Latest Stories
KC-based Make48 team films Season 3 at Baltimore makerspace
Editor’s note: Nick Ward-Bopp is a volunteer tool tech for Make48, and co-runs the MakerSpace at the Johnson County Library, helping the community use tools for digital fabrication like 3D printers and laser cutters. He spends his nights and weekends co-running Maker Village, a small wood and metal shop in Midtown Kansas City that builds…
Blake Miller’s ‘Future of Living’ podcast envisions a world changed by startups, tech, gig economy
The future is now, said Blake Miller, and it’s streaming. Kansas City IoT tech firm Homebase’s founder and CEO recently launched a podcast — “The Future of Living” — aimed at uncovering what tomorrow holds for startups, small businesses, and curious citizens alike, he explained. “You’ve got smart cities, you’ve got smart buildings — the…
‘First-of-its-kind’ AltCap investment pool aims to transform Kansas City’s urban blight
With more than 5,000 blighted homes and vacant lots, Kansas City’s urban core might soon see some help thanks to new AltCap investment pool. AltCap, a Kansas City-based community development financial institution, has partnered with Legal Aid of Western Missouri and Stinson Leonard Street to create a fund that’s focused on rehabilitation of housing in…
City asks: ‘What do we want to be when we grow up?’ Startups invited to answer Saturday, Tuesday
The startup community is a strong group the City of Kansas City, Missouri, should embrace — especially as it crafts local legislation and regulations that will shape the metro for generations, said Sarah Shipley. The Kansas City Startup Foundation board chair’s words come as KCMO officials organize a series of community work sessions, geared toward…
ScaleUP! KC announces eighth cohort of firms eyeing serious growth
The ScaleUP! Kansas City program has welcomed another large batch of growing companies hoping to accelerate their businesses. ScaleUP announced Wednesday that it accepted 17 Kansas City area companies into its ranks, offering the firms mentorship, resources and connections. The new cohort of entrepreneurs represent varied industries, such as IT, wellness, landscaping, education, architecture and…
Tech First: Bank’s new pitch event aims to connect investors, startup founders
Roots of growth and prosperity are being planted in Kansas City, furthering the advancement of the metro’s tech sector, said Rob Barker. “One of the biggest challenges for these tech companies is finding those investors to speak to,” said Barker, president – Kansas City Region of First Business Bank. First Business, locally based in Leawood,…
KCK business teacher re-imagines school space as student-led classroom coworking
Nobody’s going to tell you what to do here, Sheyvette Dinkens said passionately. The Wyandotte High School business teacher recently began transforming her space at school into classroom coworking. “I want students to be able to guide their own education,” she said. “I want to be able to facilitate their learning, and I want them…
GXPI-led $3.25M deal pushes Kansas City IoT firm Pepper over $15M investment mark
Pepper topped $15 million in investments this week — adding to its ownership structure through a sizeable deal led by GXPI, the investment arm of Evergy. “This strategic investment by Evergy gives us a great partner in the retail electric utility industry where IoT is beginning to play a critical role,” said Scott Ford, CEO…
Nearly $5M remains in Kansas angel tax credits as Aug 31 deadline looms; startups urged to apply
The clock is ticking for Kansas angel tax credits to be awarded to growing startups in 2018, said Rachèll Rowand. “We are looking for innovative businesses in Kansas that are under five years old,” said Rowand, program manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce, which administers the state’s angel tax program. “The biotechnology industry is…
Startland list reflects big wins across KC — but don’t get comfortable, warns founder
Kansas City has traction, said Davyeon Ross, but the city and its support network must keep the ball moving. “It’s impressive how much these startups and companies are contributing to the community and the economy,” said Ross co-founder and COO of ShotTracker, reacting to data within Startland’s 2018 list of Top Venture Capital-Backed Companies in…
