Startups Stories

BIOLO hits the scoreboard at Children's Mercy Park

Sporting KC teams with homegrown company to bring biodegradable straws to the Cauldron

Sporting Kansas City announced Tuesday a multi-year partnership with BIOLO as the official home compostable straw of Sporting Sustainability. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Kansas City, BIOLO manufactures bags, mailers and straws that are proudly made in the USA with Nodax – a revolutionary polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer certified to biodegrade in soil, marine and…

Satya Mishra and Raj Singh, co-founders of WayLit

Missouri startup wants to make it easier for HR to fill tech gap with foreign nationals; its immigration management software just got funded

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. ST….

Jackie Nguyen, Cafe Cà Phê; Jill and Justin Bertelsen, Bertelsen Education and Crib Coaching; and Risa Stein, SeeInMe

UMKC’s pitch competition showcases ‘real people’ solving real problems with $88K up for grabs

Seven ventures remain in a popular regional business challenge that culminates this week with $88,000 in prizes on the line. Many of the competitors: no strangers to the pitch stage. Finalist presentations in the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge are planned for in-person Friday afternoon, followed by an awards ceremony at the UMKC Bloch Executive Hall….

Kiffany Bosserman, owner of Cottontale and Cookies and Creamery, speaks with Shakia Webb, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, during the Chamber's Small Business Showcase at Union Station

Entrepreneurs pack Union Station as Chamber showcases diversity of KC’s small biz scene

Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. A diverse cross-section of Kansas City small business owners filled the Grand Hall at Union Station with energy and enthusiasm Thursday, Vicky Kulikov said, noting a significant…

National champion KU mens basketball team; photo courtesy of the University of Kansas

FanThreeSixty teams with national champs, turning data into actionable plays to boost revenue, KU fan experience

Another national championship title isn’t the only banner win the University of Kansas Athletics is adding to its rafters this year.  Weeks after scoring the NCAA men’s basketball title, the university has partnered with Kansas City-dunked FanThreeSixty to better connect with its fanbase in seasons to come.  “By partnering with FanThreeSixty, not only will Kansas…