News Stories

Go Topeka's Kansas Innovation Dealroom announcement; photo courtesy of Go Topeka

Go Topeka launches ‘Kansas Innovation Dealroom’ to track startup ecosystem growth

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…

Kauffman CEO retiring this fall: New leader must support ‘entrepreneur-focused economic development’

President and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation ​​Wendy Guillies announced that she will be retiring this fall after 22 years with the nonprofit.  “Like many people over the past extraordinary few years, I’ve reflected on my professional and personal priorities. What won’t change is my drive to engage in work that makes our…

Its menu simmers with just five dishes; How Thaiger’s bowl’d flavors roll in complex family recipes

When someone orders the spicy pho or crispy pork belly bowl at Thaiger, they soon receive it just as Adison Sichampanakhone and his family make it at home, he shared.  “If you were to come to one of our barbecues or cookouts, you would see it’s the same preparation, same sauce as we do here…

He wants to create 100 millionaires before he dies (but first Nassir Criss says he’ll have to leave KC)

Nassir Criss has been a risk-taker for as long as he can remember, he shared.  “When you start at the bottom, the only place you can go is up — so I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind or walk up to someone who I think may be interesting and say hello. I haven’t…

Nicky Lopez for Sandlot Goods

Sandlot scores endorsement by one of KC’s favorite players; how the deal puts this brand on a base path to the big leagues

Kansas City’s only local hat maker, Sandlot Goods, announced Thursday its first professional athlete endorsement — from Royals infielder Nicky Lopez — in a hit aimed as a major play in the brand’s home run strategy. “We are incredibly excited about our first major league endorsement,” said Chad Hickman, founder of Sandlot Goods. “The first…