Startland News Staff
Sometimes we share credit. The “Staff Writer” byline appears on stories reported, written, or edited collaboratively by members of the Startland News team — especially for quick hits and breaking news.
Recent Stories by Startland News Staff
Meet 8 startups that just locked in move-faster funding from Digital Sandbox KC
An effort to “super-charge” innovative, emerging tech in Kansas City is helping more than a half-dozen companies with exceptional growth potential get their solutions to customers faster, said Jill Meyer, announcing the latest cohort of Digital Sandbox KC-funded startups. “These next great innovations are solving real-world problems and identifying gaps that their technologies can fill,”…
WeCode KC touts new grant funding aimed at boosting regional workforce readiness
A just-announced $50,000 grant is expected to help a homegrown workforce development program better prepare 18- to 26-year-old Kansas Citians for careers in high-demand technology fields, said Tammy Buckner, noting a ripple effect expected for the region. Kansas City-built WeCode KC has been selected as a 2025 grant recipient by the Greater Kansas City Community…
UMKC mascot gets nod of approval from bobblehead museum, hopping onto market
Roove over, KC Wolf. Another fan-favorite Kansas City mascot is getting its spot on the shelf as the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum this week unveiled an officially licensed, 8-inch bauble featuring the nearly-century-old icon. KC Roo — the school mascot for the University of Kansas City-Missouri, sometimes referred to as “Kasey the…
Filling rural eco devo gap: $2.15M grant promotes new growth for small food and farm businesses after federal cuts
Fresh-cut funding from the rural-focused Patterson Family Foundation is expected to boost food work in Kansas and western Missouri — strengthening businesses rooted in small communities with innovative resources and programs. New Growth, a nonprofit rural community development corporation based in Appleton City, Missouri, announced a $2.15 million Patterson grant backing the organization’s mission to foster…
MTC advances deputy into interim exec role ahead of critical funding push for Missouri entrepreneurs
A leading advocate for Missouri entrepreneurs plans to approach the next legislative cycle — championing renewed funding for Show-Me State innovation — with a freshly-promoted leader, the group announced Friday. Julia Campbell has been elevated to interim executive director at the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), as the public-private partnership continues a leadership transition prompted by…
Kansas City scores pro softball team for 2026: Here’s what we know about KC Diamonds
As uncertainty swirls over the future of core Kansas City sports franchises, a new professional softball team is headed to the region — and it’s already announced plans to hit the field on the Kansas side of the state line. The KC Diamonds announced on Tuesday plans to launch its inaugural 39-game softball season in…
BioNexus KC catalyzes 25 years of work at the crossroads of collaboration, health innovation
A quarter-century commitment to regional investment and collaboration is paying off, said Dennis Ridenour, reflecting on a timeline of impact for BioNexus KC — accelerating innovation and strengthening health outcomes in Kansas City and beyond. “This milestone is not about a single achievement; it’s about decades of collective, focused effort that have allowed our ecosystem…
KC Current sets new name, spring openings for waterfront restaurants, town square
Kansas City’s new $1 billion waterfront district is expected to open core elements of the mixed use development near the KC Current’s stadium — including hotly anticipated restaurants and the first phase of residences — before the World Cup arrives in June 2026, officials announced Friday. Developers of the district also revealed its new name:…
NXTUS launches pilot competition for startups in Northwest Arkansas, fueled by $500K Walton grant
WICHITA — A Kansas-built innovation program is hitting the road — applying its successful model to Northwest Arkansas in a bid to expand growth opportunities for more early-stage companies and make the region a proving ground for technology that boosts health and economic vitality. Wichita-based NXTUS this week announced HealthCatalyst NWA, a pilot initiative that aims…
Missouri releases $33M+ in federal funds to MTC to support startups, small businesses
A second tranche of federal funding allotted through the Biden-era American Rescue Plan Act is expected to help economic development leaders target stronger small business growth, expand access to capital, and support high-growth entrepreneurship across Missouri. More than $33 million is being deployed to the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) via the State Small Business Credit…