Latest Stories

Jason Grill on election innovation: No one wants to waste time, votes, or health security at polling places right now

Though Kansas Democrats’ transition to mail-in ballots for the coming primary is itself increasingly important because of COVID-19 and social distancing concerns, the initiative — when paired with Ranked Choice Voting — will eliminate “wasted votes” and empower voters, said Jason Grill.  “It’s just a better way. It’s innovative. It’s something that more people are…

Zen Donkey Farms, photo courtesy of Anna Petrow

‘Bray of Sunshine’ during dark times: Zen Donkey Farms juices light from lemons

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. A few weeks ago, home delivery was just a quirky,…

Blade & Timber team

‘Waiting on the world to reopen’: Blade & Timber now distributing J. Rieger’s must-have hand sanitizer 

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Two lines of cars, at times numbering in the dozens,…

Thou Mayest pivots away from panic: ‘Good goes so much farther than just bitching’

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Today isn’t payday for Bo Nelson. But he’s still roasting…

Wendy Guillies, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman Foundation commits $2.8M to COVID-19 community response efforts in KC

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland…

‘Businesses need help now’: AltCap unveils $5M COVID-19 relief loan fund with Kauffman, civic, private backing

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland…

U.S. Capital, photo courtesy of the KC Tech Council

Are VC-backed startups excluded from federal aid? KC Tech Council urges SBA rethink rules

Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Legislation signed into law last week to provide broad assistance…

Nicholas Franano, Artio

Investors pump another $8.8M into KC medical device startup, bringing funding total to $20M+ 

A Fairway-based medical device company is getting to the heart of its entrepreneurial journey, securing a fresh $8.8 million in Series A financing, Dr. Nicholas Franano announced Tuesday. The additional influx to Artio — rebranded from “Metactive” earlier this winter — brings the startup’s total capital raised to more than $20 million. The company has…

Philip Hickman, Plabook; Nomi Smith, PMI Rate Pro; Max Schanker, SWOT; and Jerren Thornhill, The Guy Experience

Digital Sandbox KC deploys funding to four new startups as uncertainty becomes ‘new normal’

Startup leaders’ needs — and the development of their ideas — don’t stop with the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), said Jill Meyer, announcing the latest round of funding selections for Digital Sandbox KC. “We know our entrepreneurs are facing so much uncertainty in this current situation,” said Meyer, senior director of technology ventures at the UMKC…

Buttman illustration by TJ Hanscum

Mysterious comic character resurfaces, offering an escape from unpredictable times

Buttman is missing? Well, he might just be out hunting toilet paper like everyone else. About a month before Kansas City workers were forced to abandon their downtown offices in response to the city’s Stay At Home order and ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a strange series of “missing” posters papered the Crossroads Arts District. Illustrator…