Latest Stories

Vintage-inspired Relikcs streams ‘anti-technology’ into the digital age with high-end audio furniture

A line of West Bottoms-built, high-end stereo consoles capitalizes on a gold rush for vinyl nostalgia, said Paul Suquet, noting their vintage-inspired business bridges the gap between a digital era and “the beauty of analog sound.” “Music is something that connects us,” added Dan Posch, one of Suquet’s partners at Relikcs Furniture, a local maker…

K-State awarded $500K state grant to boost border-to-border innovation, entrepreneurship

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro.  MANHATTAN, Kansas — A newly launched grant program is expected to help Kansas’ six state universities accelerate innovation activities within the world of higher education. At Kansas State University, a…

These KC nonprofits showed resiliency; their reward: $200K grants from Bank of America

Bank of America this fall continued the 20-year run for its Neighborhood Builder grants program, awarding two Kansas City nonprofits with $200,000 grants and access to exclusive leadership training resources and a national network of nonprofit peers. The 2024 honorees are Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy and Cultivate Kansas City — tapped for their work…

This entrepreneur jams Special Olympics advocacy (and a little chicory) into his Missouri storefront

Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. EDINA, Missouri — Jared Niemeyer started making homemade jam to…

How a crowdfunding site is adding extra cheddar to Buffalo State Pizza’s relocation plans 

Confidence is already in the box for Buffalo State Pizza Co.’s owners as they look to everyday investors to help their business complete and grow into a new space near downtown Overland Park, they said.  The duo — Philippe Lechevin and Steve Robson — launched a campaign this fall on the crowdfunding site Honeycomb Credit…

Photos: ARtechBBQ party gets the beer cheese flowing with a salted pretzel tech twist

Sweater weather returned Friday night alongside Kansas City’s premiere after-hours celebration of tech, and ARtechBBQ organizer Greg Kratofil couldn’t have been happier, he said. “How about this being back in the fall?” Kratofil asked a crowd of well-fed revelers at the party within the party on the grounds of the Kansas Speedway. ARtechBBQ — now…

Family’s mission, deeply woven ties to artisan community in Mexico loom high for Nov. 8 showcase

Two-in-one purpose: 50 blankets become 25 tops for this Crossroads shop, weaving warmth into the fiber of runway event A cloak-like coat that Jonathan Garvey’s brother designed for him as a Christmas present has inspired a new collection and a fashion show, the Pancho’s Blanket co-founder shared. The Repurpose Collection is set to debut 7…

How one veteran’s early struggles with soft skills inspired tech to boost a new generation

Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. ST. LOUIS — Gavin Pringle knows firsthand the struggles…

Accessibility platform AskSAMIE expands to 500+ partners thanks to national homecare deals

A pair of significant new partnerships not only allow Kansas City-based AskSAMIE to expand its national reach, said Dr. Brandy Archie; the deals put her startup a pivotal moment in its mission to deliver on-demand support to seniors and their caregivers. Working with homecare organizations ComForCare/At Your Side and CarePatrol will push AskSAMIE — a…

Stripping Missouri’s supplier diversity goals stifles state’s prosperity potential, says women’s business advocate

Ending nearly a decade of benchmarks that helped ensure greater equity in state contracts for businesses owned by minorities and women is a move in the wrong direction for Missouri, said Jennifer Brungardt, emphasizing the coming impact of lost opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. “Diversity and economic growth will be stifled without proper support from our…