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
Flyover Capital adds managing partner with fresh perspective on KC, tech investment expertise
A month after announcing its more than $60 million Tech Fund II, Flyover Capital is adding to its leadership team — appointing Tristan Mace, a serial tech entrepreneur and investor, as a managing partner at the Overland Park-based venture capital firm. “I’m excited to join Flyover Capital as we build on our success of contributing…
TripleBlind posts $24M round as interest in its data privacy tech expands, founder talks $100M+ valuation
An oversubscribed $24 million Series A funding round announced Monday is expected to push Kansas City-coded TripleBlind into new verticals as it rapidly scales and finds itself a leader in data efficiency. The startup — which previously secured $8.2 million in seed funding in April — found return support in Mayo Clinic, which co-led the…
Fund Me, KC: UMKC alums aim to transform recycled plastics into functional home décor
Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses or lend a helping hand to others. This is an opportunity for business owners and innovators — like Nicole Dover and Tony Jordan, and their newly launched venture, Recyclverse — to share their crowdfunding stories and potentially…
Meet six newly funded companies helping get KC’s economy ‘back on track’ with Digital Sandbox
Digital Sandbox funding is a game-changer for CuePlay — one of six companies selected for the proof of concept program’s latest cohort — said founder Rebecca Simons, who first launched the idea two years ago at Techstars’ Startup Weekend in Kansas City. “It allows us to finish the development of a beta app and get it…
These eight KC tech startups are circling Pure Pitch Rally with up to $1M on the line
Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a sponsor of Startland News. As a new cohort of pitchers prepare to toss their nets toward local land sharks at this month’s Pure Pitch Rally, the addition of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a key financial backer elevates the annual competition for spot-cash funding and…
KC’s PlaBook, Erkios selected for coveted $50K Arch Grants, boosting St. Louis startup scene
Two Kansas City companies are expected to be part of Arch Grants’ largest-ever selection of startups, earning spots in the highly competitive St. Louis grant program’s 35-member, nearly $2 million 2021 cohort. PlaBook, an edtech reading platform, and Erkios Systems, a cybersecurity hardware startup, were announced Oct. 1 as winning candidates for the program, which…
Ronawk using stem cell tech developed at Olathe lab to advance liver cancer research in Turkey
A Kansas City-based biomanufacturing startup announced its first international customer Tuesday: a university team in Istanbul that was among the first to beta test Ronawk’s lauded T-Blocks. The maker of 3D cell culture products said the collaboration with Professor Ranan Aktas and the Cancer and Stem Cell Research Center at Maltepe University in Turkey will…
TechAccel expands in St. Louis with new facilities in ‘premier ag innovation ecosystem’
A Kansas City-based tech and equity company investing in scientific breakthroughs to produce healthier plants, animals and foods is tapping into abundant lab space at the other end of I-70, announcing Monday new offices in St. Louis. “It’s only fitting that we locate our team in the heart of the nation’s largest concentration of plant…
Startup led by serial entrepreneur expands into women’s health ahead of $1.5M seed round
Portable diagnostic imaging for women’s health will help bridge a care gap in Kansas and Missouri, said Jeff Blackwood, as his startup expands the scope of on-site ultrasound capabilities available to patients in Kansas City and beyond. “New Frontier Mobile Diagnostics is directly addressing health equity and access to care with our services, and we’re…
KC company packages guilt-free plastic alternative with new fashion line by Grammy-winning Ciara
A Kansas City company’s groundbreaking biodegradable packaging will help send shipping waste from a fashion icon’s new clothing line back to the earth, officials from Biolo announced Thursday. LITA by Ciara — The House of LR&C’s new consciously created, ready to wear collection, inspired by Grammy award-winning singer Ciara — will include sustainable packaging for…