LaunchKC winner shows value with $900K pre-seed round, earns critical local support
Kansas City’s DataAppraisal has secured $900,000 in pre-seed funding for its AI-powered proprietary software that helps healthcare organizations unlock the monetary value of their enterprise data, said Tam Tran. And the tech startup’s recent dev... Read more
Being the first Kansas City-based Latino franchise to have a concession stand in Kauffman Stadium is a dream come true, shared Palacana owner and CEO Jose Luis Valdez. Palacana — which has six locations across the metro and an ice cream and pale... Read more
Route to Mr. K Award runs through Union Station: See which small businesses may have a ticket for Chamber’s top honor
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. Being recognized as one of the KC Chamber’s 2023 award nominees... Read more
A well-muscled funding round is expected to help Lenexa-based Vytelle expand its global operations after having already scaled the agtech startup’s breakthrough in vitro fertilization, data capture, and AI-driven genetics tech to be easily... Read more
Founder to founder: One day you’re eating cheap ramen, the next you’re KC’s big exit story; struggles define startups as much as success
Even after building a startup into one of Kansas City’s biggest exit success stories, the entrepreneurs and leaders behind BacklotCars don’t sit around to talk about their grand achievements when they reunite, said Anders Ericson; they reminisce... Read more
Kelce Jam set for April 28: KC’s favorite tight-end is bringing a new music festival in time for NFL Draft weekend
The celebration continues, said Travis Kelce, announcing Tuesday his first-ever personal music festival — Kelce Jam — on the heels of the star Chiefs player’s Super Bowl victory alongside Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the two-time championship... Read more
Blerdy for 30: KC comic creator’s documentary takes Black nerd culture from niche to your screen
A recently launched Kansas City entertainment company hopes to become the digital epicenter of “Blerd” — shorthand for Black nerd — content, said Brandon Calloway. Now the founder of Blerd TV, Calloway debuted the Blerd YouTube channel in Januar... Read more
KC Pioneers to their visiting Aussie players: Feel what it’s like to have an entire city behind you
Playing professional esports has given 17-year-old Ethan Klumpp an opportunity to travel the world; Kansas City has been one of the most livable cities he’s visited yet, he shared. “My experience in Kansas City, it’s different from the other U.S... Read more
Ryan Wager isn’t just renting out classic cars with his new startup, he shared, he’s loaning out memories. North Kansas City-based RND — launched earlier this year — allows community members and visitors to take classic, RND-restored cars — like... Read more
16 small businesses in 60 seconds: Did you spot your favorite entrepreneur in the Royals’ new campaign?
It’s a new season, but longtime connections fly deep into the outfield for the Kansas City Royals and a fandom that’s supported them for decades. Among those most impacted: entrepreneurs whose stories run along the same baseline as the champions... Read more