Latest Stories
New Lean Lab approach hopes to better position ed tech startups
With applications now open for the incubator’s fourth cohort, the Lean Lab hopes a pivot in its approach will foster more savvy education startups. Offering office space, mentorship, direct access to area school systems and up to $35,000 in support, the Lean Lab will soon select five promising education tech startups from around the world…
KCPS superintendent Dr. Bedell: The mission to serve KC kids ‘is our boss’
Editor’s note: To fulfill Startland News’ mission of highlighting challenges in Kansas City, we asked Dr. Mark T. Bedell, the Superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools, to share his vision reintegrating local schools. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. I have a mission in Kansas City, Mo. to help lead the…
Lyft and Kansas City may reunite thanks to new ride-sharing law
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens on Monday signed legislation that could bring the ride-sharing company Lyft back to the Kansas City market. Passed with strong support from Missouri lawmakers, Gov. Greitens’ signature sets forth regulations for ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, including licensing fees, background checks and inspections. Lyft halted its Kansas City operations…
For its KC intro, WeWork plans event series to connect
In efforts to pump up the Kansas City community prior to its launch, WeWork announced KC Connected, an event series at its new Corragain Station coworking space. The first event is May 10 and aims to get local entrepreneurs prepared for the coworking giant’s global grant competition, the Creator Awards. “Our goal is to help…
RideKC builds Uber-like app for Kansas Citians with disabilities
For Kansas City residents with disabilities, it’s difficult to rely on bus schedules to get from place to place — even with paratransit options. Starting May 1, Kansas City residents with disabilities will have access to an on-demand option. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority recently developed the ride-hailing app RideKC Freedom On-Demand, which will start…
Mobility Designed raises nearly $900K from iiM, local investors
The seed round for Kansas City-based Mobility Designed is approaching seven figures following the support of a local investment firm. Overland Park-based Innovation in Motion (iiM) recently joined the medical device startup’s round, which is approaching $900,000 and comprised mostly of individual investors. Led by CEO Liliana Younger, Mobility Designed created the M+D Crutch, a…
KC Smart City wins ‘Oscar of Innovation,’ a gold Edison Award
Validating a bold technology plan by a variety of public and private organizations, Kansas City’s Smart City initiative recently won a prestigious Edison Award for innovation. The City of Kansas City, Mo., Sprint, Cisco, Think Big Partners and other organizations won a gold award in the category of connected collaboration from the Edison Awards in…
PayIt lands partnership with the Sunflower State
Financial tech startup PayIt announced Monday that it will work with the Sunflower State as its innovation partner. The Kansas City-based firm will work with Kansas’ Office of Information Technology Services, offering its web and mobile app that streamlines financial interactions between citizens and government agencies. PayIt CEO John Thomson said he’s excited to partner…
Calling startups: KCMO wants to find new innovation partners
The City of Kansas City, Mo. is once again looking for entrepreneurs to help develop new innovations to improve the quality and efficiency of city services. The city is now accepting applications for its Innovation Partnership Program, which is now in its third year of working with entrepreneurs from around the world. The program offers…
Kauffman Foundation allocates up to $7M for inclusive entrepreneurship effort
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has launched a grant program that hopes to fuel business growth among underrepresented entrepreneurs. As part of the Zero Barriers movement, the Kauffman Foundation is accepting RFPs for Inclusion Open, a grant program that aims to enable champions of underrepresented entrepreneurs to expand their services to topple barriers. “We know…
