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Techstars

Techstars hacks into expert minds for visions of a future dominated by robotics

A Fourth Industrial Revolution is unfolding as consumers and the tech industry alike watch with bated breath, Karen Kerr told a crowd of Techstars Kansas City attendees. “Two things are happening,” Kerr, senior managing director with GE Ventures explained during a panel Thursday that explored the future of the robotics and manufacturing industries. “We’re able…

Mike Hurd with 2018 LaunchKC winners Boddle

LaunchKC earns honors of its own, must still keep hustling, KC eco devo leader says

Receiving the Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award proves the real market value for programs like LaunchKC, said Drew Solomon. The win has been energizing, said Solomon, senior vice president of business and job development at the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, which partners with the Downtown Council of Kansas City to make the program…

2018 LaunchKC winners

Meet the 2018 LaunchKC winners: $500,000 in grants awarded at Techweek finale

LaunchKC, the hotly anticipated annual pitch contest, capped Techweek Kansas City Friday by awarding a half-million dollars in non-dilutive grant funds to nine winning startups from among 20 finalists. An Atlanta company earned the day’s top prize. The finalist competitors — who beat out more than 586 applicants for a spot on this year’s stage —…

Techstars Demo Day

Canadian firm to house in KC, Techstars Demo Day announces other developments for cohort (Photos)

Local government has the most impact on people’s lives, said Ryley Iverson, co-founder and CEO of Townfolio, a Canada-based firm providing city data as a service that was among the 2018 Techstars Kansas City cohort. Townfolio announced a partnership with the Kansas City Area Development Council Thursday during the accelerator’s Demo Day: fuel the international firm…

Kirby Montgomery, TheraWe Connect, Pure Pitch Rally

Pure Pitch Rally passes $1 million in prizes; FastDemocracy and TheraWe lead winners

A quick-paced pitch competition Wednesday saw big wins for political tracking startup FastDemocracy and child therapy resource TheraWe Connect, with more than $1 million in prizes awarded between 10 young companies. “Our sponsors felt a funding head-rush like a speeding train — throwing money everywhere,” said Michael Williamson, an IP attorney for Polsinelli, one of…