Techstars
Two years after top KC startup’s sale, Zego (and its new owner) acquired for nearly $1B
The company that acquired Kansas City-based Zego in 2019 — and liked the real estate tech startup’s brand so much it changed its own identity to match — has itself now been purchased by a global “powerhouse” in an all-cash transaction valued at $925 million. Zego — formerly PayLease — announced the acquisition by Global…
Expanded Techstars role means more eyes on KC, Lesa Mitchell says; accelerator returns in June
Lesa Mitchell’s promotion within Techstars — a Boulder, Colorado-based accelerator network with global reach — is a value-add for Kansas City, she said Monday. The outgoing managing director of Techstars’ local program also teased the popular accelerator’s summer return. “My new role simply means we have more Techstars staff in KC,” said Mitchell, Techstars’ newly announced…
No promo codes needed: How two Brits and their KC startup are adding instant discounts to your shopping cart
When restaurants and retailers shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many of their customer loyalty programs did too, leaving frequent shoppers empty handed, explained Jordan Williams. “I had a $200 Southwest Airlines voucher and 6000-plus Chipotle restaurant points expire,” Williams said, detailing a pandemic-presented problem that finds its solution in his newly-launched startup: Veeper. The platform…
Boutique startup specializing in breast prosthesis for cancer survivors catches attention of KC healthcare investor
As the new year rang in 2020, Jasmine Jones envisioned pop-up shops for Cherry Blossom Intimates — an accredited medical facility housed within a lingerie boutique that provides breast cancer survivors with customizable prosthesis. Eleven months into the unpredictable year, however, Jones innovated the startup into a virtual brand. “I had to ask myself, ‘What would…
Google’s $100K cash prize keeps Healthy Hip Hop dancing toward ‘Tik Tok for kids’ status
With a new cash infusion from the Google Black Founders Fund, Roy Scott said Healthy Hip Hop is ready to perfect the next generation of its youth entertainment and education tech, strengthen the company’s sales and marketing efforts and hire a C-suite level employee. “We found our niche in the tech space, and it’s how…
