News Stories

startups kcmo budget

Startup advocates rally, demand KCMO invest more of its $1.73B budget in entrepreneurs

If Kansas City leaders want to build a stronger community, they should start by supporting early stage entrepreneurs, said Lesa Mitchell. “I’m simply here to say — we’re not spending enough money … and we need to look at it,” Mitchell, managing director of Techstars Kansas City, told KCMO city council members Saturday during a public…

Edison Spaces jumpstart

Edison Spaces selects two startups for its inaugural Jumpstart office space giveaway

The first fruit to bare in an effort of ecosystem elevation, two Kansas City startups have received a jumpstart — courtesy of Edison Spaces, the flexible office space provider announced Friday. “Ultimately, we know the challenges entrepreneurs face when starting a business, because we ourselves faced these challenges,” said Matt Druten, Edison Spaces CEO. A barrier…

KC mayors startups

A dating app for founders? Hotspots overhead? KCMO mayoral candidates pair up to pitch startup solutions

Bridging the digital divide in Kansas City is simple: Put WiFi hotspots in the trees, quipped Steve Miller, while pitching startup ideas — formed through on-the-spot brainstorming — to a crowd of entrepreneurs. “I love this tree idea … It’s very unique,” laughed fellow Kansas City, Missouri, mayoral candidate and equally off-the-cuff Alissia Canady, Tuesday…

Darcy Howe, KCRise Fund

KCultivator Q&A: Darcy Howe helps awaken a sleepy city from its safe spaces, talks rest and refueling

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Empowering Kansas City entrepreneurs to realize their dreams is in Darcy Howe’s blood, she said with a coy smile, seated in an open meeting space atop the 24th floor of her downtown office. “Kansas City was…

Gary Fish, Fishtech Group

Fishtech securing market position in the face of emerging threats, founder’s own win record

On track to reach $100 million in annual revenue by 2020, it’s full steam ahead for the cyber security freight train Fishtech Group, said serial entrepreneur Gary Fish. “It took me about 14 years to get [to $100 million] in my first company,” explained Fish, founder and CEO of the three-year-old, Martin City-based, data-driven security…