Latest Stories
Tech pioneer Don Peterson to guide new LaunchKC-Nueterra health accelerator
Leading the new LaunchKC Health Accelerator is Don Peterson’s way of giving back to a community that opened its arms to his family nearly 30 years ago, he said. “I’m proof that we can accomplish the entrepreneurial dream right here in KC and feel like it’s my duty to pay that forward,” said Peterson, a…
MoCannaHub lights up information prohibition; launches cannabis resource-finding app
Rolled in entrepreneurial opportunity, tech companies shouldn’t be afraid to take a hit of the growing marketplace that is cannabis, said Andrew Ellis, explaining the methodology behind MoCannaHub — the app that connects curious consumers with experts and information of various strains. “Some of the platforms out there are banning cannabis-related content,” explained Ellis, president…
InnovateHER KC founder leaving KCSF as womxn’s community-building startup scales
It’s time to set InnovateHER KC on the path to long-term growth, said Lauren Conaway, announcing her plans to leave the Kansas City Startup Foundation in early July to lead the womxn-focused startup full-time. “InnovateHER KC’s No. 1 priority right now is building out our community with intention,” said Conaway, founder of InnovateHER KC and…
Photos: Sprint Accelerator leaders salute former managing director at demo day
Gratitude powered down the sixth cohort of the Sprint and Dairy Farmers of America-backed Corporate Accelerator Thursday. “I do have one more person that I need to acknowledge and that person is Doug Dresslear,” Tina Peterson, manager of the Sprint Accelerator, told a packed crowd at the National World War 1 museum’s J.C. Nichols Auditorium. …
LaunchKC, Nueterra Capital announce health accelerator with $50K, plus resources for each startup in cohort
Adding its third vertical in less than a year, LaunchKC will expand its grant opportunities deployment with the new LaunchKC Health Accelerator aimed at improving patient outcomes, the program announced Thursday. “LaunchKC continues to see momentum, headed into its fifth year, having invested over $2 million in cash grants to attract or retain 38 tech…
Trust yourself and make your own everything: Hear the artist hustle of Amado Espinoza
Whether directing a contemporary indigenous stage performance, covering the Beatles classic Elanor Rigby with a pan flute and charango for TEDxKC or creating a diatonically-tuned bendy-straw, Amado Espinoza understands the importance of fully committing to a pursuit. “For me, being a professional musician means when you dedicate your entire life to music,” he said. A…
Food delivery giants are eating up restaurant profits; KC startups add survival back to the menu
Ordering a meal at the press of a button is convenient for customers, but behind-the-scenes deals with the delivery giants that made on-demand food popular are running some independently owned restaurants out of business, said Vincent Son. “We’re not making a dime,” said Son, owner of China Feast in River Market, which uses five different…
Hometown startup launches Swappa Local in KC, trading tech junk sellers for secure deals
A firsthand experience with a mysterious Craigslist seller served as fuel for Kansas City-listed startup Swappa’s latest innovation of the local marketplace: Swappa Local. “I exchanged money with the seller, we both drove off, leaving the parking lot at the same time,” recalled Ben Edwards, Swappa founder and CEO. “We ended up stopped at the…
Take a seat: How do Bird’s new Cruisers fit into KCMO’s approach to disruptive innovation?
With a cushioned seat for two, the new Bird Cruiser’s potential arrival in Kansas City this summer would ride within KCMO’s approach to emerging technologies and disruptive business models. Featuring 20-inch wheels, the electric Cruisers travel uphill in areas like Kansas City’s downtown with ease, according to Bird, and are a new take on the…
Latest Digital Sandbox startups: Connecting solutions on climate change, supply chain, child therapy and voter education
Four new companies welcomed this week into the fold at Digital Sandbox KC help showcase the ongoing success of the 6-year-old proof-of-concept program, said Jeff Shackelford. “We’ve now provided project development funding for 118 area startups, and this group has raised over $70 million in add-on investment and created nearly 700 new area jobs,” said…
