How are founders building faster with less? MidxMidwest match-making earns credit alongside AI
November 13, 2026 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Scott Coons, founder of the now-exited Perceptive Software, joins Dan Kerr, Flyover Capital, for a fireside chat during MidxMidwest; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
When Scott Coons scaled his company into a $650 million global business with more than 3,000 employees worldwide, the Perceptive Software founder felt like he had to do it alone, Coons told a crowd Thursday at MidxMidwest.
“There were no conferences like this,” he said of Kansas City in the mid-1990s. “There were no local technology investors. I’m extremely pleased to see what’s going on in the community today to help people get past that first step.”
Scott Coons, retired serial founder and former leader of the exited Perceptive Software, participates in a fireside chat with Dan Kerr, Flyover Capital, during MidxMidwest; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Coons joined Dan Kerr, co-founder of MidxMidwest and principal at Flyover Capital, for a fireside chat during Year 5 of the event, which brings together high-growth entrepreneurs, national investors, and corporate innovators to spotlight and accelerate the momentum of the middle of the country.
“It has directly resulted in a number of investments in companies and far more connections beyond that,” Kerr said of the investor summit. “In the landscape we’re in, things are moving extremely fast with AI. It’s changing every day. And connections in the region are more important as a result if we’re going to be competitive with other parts of the country. So it’s especially important to have these conversations.”
“In essence, you could say MidxMidwest is dating,” he added. “We’re all dating each other, getting to know each other further.”
The annual summit — which brings together 100 early-stage founders and 100 venture funds from 30 different states — also included curated breakout sessions and more than 500 pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings.
“What you’ve done for the community is absolutely amazing,” Coons said, referencing Flyover Capital and MidxMidwest organizers. “This event is a testament to that.”
Dan Kerr, Flyover Capital, speaks with Scott Coons, Perceptive Software, during a fireside chat at MidxMidwest; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
The region already has a lot of software knowledge and experience, Coons said, but to get better, Kansas City needs its old-school engineers to understand how to use AI and not be slow to adopt.
An engineering graduate from the University of Kansas, Coons stayed in the area after he graduated because of his young family — unlike many of his classmates who joined Microsoft.
“They don’t understand that they’re really an orchestrator, if you will,” he explained. “They’re a conductor of their agents and how they build things.”
“But that’s exciting, too, because you can do things much faster with way less,” Coons continued. “And you can start to shift your investment into more go-to-market versus having to build something that’s, to be honest, quite easy to build.”
Scott Coons, retired serial founder and former leader of the exited Perceptive Software, participates in a fireside chat with Dan Kerr, Flyover Capital, during MidxMidwest; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Since selling Perceptive Software to Lexmark International in 2010 and retiring in 2015, Coons has remained active, serving on software boards and investing in and mentoring regional founders.
In 2025, he stepped into the operator role again as CEO of CMX1, an enterprise software provider offering AI-enhanced solutions for safety, quality, and compliance.
“I’ve been involved probably in 15, 16, 17 companies since I retired as an independent director,” he told the crowd. “What I can say is, of those companies, not all of them have been successful by any means. But those that have been highly successful have CEOs that were willing to listen and willing to have their ideas challenged.”
“Those who really listen, those that work on the business versus in the business, those who build a good team around them, and are dedicated,” he added.
The biggest mistake that a lot of founders make, Coons said, is going after a new segment, industry, or geographic footprint without perfecting what they already are doing.
“There’s false signs that you’re going to grow this part of your business,” he explained. “It’s going to be great. You might as well expand now. And you really got to ask yourself: Are you really capturing, soaking up every last nickel? And what you’re doing well today, have you perfected it? What are your competitors doing? Have you built an engine that has agility to it and you can build software quickly?”
For those who’ve done all those things, it’s time to expand, Coons continued.
“If you haven’t, then you have to really step back and say, ‘What do I need to do to be the greatest of what I’m currently doing?’” he added. “And I think that’s a big, big change: focus.”
Check out a gallery below for a glimpse into MidxMidwest’s summit full of panel conversations, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
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