Explore perspectives on the issues impacting business in Kansas City.
Hear from local entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders as they share insights and commentary on topics impacting business and innovation.
The TAM Scam: Why the next economy won’t need your pitch deck’s market-size slide
For most of modern business history, directly observing economic activity was slow, expensive, or impossible. We developed proxies to compress uncertainty into numbers that executives, lenders, and investors could use. But as technology makes economic activity more observable, the proxies we built for an earlier era become harder to defend.
I was wrong about sports: Why KC’s ‘escape velocity’ keeps pointing back to 18th and Vine
Sports, music, and barbecue are not three separate Kansas City brands, writes urbanist and entrepreneur Kemet Coleman. “They are one story, and it starts at 18th and Vine,” the Vine Street Brewing co-founder explained.
300 pitches later, GIFT founder offers a cheat sheet for selling your vision (hint: it starts with the pitch deck)
“What does your business do? Tell me directly, clearly, and avoid unnecessary fluff,” writes Brandon Calloway in an open letter to entrepreneurs. “As someone making a snap judgment about your business, I need to quickly understand what it offers.”
Smart glasses at work: How employers using (or banning) the tech could face legal challenges
AI-enabled smart glasses take a step further than the traditional “body camera” surveillance footage, given the technology’s ability to retain and assess information, such as biometric information. That creates new concerns for employers who might want to implement the devices — or even keep them out of the workplace altogether, writes a team of attorneys from Polsinelli.
Missouri founders need rules for crypto, digital assets that protect infrastructure and consumers, advocate says
Congress should act quickly, writes Ryan Wright. If the United States waits too long, other countries will continue setting the standards for digital assets, AI provenance, and the next generation of financial infrastructure. Missouri should not be left reacting to that future. We should help build it.
Royals chose Crown Center; KC now must decide how 18th & Vine stays in the game
The Royals ballpark announcement was still eye-opening, because moments like this reveal what a city is actually willing to organize itself around, writes Kemet Coleman.
How can 90 days fix 18 months of revenue? Make trust and consistency your currency
Many leaders start buying marketing the same way they buy any other solution .. one need at a time. It’s not uncommon for one company to have a web vendor, a PR partner, a graphic designer, an email vendor, and so on. The hire is based on need, not strategy; and the real cost shows up in places most leadership teams don’t calculate.
Crema co-founder Dan Linhart: Effective company culture is more than just beer on tap
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the commentary are the author’s alone. Collaborating with a team is the most rewarding aspect of my work. There is just something awesome about doing great work with individuals that are diverse in skill and perspective and are aligned with the purpose behind the endeavor. Getting to that point,…
Angel investment trends with the Angel Capital Association’s Marianne Hudson
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the commentary are the author’s alone. Kansas City is known for the Royals, great barbecue and recently-acquired tech firm EyeVerify. But it is also home to the headquarters of the Angel Capital Association . From its inception, the Overland Park-based Angel Capital Association has been led by executive director…
Juan Campos offers ‘growth-hacking’ tips for small businesses’ Instagram
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Two years ago, my business hit a plateau in social media audience growth. I didn’t know how to grow my exposure and was spending thousands of dollars each year on social media managers. The thesis was solid: social media growth would bring more…
Coty Beasley: Digital divides threaten Kansas City’s future
Editor’s note: On a daily basis, Coty Beasley translates the jargon-filled world of technology for clients. The Words that Frustrate (WTF) series aims to offer readers some clarity in an industry dominated by techies’ confusing argot. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. By reading this article, you may be one of…
Readers dub Kansas City’s top spots for coffee meetings
“Let’s grab coffee.” It’s a universal phrase in the world of business that can lead to friendship, a deal or even a new company. And with coffee serving as a global binding agent for businesspeople, Startland News wanted to figure out where Kansas Citians are most likely to convene to catch up. We surveyed more…
Shaping the sharing economy: Women in coworking
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. High-growth, share-based startups — like Airbnb and Uber — are transforming the hospitality and transportation industries. The sharing economy is also fundamentally changing how people work. From corporate professionals to entrepreneurs, coworking is rapidly becoming a viable alternative to offices and cubicles….