ECJC leading Johnson County effort to distribute $13.5M in CARES small business grants
A new government lifeline designed to boost Johnson County entrepreneurs hit by the COVID-19 pandemic soon will offer a one-time $10,000 grant to qualified recipients. “Many of Johnson County’s small businesses have limited resources and access... Read more
Techstars co-founder Brad Feld launches $25K matching gift for Startland News donor campaign
Editor’s note: The following is an update to Startland News’ Give A Start — an eight-week donor campaign seeking reader support for the nonprofit newsroom. Click here to donate. One week into Startland News’ donor campaign — the nonprofit... Read more
Masked by fashion: COVID pivot pushes brand to local production, beyond mere ‘talk’ on social media
Editor’s note: The following is the second in a series of stories about Kansas City fashion companies putting their own creative spin on the often-utilitarian face mask. Blessings are all around, Anita Koul said, sifting through memories of a ye... Read more
Big winner at the Pure Pitch Rally: the American dream (and 8 pitchers vying for more than $91K)
Seven months after launching her startup, Nomi Smith’s PMI Rate Pro already is integrated with the nation’s six private mortgage insurance providers — saving more than 2,000 hours for loan officers and more than $1 million for homebuyers, she sa... Read more
KingFit prescription for growth: DiabetesCare startup becomes a pandemic must-have
WICHITA — A new partnership with a medical giant is adding even more fuel to a momentous 2020 for Kansas-grown KingFit, said Miguel Johns. The startup has entered an agreement with BioTel Care, the diabetes division of BioTelemetry — a $2 billi... Read more
Blue KC ‘investing in the future’ by joining KCRise Fund II to build high-tech startups
Editor’s note: KCRise Fund is a financial supporter of Startland, the parent organization of Startland News, and Darcy Howe, founder and managing director of KCRise Fund, sits on the board of the nonprofit, ecosystem-building entity. This... Read more
RiskGenius touchdown: OP insuretech startup scores exit deal with industry leader
Overland Park’s RiskGenius crossed a finish line this week — but work remains as an exit looms, the company announced Tuesday. Columbus, Ohio-based Bold Penguin — an innovation-driven startup that rapidly increases speed-to-bind for commercial... Read more
The grill hasn’t gone cold for Overland Park-stuffed Wiener Kitchen, said Dave Derr, recalling his unexpectedly packed experience as a restauranteur amid a pandemic season squeezing many small businesses. “We’ve had more revenue at our st... Read more
Rising startup stars among latest wave of Digital Sandbox’s critical COVID-era capital
Four new Digital Sandbox KC companies reflect a wide breadth of technology, diversity and ingenuity that’s not only typical of the proof-of-concept program, but needed as the startup community attempts a rebound amid the ongoing pandemic, said J... Read more
Hyperloop taps West Virginia for $500M project; Missouri still in the running for future sites, advocate says
A prized hyperloop project headed for West Virginia doesn’t mean Missouri’s hopes of a high-speed transportation system connecting St. Louis to Kansas City are off the rails, said Ryan Weber, KC Tech Council president. Virgin Hyperloop announced... Read more