Latest Stories

Gabe Muñoz, ESHIP Communities, Forward Cities

ESHIP Communities: Gabe Muñoz helping entrepreneurs navigate cultural barriers amid COVID-19

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. Gabe Muñoz is…

Tyler Enders, Made in KC

What’s a local dollar really worth? Made in KC launches study to find hard value behind ‘shop local’ mantra

“Shop local” used to be a throwaway term for the owners of Made in KC. “We didn’t really know the true value of shopping locally. Spoiler alert: We still don’t know,” said Tyler Enders, co-founder of the local retailer and meca for makers looking to establish a distribution footprint.  Now, Made in KC is cracking…

Soren and Kilee Nickels, Nickel & Suede

Nickel & Suede: With two stores closed, even Inc.’s ‘most successful’ companies must flex courage amid pandemic

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. Being named one of Inc. Magazine’s 250 most successful companies in…

AltCap: COVID-19 relief effort sees $30M+ in funding asks in first 72 hours of launch

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. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland…

Teens already sick of Tik Tok videos? CommunityAmerica launching 100 virtual innovation internships

Editor’s note: The following story is sponsored by CommunityAmerica Credit Union, a partner of STARTLAND, the parent organization of Startland News. Click here to apply for CommunityAmerica’s virtual innovation internships. Applications close Sunday, April 5. The arrival of COVID-19 isn’t simply keeping young adults home from school, said Anita Newton. It’s denying them opportunities and…

Jason Grill on election innovation: No one wants to waste time, votes, or health security at polling places right now

Though Kansas Democrats’ transition to mail-in ballots for the coming primary is itself increasingly important because of COVID-19 and social distancing concerns, the initiative — when paired with Ranked Choice Voting — will eliminate “wasted votes” and empower voters, said Jason Grill.  “It’s just a better way. It’s innovative. It’s something that more people are…

Zen Donkey Farms, photo courtesy of Anna Petrow

‘Bray of Sunshine’ during dark times: Zen Donkey Farms juices light from lemons

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. A few weeks ago, home delivery was just a quirky,…

Blade & Timber team

‘Waiting on the world to reopen’: Blade & Timber now distributing J. Rieger’s must-have hand sanitizer 

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. Two lines of cars, at times numbering in the dozens,…

Thou Mayest pivots away from panic: ‘Good goes so much farther than just bitching’

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. Today isn’t payday for Bo Nelson. But he’s still roasting…

Wendy Guillies, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman Foundation commits $2.8M to COVID-19 community response efforts in KC

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. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland…