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

Katie Boody, LEANLAB Education

LEANLAB Education earns $200K grant from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative for public schools research

A $200,000 grant to LEANLAB Education from Mark Zuckerberg’s philanthropic arm will mark the Facebook founder’s first investment in the Kansas City education scene. “We are committed to growing partnerships throughout the country,” said Katie Boody, LEANLAB CEO. “And with the support of [The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative] we aspire to write the playbook for how…

Mr. K Award finalists

Mr. K Award finalists: RFP360, KC Bier Co., Charlie Hustle among Chamber’s Top 10 Small Businesses

From one of Kansas City’s most popular breweries to a startup that streamlines the RFP process to an apparel company known for its big heart, 10 small businesses received surprise visits Friday — each now a finalist for the prestigious Mr. K Award. “The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce showered us with confetti today…

Reggie Gray, Black Privilege, KCSourceLink video

WATCH: Faces of KC entrepreneurship find strength in numbers, community resources

A new video from KCSourceLink highlights the faces of Kansas City entrepreneurship — featuring makers, innovators, tech founders and social entrepreneurs — and their connection to the resource network and ecosystem infrastructure in Kansas City. “It takes very special people to be able to put everything on the line,” says Reggie Gray, executive director of Black…

Brendan Reilly, Dan Scott and Richard Neal, Lelex Prime

Time to see green: 3 startups spring into Digital Sandbox KC proof-of-concept program

The path from concept to commercialization has three reinvigorated travelers this spring, Jeff Shackelford said Thursday, announcing the latest early-stage entrepreneurs to join Digital Sandbox KC. The program’s newly joined startups include a tech-driven legal solution and two companies using artificial intelligence to innovate their industries, said Shackelford, executive director of Digital Sandbox KC. “As…

Reports: St. Louis startup scene surging while KC struggles to keep pace with past wins

Founders hoping to launch a new startup or move into a fresh market might have better success in St. Louis, rather than Kansas City, according to Inc. magazine’s Surge Cities Index. Inc. placed St. Louis at No. 33 on its 50 Best Places in America for Starting a Business list. Kansas City was positioned at…

KC Outpost at SXSW: LaunchKC sparking interest in Kansas City-fueled Next-Gen tech talk

LaunchKC has landed in Austin for SXSW and is planting a flag in the ground for Kansas City this weekend, said Drew Solomon. Set for Sunday at the popular bar Maggie Mae’s in Austin, KC Outpost returns with presentations featuring expert speakers from Virgin Hyperloop One, Garmin, FishTech Group, Mastercard and other high-profile organizations, said…

ScaleUP! Kansas City ninth cohort

ScaleUP! KC reveals new 15-member cohort of growing businesses; touts alumni successes

Entrepreneurs joining the latest ScaleUP! Kansas City cohort represent ventures from such varied business sectors as photography, construction, design, counseling, film and engineering, said Jill Meyer. An ability to scale knows no single industry, emphasized Meyer, program director of ScaleUP! KC. “This program has shown us, time and time again, that not only can you…

EDCKC selects 2019 Cornerstone Awards finalists; May celebration to honor Emanuel Cleaver

Innovators and leaders in new construction, redevelopment, capital investments, job creation and expansion projects in Kansas City, Missouri, are set to be honored in late May at the 2019 Cornerstone Awards. The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, (EDCKC) announced 22 finalists for the honors today. “The Cornerstone Awards are a chance to take…

Edison Spaces jumpstart

Edison Spaces selects two startups for its inaugural Jumpstart office space giveaway

The first fruit to bare in an effort of ecosystem elevation, two Kansas City startups have received a jumpstart — courtesy of Edison Spaces, the flexible office space provider announced Friday. “Ultimately, we know the challenges entrepreneurs face when starting a business, because we ourselves faced these challenges,” said Matt Druten, Edison Spaces CEO. A barrier…

Greg Kratofil, Polsinelli; Davyeon Ross, ShotTracker; Matt Watson, Stackify; No Coast finalists

No Coast finalists: Trio of startup heavyweights among KC Tech Council award contenders

Updated: Click here for No Coast winners. KC Tech Council released finalists Wednesday for its No Coast awards — a March 8 celebration of trailblazing innovators across the tech industry in Kansas City — which features a handful of startup founders and companies. “These are the folks who went above and beyond in tech,” KC Tech…