As Kansas City’s rise as a Midwest blockchain hub continues, a new investor-focused summit is set to bring global blockchain and digital finance leaders to the region next month. The aim: Connect major players in the rapidly maturing sector with Heartland-based investors. The inaugural Heartland Digital Asset Exchange, or HDAX, is planned for Sept. 9 The post High-profile digital innovators, investors bringing blockchain finance leaders to Kansas City appeared first on Startland News.| Startland News
Garmin might not have survived cellular carriers putting free navigation and mapping apps on every smartphone if the Olathe-based GPS tech leader wasn’t constantly innovating, said Scott Burgett, touring a group of digital health entrepreneurs and investors through the Johnson County headquarters. “It’s what keeps a company vibrant,” said Burgett, senior director of Garmin Health The post Garmin survived the smartphone revolution; now it wears digital health innovation on its wrist ap...| Startland News
A network of “Community Navigators” is extending resources deeper into Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, KCSourceLink announced Friday, detailing the hiring of Citlali Valdez and Racquel Rodriguez to its months-old connectivity program. “We are thrilled to welcome these experienced team members,” said Becca Castro, senior director of regional ecosystem development at the UMKC Innovation Center, which The post KCSourceLink expands bilingual entrepreneur-focused support, adding tw...| Startland News
A lot of smart investors are betting on artificial intelligence, said Dick Flanigan, telling a crowd gathered Thursday at Digital Health Day that even if AI doesn’t turn every startup that uses it into a multi-million-dollar company, the technology still will fundamentally reshape health care. “It’s transformational,” said Flanigan, CEO of Digital Health KC and The post Meet the Lumi Award winners: Digital Health KC salutes pioneers leading innovation trends appeared first on Startlan...| Startland News
A hemisphere away from Brett Janssen’s former job at General Motors in Kansas City’s Northland, the now-budding Westport coffee shop owner found a fresh batch of opportunities: his wife, business partner and a transcontinental farm-to-cup Columbian coffee operation. Janssen’s House Coffee — the fruit of Janssen and his fiancée Genisis Mejia’s passion for coffee — The post Bean around the block: How this Westport coffee shop is cherry picking roasts from its own farm in the Andes ...| Startland News
As Meta officially flipped the switch this week on its Kansas City Data Center — making the $1 billion project part of the company’s global infrastructure — the move positions the metro as a hub for cutting-edge tech, said Quinton Lucas. “Meta’s investment in Kansas City is a clear signal that our city is a The post Meta’s billion-dollar KC data center just came online; here’s what the region expects it to generate appeared first on Startland News.| Startland News
Editor’s note: The following is part of an ongoing feature series exploring impacts of initiatives within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City through a paid partnership with EDCKC. Hotel owners wanted charm that can’t be built in today’s economy; Kansas City history booked them the bones to do it A one-of-a-kind, limestone-clad building at 906 The post How reactivating history can drive economic growth more sustainably than a new build appeared first on Startland News.| Startland News
Kansas City’s largest startup open house is back this fall — celebrating a decade of innovation alongside emerging builders and newsmakers. Set for Sept.19 and organized by Startland News, Startup Crawl will mark the newsroom’s 10-year anniversary with a high-energy showcase of the city’s entrepreneurial community. The event, presented by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, The post Startup Crawl returns Sept. 19, marking Startland’s 10-year anniversary with KC innovation focus ap...| Startland News
Renauld Shelton II sees power stitched into the seams of fashion, the Kansas City designer said, detailing the dynamic pairing of apparel and pride that grounds his luxury clothing brand. “It’s a confidence builder. When you look good, you feel good,” said Shelton, founder and CEO of Material Opulence. “It sets you up for success.” The post Attic with global ambitions: Luxury brand builds from humble origins to Material Opulence appeared first on Startland News.| Startland News
A hotel food hall — just up the hill from a main artery of the Country Club Plaza — is planning a restaurant rally this week; reopening its shared culinary experience with some of the Kansas City food scene’s biggest local brands and a food hall rarity: full-service. Under new management, a new name, and| Startland News
Work in a barbecue joint can involve hoisting 85-pound cases of brisket and cleaning away the soot, grease, and grime inside the pits. No place for a woman? Tell that to aspiring pitmaster Veronica Scroggins.| Startland News
Even when an entrepreneur hyper-obsesses over the details, Michael Jerwick learned, opportunity isn’t always tailor-fit to the most conveniently designed timing. The Slabotsky's owner just transplanted his century-spanning family business to River Market — a mere week before launching a brand new apparel side project.| Startland News
It began with Mason Barry’s search for the perfect black and white checkered sweatsuit. When nothing fit his expectations for design or quality, the Kansas City creative launched his own streetwear brand — featuring bold apparel that already is gaining a foothold in trendy fashion hubs from Brooklyn to Portland.| Startland News
As Kansas City-built PayIt scales across North America, a new financial leader is expected to help guide the company in its game-changing efforts to help government agencies modernize, serve their residents, and improve operating efficiency.| Startland News
Cross-sector collaboration will be key for Misty Chandler as she embarks on a freshly carved out journey within the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s evolving Real World Learning strategy, said Dr. Susan Klusmeier, lauding the longtime advocate for her wealth of experience with workforce readiness and student success at the University of Kansas.| Startland News
When photographer and digital artist David Morris set out to find a way to connect Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District with the Historic 18th and Vine district for an installation at a streetcar stop, he turned to artificial intelligence to kickstart the process.| Startland News
GolfTRK locations also serve as an incubator space for tech from Kansas City-built Noonan — a patent-pending digital caddie platform that uses simulator data to deliver intelligent shot recommendations and help golfers lower their scores.| Startland News
It’s all about the pan for Carlos Saura, a Spanish chef whose new paella and tapas spot in Kansas City’s bustling and diverse City Market is set to arrive in late summer or early fall — helping bring the historic marketplace district to 100-percent-leased capacity.| Startland News
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A prestigious — and relatively new-to-Kansas City — resource for high-net-worth C-suite leaders and successful entrepreneurs and founders is expanding: Tiger 21, a premier peer membership organization for ultra-wealth creators and preservers, is adding a second group.| Startland News
Systemic change happens when communities come together to drive transformation through collaboration, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, announcing a half-dozen grants to high-capacity organizations with strategies to close economic mobility gaps in the Kansas City region.| Startland News