&tag you’re it: Digital ID aims to give back people’s control over their data, attention
A Kansas City-built digital identity platform is launching streamlining technology to tackle what its founders see as a fundamental flaw of the world wide web: it was optimized for clicks, but never designed for the humans who use it. “Identity was left out of the Internet,” said Aaron Sloup, co-founder of The & Company, alongside…
Read MoreIt’s ‘the place that everyone wants to be’: Why Techstars could be back in KC for more than just hugs
Five years after Techstars left Kansas City, the global startup accelerator’s co-founder and CEO teased a comeback for the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. “We’re going to try to figure out how to continue to be a part of the Kansas City startup community,” David Cohen told a crowd of founders, investors, advocates, and Techstars alumni Thursday…
Read MoreBrick by brick, new memories are moving in: How this developer sees his generation living amid KC’s past
Whether it’s the $38 million overhaul of an iconic downtown Kansas City hotel, or reheating the future of an East Crossroads industrial space — think 8,000-square-foot rooftop bar atop a no-nonsense social club — Zach Molzer is building buzz, and tearing down walls. “We’re young, with just the right amount of crazy in us to…
Read MoreHack in traction: Startups learn hustle shortcode for winning customers, narrow focus
Drilling into the customer profile for his startup — an AI-powered, curated swag marketplace aimed at early stage tech companies — Ivan Hadzhiev used tailored resources from Wichita-based NXTUS to validate a complaint keeping prospective partners from buying in. In short, a lot of options — even for custom, branded merchandise — isn’t necessarily a…
Read MoreKitchen grit caramelizes into smooth storefront opportunity for soon-to-open candy shop
The secret ingredient in Brandi Robertson’s signature sweet — a handcrafted take on her Grandmother Betty’s caramel dessert topping — isn’t found in the pantry or recipe box. Perseverance itself is the perfection within her confection, she said. “If you are going to waste calories, it better be good,” said Robertson, who spent nearly a…
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