Editor’s note: The following kicks off Startland News’ Give A Start — an eight-week donor campaign seeking reader support for the nonprofit newsroom. Click here to donate. It’s a big day. Startland News is launching its first-ever do... Read more
NEER heads to the Pacific (virtually) for $200K, climate change solutions accelerator
An intensive, 10-month application process is paying off for NEER, as the Kansas City water management startup says aloha to a Hawaii-based accelerator and a significant funding infusion. Joining the ninth cohort of Elemental Excelerator in Hono... Read more
Masked by fashion: Rightfully Sewn’s latest launch moves needle toward inclusivity, sustainability
Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of stories about Kansas City fashion companies putting their own creative spin on the often-utilitarian face mask. Inspiration comes from everywhere, said Jennifer Lapka, unveiling her compan... Read more
More than a virtual grocery store, Pantry Goods is keeping food (and soil) ‘alive’
Whole foods have never been so affordable, Marcelle Clements said, as Pantry Goods sews seeds of sustainability in Kansas City and consumers reap a harvest full of benefits. “I’ve always had one foot in this farming, sustainable world,” s... Read more
Grown in a lab: Kansas City digital product agency Crema sells plant-care app to Bloomscape
Sprouted from Venture Lab Fridays, Crema’s plant-care app Vera illustrated the possibilities of what setting aside work to grow creative and educational skills can bring, said George Brooks. The idea behind Venture Lab: use every other Friday at... Read more
A place to belong: Business model built to shatter intimidation lifted City Gym through COVID’s heaviest season yet
Ahead-of-the-curve thinking helped keep City Gym strong in the early days of COVID-19 when the weight of the pandemic dropped on people-focused industries. “We lost a fair amount of members — maybe they couldn’t financially afford it anymore,... Read more
‘Someone to lean on’ — Forward KC partners to bring 1-on-1 mentorship to Troost, Prospect
It’s obvious where Kansas City’s underserved areas for entrepreneurial and community resources fall — the east side, said Morgan Perry, noting that 22 chambers of commerce serve other portions of Jackson County. “But for Troost, for Prospect — w... Read more
BacklotCars developer balances work, school and helping recover 33,000 pounds of food for the hungry
Behind the scenes of BacklotCars’ historic $425 million exit deal, one of the Kansas City company’s top developers is feeding innovation in his home country, said Josh Parsons. Pablo Ulguin — a full-time senior software developer at BacklotCars... Read more
Timing ‘couldn’t be better’ for scaling Innara Health’s solution for preemies, CEO says
One of Kansas City’s most under the radar startups is scaling up amid COVID-19 — thanks in part to a share of $250 thousand in non-dilutive funding from a Los Angeles-based accelerator and FDA sponsored pediatric device consortia. “When COVID hi... Read more
Better the next day: Halal street food thrives to-go with a simple recipe — optimism, good food and hungry neighbors
While countless local restaurants have struggled through pandemic-served challenges, business has been nothing short of amazing for Brookside Pakastani staple Chai Shai, said Aasma Tufail. “I cook simple food — and people love it so much. I am... Read more