West Coast video-recording eyewear startup catches 5G wave of inspiration via KC accelerator
COVID-19 kept members of this summer’s T-Mobile Accelerator cohort from experiencing Kansas City in person, said Iskander Rakhman, but the virtual format didn’t prevent startups from gaining lasting insight into 5G capabilities that could push t... Read more
No Coast names finalists for KC’s premier tech champions; winners revealed Sept. 16
Inspirational leaders impacting tech aren’t confined to the coasts — nor to a pre- or post-pandemic world, said organizers of the No Coast awards, pushing forward with plans to honor significant contributions to Kansas City’s tech community virt... Read more
Music no, murals a go: Your fall events calendar won’t look the same as festivals grapple with COVID reality
With summer winding to an anticlimactic end amid COVID-19 restrictions, outdoor festivals aren’t immune to the pandemic’s impact, organizers said, noting high-profile changes and cancelations for Kansas City’s annual fall events lineup. Among th... Read more
No sugarcoating it: Popculture pops amid sputtering KC snack scene with ‘say yes’ mentality
Tucked away in the basement of their new Overland Park gourmet popcorn and ice cream shop, Justin and Melody Woo are already tasting the bold flavors of resiliency — and success — amid an ongoing pandemic that has ravaged small businesses. “I do... Read more
100 requests in two hours: $100K resiliency fund closes applications for minority biz relief grants
Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial sponsor of Startland News. This report was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Overwhelming response to a new resiliency grant fund for minority-owned b... Read more
LEANLAB boosting its K12 Fellowship with $2M in new Chan Zuckerberg, Gates Foundation grants
Buoyed by a fresh $2 million in high-profile grants, LEANLAB Education is resuming its innovation research program for schools — this year, focusing its K12 Fellowship search first on the needs of COVID-era pilot schools rather than matching the... Read more
Startups pitching this week to earn finalists spots for ‘Mr K’ Small Biz of the Year award
Innovation-led companies are going mainstream in Kansas City with an increasing number of product, experience and tech-based startups named as candidates for the top small business prize in the city: the Mr. K Award. Such well-known names to Sta... Read more
M25 ranking: KC gains traction against Midwest peers, but startups need more state support
Kansas City remains the “undisputed hub of startup activity in the area,” according to a new ranking by M25 — putting the City of Fountains in an enviable position as tech and startup leaders in high-priced coastal areas look for new homes in th... Read more
Entrepreneur opening third store: Don’t let ‘buy local’ be a fad; we’re investing it all in our businesses
Conversations and social media advocacy pivot quickly, acknowledged Isaac Collins, but “shop local” should be more than just the flavor of the week as COVID-19 serves a full menu of challenges for small business owners. “The Amazons, the Walmart... Read more
KC tech community likely staying home, skipping events and travel until 2021, report says
Tech leaders are now accepting that a return to work and live events will take longer — perhaps much longer — than initially expected at the outset of the Coronavirus pandemic, said Ryan Weber. “In April, there was a rosier outlook for the resum... Read more