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

Thalia Cherry, Cherry

KC ‘community crusader’ Thalia Cherry joins Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on EBONY Power 100 list

Editor’s note: Thalia Cherry is a board member of STARTLAND, the ecosystem building organization that operates Startland News. This story was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. A Kansas City entrepreneur widely known for sports apparel lines honoring the history of the Chiefs and Monarchs is earning acclaim in her own right. Thalia Cherry…

Chase McAnulty, Charlie Hustle; TeamKC

Charlie Hustle named TeamKC MVP for KC Heart icon, unveils trio of summer charity events

Charlie Hustle’s KC Heart icon gained regional notoriety after a high-profile association with the World Series-winning Kansas City Royals, but now the brand is helping put Kansas City on the global stage with its simple, but historically-rooted design, said TeamKC. The vintage-inspired clothing company earned the TeamKC MVP award Friday for its work to collaborate,…

What’s startup support worth? Orgs threatened by budget cuts rally behind ROI numbers

Editor’s note: Startland News is a program of STARTLAND, an ecosystem-building organization that is among the participants in an informal coalition of entrepreneur support groups hoping to increase funding for startup support in the 2020-2021 Kansas City, Missouri, budget. This story was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. The impact is in the numbers,…

Keystone Innovation Center, image courtesy of BNIM

Mayor’s budget nixes $300K for Keystone innovation development at 18th and Troost

A proposed city budget for 2020-2021 signals a further shift in perspective for the Kansas City mayor’s office, removing significant funding for the planned Keystone innovation district project at 18th Street and Troost Avenue. KCMO would decrease the amount slated for the Keystone Development District by $300,000, if the submitted budget is approved, according to…

2020-2021 Kansas City, Missouri, city budget

Proposed KCMO budget includes $4.8M for zero-fare transit — cuts LaunchKC, KCSourceLink funding

A newly proposed city budget for Kansas City, Missouri, holds steady at $1.73 billion — making room for Mayor Quinton Lucas’ zero-fare transit program, while appearing to scale back funding for entrepreneur support across the city. KCMO would remove $50,000 for the LaunchKC program and $75,000 for KCSourceLink, if the submitted budget is approved, according…

Zego Paylease

Nine months after KC startup’s exit, its new owner adopts ‘Zego’ name, identity

Acquiring Kansas City-based Zego was a smart move for its new owner, the San Diego company said Tuesday — and a decision so impactful that the evolving tech platform is taking on the name and personality of the exited smart home startup. “We are excited to take the next steps in our company’s evolution,” said Dirk…

ScaleUP! KC unveils cohort packed with 17 entrepreneurs, backed by new leader

A 10th cohort for ScaleUP! Kansas City continues the program’s five-year legacy of helping entrepreneurs scale a diverse array of companies, the effort’s new leader said. “This program demonstrates over and over that you can not only start a business in Kansas City, but also that you can get all the tools, coaching, perspective and…

Union Station, Kansas City

Startups, offices in path of Chiefs parade closing to party amid travel concerns

A long-awaited parade and rally celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory is set to snarl traffic across the metro Wednesday, shutting down much of the city’s downtown-to-midtown business districts — rippling across a startup community eager to join in the fanfare. Set for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the parade is expected to draw more…

2020 celebration photos: Startups find value in being watched — $2.6M across 520+ stories

Editor’s note: The celebration event showcasing Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020 was sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with communities in education and entrepreneurship to increase opportunities that allow all people to learn, to take risks, and to own their success. Ten of Kansas City’s…

2018 LaunchKC winners

‘NEXT Missouri’ coalition launches policy push to renew MTC funding; EDCKC backing effort

A new effort by a coalition of Missouri policy-focused organizations aims to give Show Me State entrepreneurs a voice among legislators, as well as renew funding for an agency known for providing meaningful cash injections to Kansas City startups. Among the key priorities for NEXT Missouri — a 17-member-strong group, backed by the Economic Development Corporation…