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New Kansas City coworking studio draws Gov. Jay Nixon

While still under construction, Kansas City’s soon-to-be largest coworking studio made its public debut with the visit of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. A Democrat from De Soto, Mo., Nixon on Tuesday toured North Kansas City-based iWerx, a massive 33,000-square-feet coworking studio that plans to be open for business in September. iWerx also will house a…

Digital Sandbox reports substantial impact on Kansas City economy

The results are in for Digital Sandbox KC — and they look good. The business incubator on Wednesday unveiled its most recent statistics on the program’s impact in Kansas City. Launched in early 2013, the program provides up to $25,000 in non-dilutive grants to area, early-stage entrepreneurs for specific projects. Since inception about three years…

Fund me, KC: MatchOn serves up virtual tennis club

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like MatchOn founder Garrett Gates — to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Back MatchOn’s Indiegogo campaign here. Who are you? Garrett Gates, founder and CEO of MatchOn….

Techweek KC aims for significant growth in 2016

With aggressive goals in mind, Techweek Kansas City is ramping up excitement for its second-annual festival of innovation and entrepreneurship in the City of Fountains. The national tech conference and media firm hosted a countdown party Monday in downtown Kansas City in which Techweek CEO Amanda Signorelli said she hopes to top the festival’s inaugural…

Dignity and a dollar: The Grooming Project empowers KC mothers

Natasha Kirsch believes that a living wage does more than provide people with money. That’s why she founded Empowering the Parent to Empower the Child (EPEC), a non-profit that helps young mothers in poverty find higher-paying jobs and become self-reliant in the process. And to achieve that mission, Kirsch is kickstarting an effort that not…

Jeff Blackwood Pathfinder Health

Jeff Blackwood’s 5 tips to capitalize on a viral success

Editor’s note: On June 13, Jeff Blackwood shared an open letter on why his company, Pathfinder Health Innovations, is leaving Kansas due to state policies’ effect on education, healthcare and people with developmental disabilities. Startland News was the first to report on the story, which soon after attracted national media attention. The last month has…

LaunchKC snags hundreds of hungry applicants

The popular grants competition LaunchKC again was met with an enthusiastic response by applicants. The competition — which will distribute $500,000 via 10, $50,000 non-dilutive grants — drew more than 400 tech startup applicants for the second year in a row. A panel of judges are now combing through the applications to find the top…

Grant Gooding: Your wimpy brand needs to pick a fight

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Think about your three biggest competitors. … Got ‘em? Now, what do you say when a potential customer asks you why they should do business with you instead of them? More often than not your response contains subjective and ineffective language. You say…

Top 10 under-the-radar startups in Kansas City

In January, Startland News asked you for help. We wanted to hear from you about Kansas City startups that are operating in “stealth,” either intentionally shying away from attention or those that are simply too busy building. You responded with vigor, and your insights helped inform this list of “under-the-radar” startups. Obviously, “under-the-radar” is a…

Events Preview: Que with Creatives

There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Recess for Success Entrepreneurial Panel Discussion When: August 2 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Where: John Knox Village, Places Restaurant Calling all…