Startups Stories

Henry Kim, LG Electronics, Innovation Exchange

LG Electronics tech expert: Kansas City a smart home for corporate-startup collaboration (IXKC photos)

Tech industry giants see significant potential in the ideas being created in startup hubs like Kansas City, an LG Electronics leader told a crowd gathered this week at Homebase.  “A lot of startup companies can bring innovation to the front. Big companies like ours, sometimes we’re so busy that we lose track of that activity,”…

Photo by Jakob Owens Sharkoff shark bite survivor

5-year-old shark bite survivor returns to the ocean with help of SharkOFF wearable, founder says

A sweet taste of its do-good mission has Kansas City-based SharkOff eyeing new ideas, explained Shea Geist, recounting the tale of 5-year-old Violet Jalil’s journey back into the ocean.  “Several months ago we got a big order from [Violet’s mom,] Jessica [Veatch], and she commented when she put in her order, talking about her daughter…

Sarah Hill, StoryUp

StoryUp levels up again: KC-area VR startup secures spot at Apple camp for women-led tech

It’s the ultimate “nerdy” thing for tech entrepreneurs, Sarah Hill said as Columbia-based startup, StoryUP joins an Apple summer cohort — specifically designed to support women-led companies.  “To have direct communication, to troubleshoot in an area of media that’s difficult to create. It is valuable for us and we’re honored and we’re really excited about…

Scott Ford, Pepper

You’ll soon have 20+ smart devices in your home; How many will steal your data? 

Consumers of smart technology need to be wary of most of the lesser-known brands in retail stores, said Scott Ford. “Most likely they’re using a platform architecture that sits on a foreign market, sending your data to who knows where, without the protections that are common in the U.S,” said Ford, CEO of Pepper IoT,…

Quest Moffat, Project UK demo day 2018

Project UK earns $100K prize to help build out tech ecosystem, connected community

A $100,000 injection will position Project United Knowledge for growth that could further fill diversity and inclusion gaps in Kansas City’s tech ecosystem.   The accelerator program landed the investment as a winner of the Kapor Center’s $1 million Tech Done Right National Challenge, said Quest Moffat, head of innovation at Project UK.  Beyond financial support,…