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
Report: Tech drives nearly a 10th of Kansas City’s economy (and those employers are hiring)
Advocates tout KC for top-tier tech talent; a new report affirms its status as an emerging market with potential for big impact A combination of economic stability, depth and skill of talent, and operational efficiency creates conditions for companies to grow and succeed in Kansas City, said Kara Lowe, detailing new data that suggests the…
InvestMidwest back in KC ahead of World Cup rush; four new leaders join board roster
A powerhouse quartet of venture experts are on board for the next wave of InvestMidwest impact, said Claire Kinlaw, announcing plans for the two-day summit’s bounce back to Kansas City this spring as organizers push to boost deal flow in a region outside the startup-dense coasts. New to InvestMidwest’s board as planning gets under way…
Fan favorite vote: AltCap Your Biz launches crowd-sourced contest as pitch event nears
One of 10 finalists in a popular fall pitch event for small businesses is expected to win $5,000 based solely on community votes, leaders at AltCap announced Friday, launching this year’s voting portal ahead of mid-November competition at Union Station. “The Fan Favorite Contest invites the community to discover amazing local businesses, to learn about…
Just funded: Trio of startups join Digital Sandbox KC, emerging onto competitive innovation scene
Not only will proof-of-concept funding from one of Kansas City’s most pivotal startup supporters help CEO Gharib Gharibi rapidly iterate development of his company, the Archia founder said; Digital Sandbox KC connects him to a thriving local tech ecosystem at a crucial inflection point for his artificial intelligence-based solutions. “We are excited to leverage both…
Photos: Founders plug into vibrant Startup Crawl energy as Startland celebrates decade of storytelling
Startland News’ one-night, rolling innovation showcase Friday served as a launch for select founders — capitalizing on a crowd of 500-plus Startup Crawl participants to bring their emerging companies into the Kansas City spotlight, one conversation at a time. “I love that we got to share Portrayals XR with Kansas City first,” said Tricia Keightley,…
Meet the competition: AltCap Your Biz unveils finalists for pitch event, $60K in awards
A popular fall pitch competition for emerging entrepreneurs is returning to Union Station in November with AltCap today announcing 10 finalists for $60,000 in cash prizes — ranging from Kansas City’s first mobile matcha cart to specialty wellness retailers and a dog toy innovator. “The AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition is so much more than…
This voter-approved investor backed Zhou B Arts, KD Academy and a new hotel at 18th and Vine; now it has a new home
EDCKC absorbing initiative built to strengthen KC’s urban core after $60M in investments A move to transition the Central City Economic Development (CCED) program under the umbrella of a larger KCMO impact agency is expected to boost the urban core-focused initiative’s ability to uplift both the people and the places at the heart of Kansas…
Trially secures $4.7M seed round, launches ‘Margo’ AI solution to clear patient bottleneck
A Kansas City startup’s AI-first platform is expected to save time — and patient lives — thanks to a successful seed round for its clinical trial recruitment tech, explained Kyle McAllister, noting his startup’s solution could help speed up access to treatment by years. Trially, one of Startland News’ 10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in…
Brewery, taproom taking root in former JoCo Macy’s amid neighborhood transformation
An Iowa-based brewer — lauded for igniting economic growth and vibrancy in the communities where it plants its taprooms — announced plans Monday to expand its Big Grove brand into Prairie Village, projecting a fall 2026 opening within a long-dormant retail space in Johnson County. Dirt already is moving outside the former Macy’s department store…
KC startups graduate K-State accelerator, earning equity-free cash, greater conviction
A trio of Kansas City-built ventures — from sports apparel and mental health solutions for young athletes to tech that uses autonomous drones and 3D vision AI — were among the Kansas businesses earning funding through an eight-week accelerator at Kansas State University. The Center for Entrepreneurship Accelerator program at K-State — which provides participants…