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Listen: Leaders analyze KC’s entrepreneurial milestones, assess challenges
To say that Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community has matured in the last 15 years would be an understatement. Many leaders say that if you lived in the metro during the early 2000s and were to return now, you may not even recognize the place. Taking a moment to reflect on how far Kansas City has…
Rush, Reardon, Cobb and other entrepreneurial leaders analyze KC ecosystem growth
In 2012, Google Fiber’s arrival in Kansas City lit a fire under the backside of many community leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs. To say that the city has matured would be an understatement. Many leaders say that if you lived in Kansas City in the early 2000s and were to return now, you may not even…
Digital Sandbox expands to St. Joseph, partners with animal health incubator
Digital Sandbox KC will expand its efforts northwest to reach entrepreneurs in St. Joseph, Mo. The proof-of-concept program announced Wednesday that it has established a partnership with Innovation Stockyard, a St. Joseph-based animal science business incubator. Located inside the Christopher S. Kit Bond Incubator, Innovation Stockyard will offer grant recipients of Digital Sandbox office space…
Kansas Citian wins Missouri State Star for her business counseling
On Monday, a Kansas Citian was recognized by America’s Small Business Development Center as the State of Missouri’s most outstanding business counselor. Thanks to her contributions to the region’s business growth, Rebecca Gubbels was named the 2017 Missouri State Star. Gubbels is a business and program consultant at the University of Missouri–Kansas City’s Small Business…
KCRise Fund backs five more KC-area tech startups
Spurring engagement from dozens of area investors, the KCRise Fund has announced five new funding deals in area firms. Launched in 2016 in conjunction with the regional KC Rising economic initiative, the KCRise Fund has added ShotTracker, SMRxT, SquareOffs, Backlot Cars, and Bardavon Health Innovations to its portfolio of now 10 firms. The fund did…
Report: KC artists have spurred hundreds of millions for the region
It’s no secret that art has an impact on the heart and soul. But in Kansas City, art also has a significant impact on the economy. The art industry added a total of $276 million to the metro’s economy in 2015. The figure is a slight increase from the 2010 figure, according to a report…
Three KC startups are finalists in national WeWork competition
Three Kansas City-area firms are among the finalists in a national startup competition that could earn them significant prize money. Venture Legal, Bungii and Cambrian are the three area startups that beat out more than 2,000 other applicants to earn one of 30 spots in WeWork’s Creator Awards’ South Regional Final on June 27. WeWork…
Greitens creates Innovation Task Force to accelerate Missouri startup growth
On Monday, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens launched a task force to spur startup activity and innovation in the State of Missouri. The governor’s Innovation Task Force will give an overall assessment of innovation in the Show Me State, analyze other states to glean best practices and develop specific recommendations. “While Missouri has emerged as a…
Events Preview: Innovation Exchange, E Day at the K
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…
Networking with water balloons? Startup Games returns to Liberty Memorial lawn
With its official kickoff Friday morning, 1Week KC is returning in 2017 with an event to challenge area professionals with a variety of yard games near the Liberty Memorial. Presented by area recreation league KC Crew, the Startup Games are a relay-type competition in which participants are randomly broken up into teams and separated from…
