A night for knock-outs: Pipeline gala adds glitz to the hard-fought battles of entrepreneurship (Photos)
Midwest means resilience, Melissa Vincent told a black-tie crowd of entrepreneurs gathered Friday evening in the Grand Hall at Union Station, ultimately sharing the stage with not one, but two Innovator of the Year honorees. “When they get knocked down, knocked out, they get back up and they stay in the ring,” continued Vincent, CEO…
Read MoreTopeka startup hub launches diverse entrepreneur community (with fintech help on loan from KC’s Cyphr)
TOPEKA — An initiative aimed at boosting early to mid-stage entrepreneur development in the heart of Kansas launched Friday, said Michael Odupitan, noting the effort by Topeka-based Omni Circle to redefine the startup journey — and who’s allowed to join it — comes with a Kansas City assist. “Omni’s goal is to unite and strengthen…
Read MoreHow an east side community garden gives Ruby Jean’s namesake her storybook ending as juice brand goes national with Whole Foods
While market expansion for Ruby Jean’s harvests the big headlines, Chris Goode’s grassroots health initiatives are staying firmly planted in Kansas City’s east side, the juice brand’s founder said — announcing plans to launch a one-acre community garden this spring on Wabash Avenue. Budding out just blocks from where Goode grew up, the Ruby Jean’s…
Read MoreWhy perfect timing beats perfect products — every time
Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Serial entrepreneur and three-peat exited founder Matt Watson is the host of Product Driven and co-founder of Full Scale, a global staffing company. Click here to subscribe to the free Product Driven newsletter. Have you ever noticed how many “revolutionary” products actually weren’t the…
Read MoreKauffman-backed tech coalition gains runway (and funding) to help fill KC’s talent pipeline, leader says
A new talent-focused coalition led by the KC Tech Council envisions a reality where all of Kansas City’s tech jobs can be filled by Kansas City, said Kara Lowe, unveiling new details of an initiative made possible by the Kauffman Foundation’s new “Collective Impact” funding pathway. KC Tech Council on Friday publicly announced its employer-led…
Read More