Latest Stories
Listen: Experts analyze KC’s evolving coworking and real estate market
What happens when the real estate market responds to a city’s surging entrepreneurial community? That was the subject of Startland News and Think Big’s March Innovation Exchange, which focused on Kansas City’s coworking boom and its intersection with area entrepreneurship. More than 300,000 square feet of coworking space will become available in the area over…
Pear Deck raises $4M to accelerate its ed tech tool
Fast-growing ed tech firm Pear Deck has plucked a $4 million investment as it plans to expand the use of its student engagement platform. The Iowa City-based firm — which operates a sales and marketing office in Kansas City — raised the capital from Growth Street Partners and existing investors, including Village Capital, Hyde Park…
Olathe-based Metactive lands $1.5M, two medical patents
Olathe-based medical device company Metactive released a pair of positive announcements for the firm. In addition to being awarded two patents, the firm closed on a $1.5 million Series A funding round — bringing its total raised to over $9 million. The round was co-led by the Mid-America Angels and an unnamed investor. Previously, the firm…
Uber exec with KC ties resigns to explore Kansas politics
An Uber executive with strong ties to Kansas City has announced his resignation and return to Kansas. Uber announced Tuesday that Brian McClendon, vice president of maps and business platforms at Uber, would be stepping down from his post as he explores a life in Kansas politics. A University of Kansas graduate, McClendon in January…
Vetrepreneur event Purple Connection taking flight in KC
An event connecting veteran entrepreneurs is making waves in Kansas City. Led by the Veteran Leadership Network and other local organizations, the next the Purple Connection will be held April 12 at the GRID Collaborative Workspaces. Community organizer Jesse Beaudin said this is the third iteration of the event series, and he was surprised by…
Kauffman honoree examines impact of accelerators on an ecosystem
Over the years, Kansas City has found itself home to several business accelerator programs. From BetaBlox to the Sprint Accelerator, these programs have increased the vibrancy of the area entrepreneurial community in many ways. But recently Kansas Citians had the chance to learn first hand just how much their local network of accelerators have helped…
Events Preview: Innovation Exchange, 1 Billion Bits
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 an event relevant to Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community? Add it to the FWD/KC calendar for increased exposure. Once your…
Lean Lab leaders dissect recent politics spurring U.S. education engagement
Editor’s note: In partnership with the Wide Ruled podcast hosted by Brainroot Light and Sound, Startland News hopes to offer its audience more avenues to learn about innovators in Kansas City. Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Wide Ruled is a podcast on equality in education. Each episode showcases a struggle or…
Williams to critical Bloomberg piece: KC shouldn’t try to be Silicon Valley
Editor’s note: The following piece is in response to a Bloomberg article critical of the Kansas City Startup Village and Kansas City’s ability to use Google Fiber to become the “next Silicon Valley.” Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. In 2012, Kansas City experienced what at the time must have felt like winning…
KC Outpost, local charm lures hundreds of SXSW attendees
Kansas City made a splash at the SXSW Conference thanks to a concerted effort to engage thousands mingling in downtown Austin. Led by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, LaunchKC, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Husch Blackwell, the KC Outpost welcomed hundreds of people curious to learn more about the area. Featuring speakers,…
