Latest Stories
Stenovate lands first big investor; founder credits ‘stepping stones’ of KC startup resources
Hold your head high, be eager, and embrace the startup community that surrounds you, Lauren Lawrence said as the first outside investor calls on her Kansas City-filed tech startup, Stenovate. “The first person to really take a risk on you as an outside investor who’s not your mom and dad … they’re always a significant…
KCultivator Q&A: Kevin McGinnis talks Keystone innovation, best steaks in KC, the word he hates most
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. Years before his tenure as a Sprint executive-turned-startup leader, Kevin McGinnis was…
People’s Choice startup Bar K Dog Bar planning new locations across the Midwest (and beyond)
After less than a year serving Frisbees and drinks along Kansas City’s riverfront, Bar K Dog Bar has a treat for two other Midwest markets: plans to expand the premier pet experience space to St. Louis and Oklahoma City. “Our ultimate goal is to be in five markets in the next three years and 10…
US veterans-turned-founders find natural transition, freedom in life as entrepreneurs
Military service offers parallels to entrepreneurships — whether engaged in battle or a boardroom, said Andrew Belt. “One of the things that has always helped me in operating my business is my ability to analyze the environment and be vigilant,” said Belt, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and serial entrepreneur behind Lenexa-based property services firm…
Startup synergy: Native Hemp Co opening retail store in former downtown MADE flagship store
A grand adventure awaits Kansas City-baked Native Hemp Co., as the cannabis company reaches new heights and sets up shop with its first retail location. “I have a family all across the world now and it’s been so much fun,” Rich Dunfield, founder of Native Hemp Co., said of the company’s trajectory and success ahead…
iShare Medical working with VA, Medicare, Medicaid to improve patient outcomes, reduce cost of care
Medical errors shouldn’t be among the leading causes of death in a country as developed as the United States, said Linda Van Horn, especially when failure to communicate critical information across platforms is to blame. “It’s unacceptable to make mistakes, just because the information is not readily available to the provider, the doctor or the…
Railroad remedy: Fishtech-backed app could bring added efficiency to local transit system
What started out as a joke between coworkers at Fishtech Group, could solve a community-wide pain point in Martin City — and beyond, explained Michael Wilson. “Every single day there’d be a train come by, blowing its horn, interrupting us on conference calls and they would also make a lot of people late for meetings,”…
Q&A: Startup life isn’t all risk-taking and sexy, big-name investors, Kelly Sievers says
Investing doesn’t just hinge a dollar amount, said Kelly Sievers. “It’s also about finding the right kind of funding for your business,” the Women’s Capital Connection managing director told 26 small business owners at a recent Kansas City SCORE mentoring event. Sievers, an entrepreneurial advisor for the Women’s Business Center, has owned, operated and sold…
Cutting the card in a digital world? Behold the staying power of the analog business card
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Anyone remember Bump? You might not, but the ultra-popular app has about 125 million downloads since its debut in 2009. Free for both Android and iPhone, the app allowed you to instantly share your contact information by literally “bumping” your smartphones together in…
Perfect shots: KC lifestyle blogger launches Depalo app to guide users to Instagram hot spots
The perfect Instagram-worthy photo location could be within walking distance right now, said Kansas City-based lifestyle blogger Rebeeca Aneloski. A former Missouri representative on the Miss USA stage, Aneloski launched Depalo in June to help users locate picturesque locations across Kansas City — and eventually the globe, she said. “I [initially] started a blog to continue…
