Redbud VC drops $25M Fund II in its attempt to ‘out-hustle the market’ for top talent, Midwest unicorns
A new $25 million fund for Columbia-based Redbud VC is expected to help identify and develop top-tier, pre-seed innovators before they head to the coasts to find more abundant capital, said Brett Calhoun. “There isn’t an underground hacker house pumping out unicorn founders,” said Calhoun, general partner at Redbud VC, in a blog post. “The…
Read MoreThai Orchid expansion blossoms; new restaurant coming to emerging foodie destination
It’s time to bring Thai Orchid’s homecooking, well … home, said second-generation owner Jonathan Rojjanasrirat, teasing the October opening of a new Shawnee location for his family-owned, street food-inspired restaurant in a thriving entertainment district. “We live in Shawnee. We’ve always loved the energy in the downtown area. With so many great spots, it’s become…
Read MoreReport: Kansas lawmakers tasking AI chatbots in the Statehouse (with no checks on responsible use)
Editor’s note: The following story was published by the Kansas News Service and KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. The Kansas News Service interviewed lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about their use of…
Read MoreKeystone Angels takes wing with emerging leader; next up: saving startups from the valley of death
A familiar face in Kansas City’s business ecosystem is stepping into a leadership role aimed at tackling one of the biggest challenges facing local startup founders: access to early-stage funding. In February, Regina Sosa Valdovinos launched into a newly-developed director position at Keystone Angels, an angel investment network focused on connecting founders with investors across…
Read MoreBest AI strategy for your business: Make it Midwest practical, says startup duo reunited after DEG exit
For many companies racing to adopt artificial intelligence, the biggest challenge isn’t the technology; It’s knowing where to begin, said Neal Sharma, whose new venture alongside Craig Sizemore aims to turn AI hype into real business value. “Everyone knows they need to do something,” said Sharma, executive chairman and co-founder of Kansas City-based STEPS Consulting.…
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