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
Airbnb invests $100K in city’s World Cup push to get pop-up businesses into storefronts
The goal for Open Doors! goes beyond small businesses checking in, then promptly checking out once the FIFA World Cup ends, said Tracey Lewis, announcing a $100,000 investment from Airbnb to help expand long-term opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
KC allergist raises $200K to launch exposure-building immunity droplets for infants
A Kansas City physician-turned-founder has secured $200,000 in pre-launch funding to scale a solution that boosts healthy immune development in infants through early childhood with consistent exposure to food proteins.
Great Jobs KC awarded $3.8M+ Patterson grant to expand rural workforce training into Kansas, Missouri
A three-year grant from the Patterson Family Foundation is expected to help Great Jobs KC bring life-changing training and wraparound support services to workers in rural counties on both sides of the state line, said Earl Martin Phalen.
Parent company’s latest acquisition pours new beer brand into Boulevard’s production lineup
An acquisition by Boulevard Brewing Co.’s parent company will shift production to the Kansas City facility on Southwest Boulevard — tapping into local expertise and workflow management efficiencies, said Bobby Dykstra.
KC native, active-duty Army officer brings the Kentucky bourbon brand he founded to his home state
Adding H.K. Young Bourbon Co. to select shelves in Kansas is a milestone with deep personal significance, said founder Cole "CG" Hanna, who was inspired to build the brand during his time stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, near the Bourbon Trail.
West Bottoms Plant Company grows into Lawrence with new sister shop along Mass Street
A freshly potted location in downtown Lawrence not only propagates a local brand’s signature blend of plants and local goods in a new home, said Austin Mosier; it opens the door to inclusive experiences for plant enthusiasts, DIY crafters and hobbyists of all skill levels.
VA partners with Healium to launch nation’s largest in-home VR mental health initiative for veterans
A Missouri-built digital health platform is working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to deploy more than 700 in-home virtual reality (VR) mental wellness kits.
High-profile Digital Sandbox KC funding program gets new leader: a veteran Austin tech founder
Kansas City already has all the ingredients a startup needs to grow, said Jeff Zhao, expressing excitement about combining his expertise in technology commercialization with existing local resources.
Just funded: Meet 6 new Sandbox startups poised to impact digital health, AI innovation
A fresh round of novel technology concepts — ranging from deterring AI-powered surveillance to supporting families raising autistic children — are among the latest to earn proof-of-concept backing from Digital Sandbox KC.
KC’s new ‘mini con’ experience set to showcase local comic book creators, family-friendly cosplay
A community-powered pop-up comic book convention is expected to put local artists on the front and center, said Brandon Calloway, illustrating the need for a smaller, more accessible comic con experience in Kansas City. Heartland Mini Con — set for May 30 at Equal Minded Cafe, 4327 Troost Ave. — is designed to be welcoming…