Latest Stories
Best-in-show FitBark pet tech now groomed for 2019 launch on FitBit
Kansas City-bred FitBark is set to unleash a new partnership with industry-leading fitness wearable FitBit in early 2019, the company announced Monday. “For many of us, happiness is about helping others achieve their goals,” said Davide Rossi, CEO and co-founder of FitBark. “We may not have the motivation to get in the gym every day,…
Woof’s dog spa wagging into new markets with startup mindset, owner says
It’s a classic startup tail: Disillusionment with corporate life sends a would-be founder fetching for fresh ideas and more innovative inspiration. Woof’s Play & Stay provided Andy Wiltz the opportunity to scratch that itch, the dog spa owner said. Purchasing the plateauing brand in 2015, Wiltz turned his original Merriam location into a model for…
Destiny Wealth moving HQ to KC; former football player owes debt of inspiration to mother
Grit and the gridiron might have helped shape Parker Graham’s business acumen, but it’s the influence of his coach in the game of life who inspired Destiny Wealth — his fintech startup that soon will move to Kansas City. “My Mom stretched herself so thin and sometimes it was hard to put food on the…
LaunchKC pivoting from annual grants contest to supporting industry verticals, accelerators
LaunchKC is expected to focus on specific business verticals in 2019 — an effort to bring companies to Kansas City that can fill industry gaps, said Jim Malle. A revamped version of the annual grants competition eventually would grow those verticals into individual accelerator programs, said Malle, business development officer at the Economic Development Corporation…
Cowboy couture: WH Ranch lassos dream of making the ‘best blue jeans in the world’
Ryan Martin sold his best cowboy boots to buy high-quality denim for his western couture brand, said the founder of Kansas-based W.H. Ranch Dungarees. “I was always describing [my product as] ‘custom made’ but ‘couture’ really describes it best,” said Martin, detailing the laborious process that limits production to an average of four pairs of…
Keystone Award forecasts potential job growth thanks to soon-to-open iWerx-Gladstone
A still-in-the-works coworking space already is inspiring economic development north of the river, said Bob Martin, partner at iWerx, bolstered this week by a Keystone Award for business impact. “Before even opening our doors in Gladstone, we had commitments for nearly 30 percent of the more than 75 offices,” Martin said ahead of the entrepreneurial…
Experience unlocked: Aussie pop-up racing into KC in early 2019 with Mushroom Rally
Mushroom Rally — a real life Mario Kart race experience with roots in Australia — is expected to swerve into the Kansas City scene in early 2019, said James Harrison. “[Mushroom Rally] will hit 16 cities [next year], with Kansas City being one of them,” said Harrison, a race organizer for the experience pop-up. “We…
Nickel & Suede couple create their hook with style, influence and fast-selling leather earrings
Feeling is believing, said Kilee Nickels, the fashion inspiration behind Nickel & Suede. “You may not remember you’re wearing our earrings until someone compliments you,” she said of the light-weight, leather statement accessories that earned the business she co-founded a top spot on Inc. 5000’s 2018 fastest-growing companies list. Based in Liberty, the company boasted…
Culture Lab to Fountain City Fintech startups: Before you hire, define your culture
Bringing Culture Lab programming to the Fountain City Fintech accelerator’s inaugural cohort is part of a deeper effort to call attention to workplace culture in Kansas City, said Frank Keck. “We’ve been able to help each of these six cohort companies really define who they are, why are they doing what they’re doing, and help…
Investors deal BacklotCars $8M; KC-based startup hitting the gas on disruption
Disrupting the used car space has driven a Series A funding round to $8 million for Kansas City-based startup BacklotCars, the company announced Tuesday. “This investment comes at a great time. We are growing rapidly in our existing markets and expanding our national footprint. We expect to continue to add new features – to accompany…
