Guest Authors Stories

Marshall Dougherty, Target Hill Capital

Marshall Dougherty: Don’t forget 4 basic values that drive entrepreneurial success

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Marshall Dougherty is a longtime developer of leaders and teams through his military and investment careers. The local crime report, shady politicians, unscrupulous business people — it’s easy to adopt a cynical view of the world and feel like today’s culture of lying…

Zach Pettet: It’s time to make some noise about KC’s secret bad ass investors

Editor’s note: Zach Pettet is the managing director of Fountain City Fintech and a fintech strategist at nbkc bank, with which Startland News has partnered on a Dec. 6 Innovation Exchange event. Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Quiet wealth in Kansas City is a double-edged sword. The upside? You have to…

Jason Tatge, Farmobile

Farmobile’s Jason Tatge: Why venture capitalists can’t afford to fly over Midwest startups

Savvy investors are turning their attention to the Midwest. Leading VC firms and investors are fleeing from the high prices, the groupthink and the cutthroat competition of the coasts and turning to the heart of the United States for their next moonshots. And yet, the Midwest attracts just 7 percent of VC capital, a tiny…

Rick Usher

Rick Usher: How can KCMO balance policy and micromobility technology?

Update: On Thursday, KCMO City Manager Troy Schulte authorized Bird to deploy up to 500 scooters, as authorized in the city’s interim operating agreement. Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. This piece by Rick Usher was originally published by the National League of Cities, and comes days after Kansas City…

David Myers, partner at The Whitlock Company

David Myers: Don’t do it alone! Why your startup should outsource its accounting

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary about workplace culture are the author’s alone. David Myers is a longtime business strategist who recently relocated from Springfield, Missouri, to Kansas City. Batman had Robin. Sherlock Holmes had Dr. John Watson. Captain Kirk had Spock. Every superhero has a great sidekick, and the same should go…