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
Community Builders to Watch: Cornell Ellis aims for nothing short of a Black male educator revolution
Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing six Kansas City changemakers from five local organizations in its inaugural Community Builders to Watch list. The following highlights one of the 2021 honorees, selected from more than 100 initial nominees by a panel of judges. Click here to view the full list of Community Builders to Watch —…
Community Builders to Watch: Max Kaniger brings more than apples to KC’s food deserts
Editor’s note: Startland News is showcasing six Kansas City changemakers from five local organizations in its inaugural Community Builders to Watch list. The following highlights one of the 2021 honorees, selected from more than 100 initial nominees by a panel of judges. Click here to view the full list of Community Builders to Watch —…
More downtown eats: Chef-driven food hall joining Made in KC on Lightwell’s ground floor
Nearly two years after details of a chef collective at Lightwell were first teased, developers today announced the popular urban Johnson County food experience Strang Hall will indeed open a second location in downtown Kansas City. “Like the original Strang Hall in downtown Overland Park, the concept will be a casual, modern space designed for…
How a new stadium planned for Kansas City’s riverfront could redefine ‘long-neglected’ neighborhood
A $70 million project along Kansas City’s riverfront is expected to be the first stadium purpose-built for a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, Kansas City NWSL owners announced Tuesday, unveiling early plans for the 11,000-seat complex just north of downtown. “The goals for reclaiming our long-neglected riverfront have been bold but clear – develop…
Leawood-based online restaurant platform Menufy acquired by hungry Houston cloud company
A rapidly scaling Leawood tech company that helped dozens of Kansas City restaurants, as well as eateries across 3,000 other cities, survive the pandemic has sold to a Houston-based cloud software provider for the restaurant industry. Menufy’s vast online food ordering platform and network is expected to be incorporated into the HungerRush 360 cloud POS…
Exit to watch: Top startup LaborChart sells in a deal under construction for generations
LaborChart, one of Kansas City’s leading startups, has sold to a California-based giant in construction management — a deal that proves hard work and determination pay off, its founder said. The startup was sold to Procore Technologies, the companies announced Friday, noting in a release the deal is expected to further innovate the world of construction…
Porter House KC receives $175K from JPMorgan Chase Foundation to support inclusive entrepreneurship
An investment by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation will help The Porter House KC fill a void in entrepreneur support programming in Kansas City, said Dan Smith. “Our goal is always to find a solution to the problem. We felt there was a gap. There was a whole population of people being missed. People who come…
Boddle raises $1.35M with KCRise Fund on board, reaches 450,000+ students, expands team
Editor’s note: KCRise Fund is a financial supporter of Startland News. This report was produced independently of that relationship. TULSA — As schools across the country navigate in-person and remote learning models, Boddle Learning, a math gaming platform that was founded in Kansas City continues to grow, raising another round of more than $1 million…
KC social entrepreneur Wesley Hamilton surprised with $1M on Good Morning America
Wesley Hamilton experienced a roller coaster of emotions Wednesday morning, with a grand finale surprise of a $1 million donation from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation. “Thank you, everyone, for believing and watching the journey. It’s always been about the people we’ve been serving. I’m just grateful,” Hamilton said through joyful tears on Good Morning…
Meet 10 finalists for AltCap Your Biz pitch payout; competition returns during GEW KC
A diverse group of nearly a dozen small businesses are advancing to the next round of the annual AltCap Your Biz: Pitch Competition with finalists ranging from a mobile vegan soul food service to a Northland selfie experience. The “Closing the Deal” live pitch event showcases the 10 best concepts from a pool of 43…