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Two area startups still vying for $25K from the Kauffman Foundation

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation on Monday announced the top 15 finalists in the 1 in a Million pitch competition that are vying for a $25,000 grant — and two startups hail from the metro area. Kansas City-based The Grooming Project and Lawrence-based DraftPak both cracked the top 15 in the contest after beating out…

Fund me, KC: Hidden Abilities offers high-tech pen to topple dyslexia

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Hidden Abilities co-founders Payden and Jamee Miller — to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Back Hidden Abilities’ product here.  Who are you? Jamee Miller and Miller, co-founders of Hidden…

The Lean Lab fellows PledgeCents, Class Tracks win $25K

The Lean Lab’s education incubator program culminated Thursday evening with Launch[ED] Day, a demo day which saw two education startups walk away with $25,000 grants. Established in 2013, The Lean Lab seeks to build Kansas City into a world-leader in education innovation. The incubator’s five summer fellows each pitched their business at the demo day….

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Angel investment trends with the Angel Capital Association’s Marianne Hudson

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the commentary are the author’s alone.  Kansas City is known for the Royals, great barbecue and recently-acquired tech firm EyeVerify. But it is also home to the headquarters of the Angel Capital Association . From its inception, the Overland Park-based Angel Capital Association has been led by executive director…

Events Preview: Public Relations for Entrepreneurs

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 The Marketing Series: Public Relations for Entrepreneurs When: October 5 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Where: Sprint Accelerator Learn more about…

Meet Kansas City’s ‘data experts in coffee,’ PerfectCube

Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by LaunchKC but independently produced by Startland News. Kansas City’s flourishing independent coffee roaster market has brewed opportunity for a duo of entrepreneurs. Mark Calhoun and Jim Starcev co-founded the big data platform PerfectCube in 2015. And although the platform is a viable analytics solution for any retailer, the…

Joni Cobb and Pipeline took ‘a leap of faith’ that’s paying off

In 2006, Joni Cobb was busy coaxing Kansas business executives to apply for a program honing their leadership skills. Then a state-subsidized program, Pipeline would cultivate promising entrepreneurs that would tangentially grow the Sunflower State’s economy with their firms. Extolled as rigorous, the Pipeline sales pitch hit snags with its intensiveness and novelty. Skeptical entrepreneurs…

The Pipeline fellowship’s journey to the Emerald Isle in photos

In an educational adventure focused on finance and global business strategy, the Pipeline entrepreneurial fellowship program ventured across the pond for a week of relationship building. I tagged along not only to observe the experience — expect more on that front soon — but to capture some moments with my camera. This smattering of photos, which…

Kansas City startups flex pitch skills in national Kauffman contest

Four Kansas City area startups  — and one Lawrence, Kan. firm — have qualified to the top 40 of Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s 1 in a Million pitch competition. The competition offers those who have presented at 1 Million Cups in the last year a chance to snag a $25,000 prize. Hundreds of applicants — who…

Big Bang leverages smart city success, LaunchKC momentum

Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by LaunchKC but independently produced by Startland News. As Kansas City becomes a hotbed for smart city tech, one local startup is providing a spine for streamlined communication among the devices cities will leverage. Kansas City-based Big Bang’s Internet of Things software aims to work as the “central nervous…