News Stories

‘Picklecon’ coming to KC in 2024 with 100 pickleball courts, $3.9M-projected economic impact

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, noted Kathy Nelson; and a one-of-a-kind pickleball experience is coming to Kansas City in 2024. In collaboration with Visit KC, Triple Crown Sports is bringing its inaugural celebration of pickleball to Kansas City. Picklecon is an all-encompassing pickleball experience designed to welcome players of all skill levels:…

It’s science: Music moves young minds, says singer-turned-nonprofit leader; festival to showcase how diversity of song shapes community

A Kansas City non-profit’s punk rock move to improve teens’ mental wellness through song is getting an extra jolt from a $100,000 gift — funds that support the organization as it plans an upcoming music and arts festival in the city’s Northeast, as well as promotes scientific efforts to show how rock and roll impacts…

Their designs are so unique they’re one-of-one; ‘slow fashion’ duo turns thrift store finds into runway-worthy fits

A Kansas City couple’s upcycled fashion brand is making waves, as thousands of social media followers — and some high-profile names — have taken note of the company’s repurposed “one-of-one” clothing pieces. The passion project of co-founders Jared Armstrong and Caylin Willis, Yvonne and Mitchel takes clothing materials from thrift stores and reimagines them into…

New Kauffman CEO begins her ‘journey of impact’ with renewed focus on Kansas City

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News. Work within Kansas City to inspire education and entrepreneurship has a ripple effect across the region, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace; and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is doubling down on its commitment to the Kansas City community under her new leadership. …

This one-day competition builds more than apps, organizers say; Hack Midwest aims to reveal what humans are capable of creating  

Kansas City’s largest app building competition is set to return in September — with more than 300 software engineers competing in teams for a piece of $22,500 in winnings. Hack Midwest, which began in 2012, brings together developers for a 24-hour “hackathon,” during which the teams race against the clock — and each other — to…