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Techweek makes intro to Kansas City
It only seems fitting that bass-thumping techno music would introduce Kansas City’s most anticipated technology conference. National tech conference Techweek — which will be in Kansas City from Sept. 14 to Sept. 20 — made its official introduction into the Kansas City community Monday evening with a party at the Sprint Accelerator. After arriving in Kansas City only six hours earlier,…
KC hosting global animal health investor forum
The premier animal health innovation conference is coming to Kansas City. The KC Animal Health Corridor — an area animal health development organization — expects about 40 venture capital funds to attend the 2015 KC Animal Health Investment Forum, set for Sept 1. Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor, said that hundreds…
Who’s who of KC tech industry on Techweek 100 list
If you’ve ever worked in the Kansas City tech industry, chances are you know dozens of the faces appearing on the Techweek 100 list. Featuring such figures as Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure and Think Big Partners Managing Director Herb Sih, the list “identifies leaders who have made a significant impact on the technology and innovation…
Lacking a cybersecurity plan is costing you clients
Apprameya Iyengar is a technology and securities attorney with Polsinelli PC. His work focuses on commercial technology needs, ranging from small and mid-cap emerging companies to Fortune 500 companies. For technology startups, maintaining strong security controls remains vital to winning new business opportunities and strengthening existing relationships. Despite the global spike in cybersecurity attacks — there…
Education innovation puts KC on the map
Kansas City and education don’t always receive positive press, but this week, the tides have changed. Kansas City is one of 27 “education innovation clusters” worldwide recognized by digital publication Education Week. Included for multi-district efforts to improve education, Kansas City was recognized by Education Week in particular for partnerships among the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Think…
Events Preview: Forward to the Future, Brews & Big Ideas
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Disruption Institute Demo Day When: August 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Where: The Disruption Institute This Kansas City code school is…
What’s a ‘smart city’ and why should KC care?
Aaron Deacon, managing director of KC Digital Drive, was instrumental in forming the Kansas City area’s Digital Playbook in 2012, which aimed to capitalize on the opportunity afforded by Google Fiber. His organization works on tech projects to boost Kansas City’s economy and is hosting a fundraising bash to further that mission. Smart phones. Smart…
[Updated] Fantasy football analytics startup launches hilarious crowdfunding campaign
Kansas City-based Edge Up Sports launched a crowdfunding campaign Wednesday to support its platform providing fantasy football players insight on their picks. With CEO Ilya Tabakh in full pads, Edge Up’s Kickstarter campaign video tackles the playful aspects of fantasy football — trash-talking, devastating losses and rowdy fans — to appeal to would-be backers. The…
Google Fiber opens business, consumer signups in Olathe
Google on Tuesday opened signups for Google Fiber throughout eastern Olathe. Residents and businesses of 13 “fiberhoods” can signup now through Sept. 24 for Google Fiber’s services, which include Gigabit, Gigabit + TV, Basic Internet or the small business service. The company Google Fiber launched their small business service in Kansas City in 2014. With…
TEDx ‘breaks through’ in Wyandotte County
This year, TEDxWyandotte seeks to break down barriers in their urban community. Wyandotte County, Kan., a community known for its diversity and urban challenges, is currently in a state of transition. The county as a whole is working towards neighborhood and school improvements, ultimately hoping to claim a new position in the Kansas City metropolitan.…
KC firm Handy Camel raising $600K for invention workshop
What do sheep farming and innovation have to do with one another? Quite a lot, if North Kansas City-based Handy Camel is any indication. Since he was a boy, Handy Camel CEO Tom Gray has fostered an innovative ethos, creating a number of doodads to make his work easier as a sheep farmer in New Zealand.…
Rawxies founder: ‘I didn’t give up’ on fundraising in KC
Vegan snack manufacturer Rawxies is en route to closing a funding round that will significantly increase its production. The Kansas City-based company has now raised $512,000 of its seed round, which will boost manufacturing of its raw, vegan snacks by roughly 400 percent. Investors thus far include England’s family, Liz and Brian Kelly, the Women’s…
Meet KC’s Cisco Smart City leaders
Kansas City Mayor Sly James announced on Friday 11 people to serve on the city’s Smart City Advisory Board. With a mixture of corporate, non-profit and civic experience, the board will manage and guide policies for Kansas City’s public-private Smart City project. Announced in the summer of 2014, the project will turn downtown into a…
ClaimKit’s Cheatham: listening scored big business
Adaptability is a cornerstone of launching a successful business. Without that — and a willingness to listen — ClaimKit CEO Chris Cheatham said he would’ve been pursuing a much smaller market with his company’s tech product. ClaimKit, which created a document management system for insurance claims professionals, recently pivoted its model to create a collaborative…
Some like it hot: KC named top startup town
You’re hot, Kansas City, and it’s not just your sweltering summer heat. Entrepreneur Magazine recently named Kansas City — Mo. and Kan. — as one of nine “hot startup cities” that are outside of San Francisco and New York City. Although Kansas City is also known for its tech prowess, the magazine largely noted the…
