Latest Stories
How the Kansas City Chiefs became the No. 1 NFL team in social engagement
Most Kansas City Chiefs fans are likely aware that they hold the Guinness World Record for the “loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium.” But what fans may not know is how that same enthusiasm and energy translates to the Kansas City Chiefs’ social media engagement. Using a variety of platforms, the team’s social media…
After 2014 departure, Lyft operations return to KCMO
Kansas Citians now have more ridesharing options than just Uber. After nearly a three year hiatus, the ride-sharing giant Lyft on Sunday re-launched its operations in Kansas City, Mo., including Kansas City International Airport. Lyft’s arrival represents more local competition among Uber and Lyft, and more choices for riders in Kansas City. Lyft already was…
Grietens seeks entrepreneurs’ input on how to make Missouri more innovative
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is seeking input from the Show Me State’s entrepreneurs, investors on how the state can foster more innovation. In June, Greitens launched a task force to spur startup activity and innovation in the State of Missouri. Over the past month, the Innovation Task Force hosted a handful of workshops throughout the…
Ex-detective, startup champion Donald Carter discusses mayoral run, priorities
Community builder and former detective at the Kansas City Police Department Donald Carter has announced his candidacy for mayor for Kansas City, Mo. In March, he made national headlines (and a Startland News headline) via a random act of kindness. Carter helped raise over $15,000 for Shajuana Mays, a young woman he met behind the…
Kansas City group aims to set world record for largest coworking event
The organization binding Kansas City’s coworking businesses hopes to set a world record for the largest single gathering of coworkers. Organized by the Kansas City Coworking Alliance, KC Coworking Day will gather hundreds of entrepreneurs, freelancers and others to set the coworking world record at Plexpod Westport Commons on Aug. 9. The event will also…
Fund Me, KC: Edcoda engages students with 3D adventure learning game
Editor’s note: Fund Me, KC is a series highlighting area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses via crowdfunding campaigns. If you or your startup is running a campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com Who are you? Clarence Tan, founder and CEO of Edcoda. What’s your product? Edcoda is an educational technology startup with the…
Events Preview: Writing a business plan, Code for KC
There are a plethora of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious community member — we recommend these upcoming events for you. Are you hosting a relevant community event? Feel free to add it to the FWD/KC calendar for increased exposure. Once your event…
LinkedIn like tool aims to address tech talent gap by connecting teachers, industry pros
Kansas City Tech Council and Blue Ocean Consulting have teamed together to create a software solution to address the talent gap in the tech industry. iSpeakSTEM.com is a proprietary software system that aims to build a bridge between the business and education communities. Launching in Kansas City classrooms this fall, the software connects teachers with…
VIDEO: Empowering at-risk women, Weave Gotcha Covered founder reflects on journey
About 10 years ago, Kelly Wilson’s family was one of the many that was hit hard by the Great Recession. A former stay at home mom, Wilson had to figure out a way to support her family. She eventually found a job at a local fabric store for $5 an hour, which was the minimum…
JE Dunn leads $500K round in smart apartment startup Homebase
A handful of Kansas City firms both large and small are partnering to advance smart home technologies. JE Dunn Construction Group and Sunflower Development Group have led at $500,000 investment round in Kansas City-based Homebase, a tech firm building an IoT smart apartment and building platform for multi-family properties. Will Winkler of PSW Real Estate,…
National conference series for digital entrepreneurs makes Kansas City debut
Hundreds of social media gurus, marketing professionals and online entrepreneurs will gather in Kansas City for a two-day conference that will feature talks from executives at Salesforce, AOL, LinkedIn and more. Organized by TechMedia, Digital Summit: Kansas City is part of a national conference series that has been connecting digital marketing professionals for ten years.…
Over 100 women will converge in KC for a weekend of coding and camaraderie
This coming weekend, Kansas City will host over 100 women coders from around the Midwest for an immersive, two-day workshop. The second annual workshop Django Girls is an international non-profit organization that is organized locally by Kansas City Women in Technology. The workshop will be held July 21 and 22 and attendees will build web…
KCultivator Q&A: Vivacious Jay Austin talks East KC, failure, Thomas Edison
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series we’re kicking off to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check out our features on Victor & Penny’s Erin McGrane, SEED Law’s Adrienne Haynes, Code Koalas’ Robert Manigold, Prep-KC CEO Susan Wally and community builder Donald Carter. In 2014, eager college student Jay Austin Googled the words…
In swan song, departing innovation official Kate Garman reflects on tenure with KCMO
Editor’s note: Kate Garman is the KCMO innovation analyst but will be departing this week for a new opportunity in Seattle. She wrote the following piece reflecting on her time with the city. I’ve had a desk at Kansas City Hall now for three years. Starting as an intern, and later joining the staff as…
Mayor James challenges area nonprofits on digital inclusion
Kansas City, Mo. digital inclusion nonprofits now have the opportunity to win free blazing-fast Google Fiber. On Monday, Kansas City Mayor Sly James launched the Google Fiber Community Connections Challenge, which will reward selected local non-profit who seeks to close the digital divide. The challenge is part of the city of Kansas City’s larger digital…
