Latest Stories

Clarence Tan and Edna Martinson, Boddle Learning

AT&T deal brings head-to-head ‘Pet Battles’ to Boddle in a first for the KC-made edtech app

A new collaboration between Boddle Learning and AT&T hopes to keep students plugged into learning long after they’ve unplugged from the classroom.  “With summer break quickly approaching, it’s important to help kids maintain knowledge outside of the classroom,” AT&T said in a release announcing its teamed up with Tulsa-based, Kansas City-born Boddle to introduce new…

Gov. Mike Parson, R-Missouri, speaks at Union Station during the announcement of Meta's new $800 million data center in Kansas City

Budget bump to $31M would help MTC attack its 16-point plan for Missouri entrepreneurs; funding fate rests with governor

A key funder of initiatives like Digital Sandbox KC and LaunchKC could see its own fortunes rise if Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs a budget that includes $31 million to boost technology, entrepreneurship and innovation efforts in the state. The Missouri legislature last week passed a budget that would dramatically up the Missouri Technology Corporation’s…

Danielle DuPree, Ennovation Center

Ennovation Center taps hometown entrepreneur to lead Independence-based resource hub

Support is in place for entrepreneurs looking for customized services, the Ennovation Center said Friday, announcing a new executive director already at work at the Independence-based community resource. “I love helping entrepreneurs grow their business,” said Danielle DuPree, who began her role leading the Ennovation Center in April. “My passion lies in working with small…

Quest Moffat, Kadogo

Meet the finalists: KC tech startups competing to boost health, vibrancy of diverse communities

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. WICHITA…

Armondo Alvarez and Justine Dale Gelbolinga

Will climate change rob me of being a parent? Anxious Millennials, Gen Z question adding more children to Earth

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series on climate change in the Kansas City region produced by the KC Media Collective to support and enhance local journalism so every person in Kansas City can lead a richer life. Members of the KC Media Collective are KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, Missouri Business…

Military Gaming League; photo courtesy of Generation Esports

KC esports startup acquires Military Gaming League, pledging support to players facing PTSD, mental health struggles 

Generation Esports has deployed a summer of scale, announcing Monday its acquisition of the Military Gaming League (MGL) — stationing the Kansas City-based startup’s mission to unite gamers in new, high-demand territory.  “We knew there was something special about it that we just had to be a part of,” said Mason Mullenioux, co-founder and CEO of…

Willy Schlacks, Scale, EquipmentShare

‘We have to allow for failure,’ says serial entrepreneur; Scale announces 7 startups in second cohort

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,…

Comeback KC Ventures fellows

Comeback KC Ventures adds 9 more fellows to accelerate rapid-response health innovations

A global pandemic exposed both new challenges and the potential for disruptive solutions — putting Kansas City entrepreneurs at the forefront of rapid-fire change in the wake of an ongoing health crisis, said organizers of Comeback KC Ventures. Nine additional Kansas City tech startups are joining the fellowship program, its leaders said Wednesday, expanding upon…

Jill Bertelsen, Crib Coaching, pitches in May at the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge; photo courtesy of the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Henry W. Bloch School of Management and the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Leanlab launches edtech certification with focus on accountability to classrooms

A new product certification from Leanlab Education means increased transparency for edtech companies — as well as added credibility for their work within schools.  “We want to give teachers and school administrators a quick way to understand if an edtech product reflects the insights of educators, students, and parents — the true end users in education — and…

David Dastmalchian, "Count Crowley"

Actor David Dastmalchian fought his own demons; now the KC native is sending ’80s-inspired monsters to you

Growing up in Kansas City, David Dastmalchian was enamored with his hometown’s most shadowy corners: its fabled haunted houses, the shelves of Clint’s Comics, “Crematia Mortem’s Friday” on local TV, and even his Overland Park neighborhood’s mystical-seeming creeks and forests.  Each of these childhood haunts planted a seed for the Hollywood actor’s latest project —…