News Stories
Retro-inspired activewear brought this stay-at-home mom out of isolation; why it’s go-go time for Molly Heise’s budding business
Molly Heise’s earliest memories go back to playing marbles on her great-grandma’s avocado-colored shag carpet, captivated by the various floral patterns that surrounded her, she recalled. Today, those memories inspire her personal style and activewear line, GoGoBloom. “I’ve loved the retro style for as long as I can remember,” she shared. “But in the past…
They fought to end Lee’s Summit’s neon ban; now they’re relighting a grinning, spinning Katz face in KC
How a Lee’s Summit duo is reviving eye-catching signs of KC’s past The iconic face of Katz Drug Store — the famed retail operation that grew from the streets of Kansas City to eventually become CVS — is set to return to its hometown thanks, in part, to a pair of unlikely neon sign restorationists. …
PlaBook to compete for $1M in prizes at world’s largest pitch competition for edtech startups
Fresh off its selection to Pipeline’s latest fellowship, a Kansas City edtech startup is now set to compete at The Elite 200 as a semifinalist in The GSV Cup — representing top pre-seed and seed stage startups in digital learning across the “Pre-K to Gray” space. KC-based PlaBook is set to vie for $1 million…
C2FO closes $140M funding round amid record growth, expanded focus on underserved companies
Editor’s note: C2FO is a financial supporter of Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Kansas City fintech powerhouse C2FO grows best when it’s accelerating access to capital for those traditionally underserved by the banking industry, said Sandy Kemper, announcing a $140 million funding round for the Leawood-based company. Led by Third Point Ventures — a multi-stage investor…
Joining 500 Global’s Japanese accelerator will test KC proptech startup’s market fit for Asian expansion
Access to acceleration has been unlocked, David Biga said, announcing Particle Space has joined a newly launched accelerator program from 500 Global that could give rise to a fully functioning startup ecosystem in Aichi, Japan — while helping the startup further realize its own potential. “One of the things we’ve been exploring with our API services…





