Latest Stories

John Styers, Transportant

Wichita VC backs two KC startups: ‘Great companies can be built in crazy economic times’

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Despite a global pandemic, Wichita-based Accelerate Venture Partners closed nearly as many…

OYO Nova Gym

This KC-created handheld home gym just became the highest-funded fitness product ever on Kickstarter

The OYO Nova Gym passed a massive crowdfunding milestone Saturday morning — raising $1.6 million in pre-sales for the Kansas City company and becoming the most-funded fitness product in Kickstarter history. And OYO’s campaign still has a month to go. “The OYO team has worked hard to develop fitness devices that fit in anyone’s lifestyle,”…

Jan Knobel, Upper Crust Pie Bakery

Upper Crust bakery’s recipe for reopening: Embrace a sweet new piece of the retail pie

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Behind a rustic “closed” sign, empty display cases and a lonely pie…

Made in KC, KCPPE.com

KCMO mayor, Made in KC launch portal for face masks, hand sanitizer made by more than 50 local makers

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Kansas City’s gradual return to business doesn’t mean the need for face…

Gabe Muñoz; photo by Ray Carrington for Forward Cities

ESHIP Communities: 10 ways Kansas City can support its businesses and entrepreneurs

Editor’s note: This story is sponsored and was produced by Forward Cities, a non-financial partner of Startland News and a national nonprofit that is managing the implementation of the ESHIP Communities program as a grantee of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Any opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author. ESHIP Communities Kansas City is dedicated…

Kaitlin Abdelrahman, On Call Halal

On Call Halal connects Muslim healthcare workers with Ramadan meals amid COVID-19 complications

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Kansas City connections rallied around Kaitlin Abdelrahman to develop her startup offering…

Real Report, E-Scholars

Watch UMKC’s E-Scholars Demo Day: Scrappy founders challenged by pandemic

Entrepreneurs are needed now more than ever, said Alex Krause Matlack. “Had this year gone as normal, the E-Scholars would have held a live demo day this week for the community to showcase the hard work they put into their companies, and to give the founders access to a broader network of community members to…

Flashcube

Inside Flashcube: Plexpod reveals new downtown luxury coworking, coliving concept 

Plexpod is planning another coworking hub along the KC Streetcar line — this time in a downtown luxury apartment building that will be one of Kansas City’s first coliving communities. Featuring two floors of new office and coworking space, Plexpod Flashcube is already under construction within Flashcube, 720 Main St. — a nearly all-glass-facade apartment building…

Max Kaniger, Kanbe's Markets

UMKC contest awards $35K+ to winners, feeds student-community innovation

One startup’s winnings from Friday’s Regnier Venture Creation Challenge are expected to have a near-immediate, tangible impact on Kansas City — helping Kanbe’s Markets provide produce in one of its corner markets for an entire year. “This means that about 4,500 people will have consistent access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food on Kansas City’s…

Maria Flynn, Orbis Biosciences

Orbis exits: East Coast pharmaceutical firm acquires Lenexa biotech company

Injecting a Kansas startup into its global efforts will help New Jersey-based Adare Pharmaceuticals boost its core business and strengthen in-roads into animal health and over-the-counter (OTC) markets, the companies said Monday. Orbis Biosciences’ acquisition was finalized Thursday for an undisclosed amount. The startup — which focuses on licensing its technology to companies to optimize their…