Latest Stories
Mayor’s budget nixes $300K for Keystone innovation development at 18th and Troost
A proposed city budget for 2020-2021 signals a further shift in perspective for the Kansas City mayor’s office, removing significant funding for the planned Keystone innovation district project at 18th Street and Troost Avenue. KCMO would decrease the amount slated for the Keystone Development District by $300,000, if the submitted budget is approved, according to…
Megh Marks History: Artist crafts Chiefs-inspired painting from on-field Super Bowl confetti
While most Kansas Citians were shouting from the rooftops in the seconds after the Chiefs Super Bowl victory, Megh Knappenberger was quietly writing down on the back of a grocery list an idea to capture the joyous spirit of the big win through artistic expression. “I saw the confetti raining down on the players and…
How many fans packed parade route for Chiefs? Crowd counting a touchdown for KC’s EB Systems
While a sea of red greeted Chiefs players Feb. 5 outside Union Station, many fans skipped the official victory rally honoring the world champion football team — opting instead to fight for their right to party nearby, according to crowd data from an emerging Kansas City startup. “Harsh weather and a drunk driving incident on…
Booch! (There it is): Tea-Biotics pours onto 39th Street with its first Missouri kombucha taproom
The “booch” biz is booming and Tea-Biotics Kombucha is bottling growth with its first taproom in Missouri. “We’re really pleased to be growing and also seeing new people, locals, coming in all the time,” said Lauren Klein, who oversees day-to-day operations at the kombucha startup’s latest taproom — the first to be brewed outside of…
Proposed KCMO budget includes $4.8M for zero-fare transit — cuts LaunchKC, KCSourceLink funding
A newly proposed city budget for Kansas City, Missouri, holds steady at $1.73 billion — making room for Mayor Quinton Lucas’ zero-fare transit program, while appearing to scale back funding for entrepreneur support across the city. KCMO would remove $50,000 for the LaunchKC program and $75,000 for KCSourceLink, if the submitted budget is approved, according…
The Village KC plans STEM camp, financial literacy efforts to help KCMO teens unlock potential
A new sense of freedom is on the horizon for Kansas City teens as The Village KC opens its doors and empowers young people to find their futures. “Freedom, to me, is access to opportunities that allow you to live well,” Di’Anna Saffold, founder and executive director, explained of ways The Village KC aims to…
AltCap’s NeXt Stage KC launches with one goal: More ‘Yes’ for minority entrepreneurs
Diversity is just good business, said LaDonna Gooden, emphasizing that companies with a variety of perspectives consistently outperform their competitors. “The opportunity really exists for everyone in this ecosystem to benefit and participate [in Kansas City’s startup scene],” said Gooden, entrepreneur in residence and coach for NeXt Stage KC, a program of AltCap. “I don’t…
Startup Road Trip: Student-led KU Blockchain Institute has high-tech dreams with graduation nearing
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. LAWRENCE…
‘Scarlet Knight’ cuts through comic book stigma with real-life entrepreneur, brand crossovers
Continuing his comic book quest to capture the realities of urban life, Juaquan Herron returns to drop the Scarlet Knight’s second volume — this time featuring some recognizable Kansas City faces, he said. “It’s just one of those things where you definitely have to figure out other avenues to make the brand bigger — bigger…
Nine months after KC startup’s exit, its new owner adopts ‘Zego’ name, identity
Acquiring Kansas City-based Zego was a smart move for its new owner, the San Diego company said Tuesday — and a decision so impactful that the evolving tech platform is taking on the name and personality of the exited smart home startup. “We are excited to take the next steps in our company’s evolution,” said Dirk…
