’s note: Startland News, in its capacity as a nonprofit digital magazine, is financially supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Two high-powered women are expected to bring diverse business, investment and education backgrounds to the table of one of Kansas City’s leading entrepreneurship engines. Susan Chambers, a five-time “50 Most Powerful Women in Business”…
With 400 teams and counting, coaches and founders agree: Just Play Solutions is a ‘no-brainer’
One of Kansas City’s fastest-growing sports-fitness startups, Just Play Solutions, posted a 225-percent revenue increase headed into 2018, its co-founder said. “That type of growth just doesn’t happen all the time,” said Austin Barone. Just Play’s mobile and web app platform specializes in workflow management for football, basketball and — most recently — lacrosse coaches….
Video: Rightfully Sewn threads ‘United Nations of Sewing’ concept into fabric of Crossroads
A new studio space in the heart of Kansas City’s creative community will thread the needle for expanding capacity for Rightfully Sewn to help diverse, at-risk women, as well as support its nonprofit mission, said Jennifer Lapka. The program, which trains women to be seamstresses for local designers through a two-year experience, is set to…
Clockwork founder Christian Arnold: When to explore new workspace for your startup
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. If your startup is ready to graduate from your home office and the local coffee shop, you have a lot of considerations for that perfect workspace. Yes, real estate is typically the second highest business cost, but the right space has the power…
Self-expression, happiness drive expansion of Selfie Boutique playground
What started as a side project four months ago has grown into a huge, interactive exhibit dedicated to cultivating joy, said Alex Altomare, founder of the Selfie Boutique. “The mission is to bring people together and create happiness,” Altomare said. “The growth has been entirely driven by our supporters on all fronts, and we have…
Brewers ferment market opportunity, health benefits with kombucha startups
Fermented foods represent more than just trendy, niche products, Kansas City’s kombucha startups say. They’re where gut health and market opportunity meet. “If it’s not local, it’s not fresh,” said Lisa Bledsoe, emphasizing the quality advantage Kansas City brewers have over national brands competing for cooler space at metro grocery stores. Bledsoe’s Tea-Biotics Kombucha has…
Applicants pour in for a chance at $500K in LaunchKC grants
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by LaunchKC but was independently produced by Startland News. After dishing out $1.5 million to 29 startups over the last three years, LaunchKC returns in 2018 with more experience and an enduring determination to drive entrepreneurial impact in Kansas City. The area’s most-popular grants contest already has garnered hundreds…
Peek inside: Wild Way coffee rolling Austin flavor onto Kansas City’s bean scene
Christine Clutton is taking the rollout of her Wild Way coffee camper concept one cup at a time, she said. Debuting Friday in Midtown, the mobile shop — serving coffee, tea and pastries with a mix of Austin and local flavors — is envisioned as a temporary stop on Clutton’s entrepreneurial journey, she said. “Our…
Nonprofit Village in Midtown aims to cut costs, attack basic needs for mission-based groups
An area investment firm has opened a new collaborative working space to help support Kansas City’s vast network of nonprofits. Led by Jon McGraw and Mehgan Flynn, 31w31 investment group launched the Nonprofit Village, a 6,300-square-foot space at the recently-renovated historic building at 31 W. 31st St. The village hopes to soothe the pervasive challenge…
Merchtable powers a chorus of online stores for emerging bands, artists
Lawrence-based Merchtable plays the tune of an accidental tech company, said co-founder Burton Parker, but it’s proven to be a song of success. Operating 200 online merch stores for such varied artists as singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, comedian Maria Bamford, avant-garde metal band Neurosis, and a host of podcast, DJ, dance and EDM clients, the business…
