Meet the cohort: Founder scaling Startup Weekend’s winning idea through Columbia venture fund, studio
COLUMBIA, Missouri — Winning Missouri Startup Weekend this spring put Chrystal Graves one step closer to revolutionizing the beauty industry, she shared, noting the victory helped secure her spot in the Scale venture fund and studio. “I have bee... Read more
‘I Am’ the domino effect: This changemaker wants to show youth impacted by redlining another reality
When Elijah Dormeus moved to Kansas City in 2019, he brought with him a nonprofit that provides mentorship and leadership training to students in underserved communities, with the end goal of empowering them to achieve their dreams. “The I Am Fo... Read more
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 Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV),... Read more
They could’ve cracked into any industry; Why this dynamic team paired its talents with snacks
A local foodie’s quest to recreate her favorite discontinued cracker led a trio of longtime friends to build their own company, serving up specialty appetizer kits that customers are savoring in Kansas City and beyond. Crackerology produces shel... Read more
Former Chiefs star wants to change the way employers look at tech talent — starting with untapped ‘forever learners’
A new-to-Kansas City nonprofit is expected to provide young adults from underrepresented backgrounds with workforce development training and placement into technology sector jobs, opening another pathway toward achieving educational, economic, a... Read more
New culinary center opens in the Northland, offering startup food businesses commercial kitchen space
Mid-Continent Public Library opened the doors to its much-anticipated Culinary Center — with public-facing food and nutrition-focused classes beginning in June, as well as commercial kitchen access for emerging food entrepreneurs. “We are thrill... Read more
KC Current drops apparel collaboration with streetwear brand to celebrate AAPI heritage
A new, limited-edition collection from MADE MOBB and the Kansas City Current features designs that blend the KC streetwear brand’s icon style with input from hometown women’s soccer players Chardonnay Curran and Hailie Mace. The merchandis... Read more
Entrepreneur meets with VP Harris; surprised DC already knew about KC’s first Black-owned brewery
Word travels. A roundtable discussion this week with Vice President Kamala Harris gave Kemet Coleman an opportunity to put his city, and specifically the 18th and Vine neighborhood, on an elevated platform, the Kansas City entrepreneur and music... Read more
The grand re-re-re-opening of Vignettes Cocktail Bar as a pop-up tribute to the animated TV series “Bob’s Burgers” is a well-seasoned homage to yet another cult classic, said Edward Schmalz, co-owner of the North Kansas City nightspot. “We want... Read more
This startup’s AI, Bluetooth tech could push traffic to businesses, boost equity when World Cup comes to KC
This spring’s NFL Draft served as a beta test for Kansas City’s implementation of Jonathan Ruiz’s bluetooth technology, he said, noting that the tech and data could help better prepare the city for the World Cup in 2026. “We wanted to start coll... Read more