Latest Stories

He’s bringing a micro bathhouse concept to the Crossroads; Kyle Steppe’s vision: a phone-free communal experience

A new bathhouse concept from Kyle Steppe is expected to dial up the heat in downtown Kansas City — bringing a more social, immersive take on sauna culture to the city’s wellness scene. 180° Bathhouse, a micro bathhouse experience, is set to open in August inside the Holtman Building, currently under renovation by Molzer Development…

Esports collaboration with Ottawa University connects student talent to pro teams

A new partnership between the Kansas City Pioneers and Ottawa University is aiming to strengthen the Midwest’s esports ecosystem — and create a clearer path from college competition to the professional stage.

KC GIFT pitch competition winner smiling on stage, celebrating innovation and teamwork.

Winning chemistry: KC GIFT pitch competition rewards joy on stage, work behind the scenes

Earning a $30,000 grand prize over the weekend closed out a six-week process for LaToya Ebony Sirls and other founders who were pushed to refine not just how they present, but how they build.

Woman smiling at a conference, representing Kauffman-funded entrepreneurial projects.

Kauffman funds 46 more project, research grants; many boosting early entrepreneurship 

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation recently announced its latest tranche grantees, investing in community-centered solutions that dovetail with its strategic focus on college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship.

Woman speaking at startup pitch event in Kansas City, promoting local innovation.

InvestMidwest taps 9 Kansas City startups to pitch as conference returns to KC in April

Returning to InvestMidwest this spring feels like a meaningful way to showcase Romy Carlson’s company, the Enrichly founder said, pointing to the startup summit’s power to platform regional innovation and the entrepreneurs at the forefront.

Wolf21 touts role of women leaders in shaping the KC firm’s next phase of growth

The Kansas City construction firm behind a string of high-profile entertainment and office projects is designing a team where women aren’t confined to symbolic roles within a male-dominated industry, said Kelly Pfannenstiel, emphasizing the need for experienced women in architecture, engineering, and construction to shape strategy and operational foundation. 

Birdies co-owners Alexis Burggrabe and Peregrine Honig, with Honig's puppy, Banana Bread

Birdies moving to expanded Crossroads shop with support from KCMO’s Open Doors!

“It’s been just epically everything that we have been manifesting for five years,” Birdies co-owner Peregrine Honig said of the opportunity at 101 W. 18th St., the former Bizz and Wheezy’s Confections. “The light, the location, the size.”

Chinecherem Ihenacho, founder of Naeche's Nourishment; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

‘Fitting in is boring’: How this young founder gained the glow of entrepreneurship with her family’s meat pies

Naeches Nourishment is serving up savory meat pies with a side of its student founder’s Nigerian roots, Chinecherem Ihenacho shared, noting she started the business to make her culture more approachable to people who otherwise might not see the richness of its flavor.

Kamia Kindle, Soda Hunt; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Destination discount: Mobile business hunt hides prizes across KC (and you can find them without a new app)

A new venture from Soda Pop Graphics founder Kamia Kindle is turning everyday errands into something more interactive, inviting Kansas Citians to play their way through local neighborhoods while helping small businesses see who is actually walking through the door.

Screenland Armour in North Kansas City; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Disney’s deal with OpenAI is dead, but the villain of the story is still lurking, KC theater owner says

Don’t roll credits just yet, said Adam Roberts. The collapse of a deal that would’ve licensed some of Disney’s most popular characters to an AI generator doesn’t mean the end for the fan-inspired, on-demand custom video content that studio executives envisioned (and many cinephiles like Roberts revile). News broke Tuesday that OpenAI was shuttering its…