Latest Stories
LaunchKC grants contest to offer $100K grand prize in 2017
Kansas City’s popular grants competition LaunchKC has raised the stakes for applicants in 2017. Instead of allocating $500,000 via 10 equally-sized grants, LaunchKC will dish out eight awards of $50,000 and one $100,000 grand prize. In 2016, LaunchKC drew more than 400 tech startup applicants for the second year in a row. Applications open on…
Three tips to landing in the Techstars KC accelerator
Techstars new local accelerator is on the lookout for ten tech companies to join the Kansas City accelerator’s inaugural class. In an effort to cull suitable applicants, Techstars KC managing director Lesa Mitchell recently shared some of the top traits the program is looking for in companies. “The Techstars team in Kansas City is…
Photo gallery: Pipeline pitches and the Innovators gala
Pipeline Entrepreneurs celebrated 10 years in style Thursday at the Midland Theater. Check out this photo gallery of the organization’s pitch contest and gala. For more: Here’s a feature story on the gala. Here’s a news story on the award winners. Here’s more background on the organization and its leader, Joni Cobb.
Glitter and gratitude: Pipeline celebrates a decade of family in style
Glitz and glam; bold and gold; audacious and, more than ever, gracious. Each January, powerhouse businesspeople from around the Midwest venture to Kansas City to see if Pipeline Entrepreneurs can once again top its enchanting evening of entrepreneurial energy, now known as the Innovators. Hosted at the Midland Theater, the gala is a veritable smorgasbord…
Pipeline recognizes the Innovator of The Year, announces 2017 class
St. Louis entrepreneur Michelle Faits was dubbed Pipeline Entrepreneurs’ Innovator of the Year at last night’s culminating event, The Innovators. Faits is the founder of Pro-Arc Diagnostics — a medical startup that is developing a next-generation laboratory test for patients at risk of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) which is caused by the John Cunningham Virus….
How Kansas City’s accelerators are fueling area innovation
In partnership with Think Big Partners, the Innovation Exchange offers Kansas Citians context and behind-the-scenes details on newsmakers in the area entrepreneurial ecosystem. This month, area leaders — including the Techstars Kansas city managing director Lesa Mitchell — discussed the impact that accelerators have on the metro’s entrepreneurial community. If you missed the event, you…
Events Preview: Pipeline’s Innovator of the Year, Rise Fast Summit
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. Weekly Events Preview Innovation Exchange When: Jan. 24, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Where: Think Big Coworking *** This month, Startland editor…
Chris Brown: What entrepreneurs should know about trademark law
Editor’s Note: In this post, Chris Brown explores the core aspects of trademark law that every entrepreneur should know. Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. This article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Readers with legal questions should consult an attorney. Trademarks protect your name/logo A trademark is any name, logo,…
With KC expansion set, EquipmentShare raises $28.4M
A firm that’s planning to open a Kansas City tech office snagged millions in equity financing for its platform touted as the “Airbnb for construction equipment.” Based in Columbia, Mo., EquipmentShare raised about $28.4 in a Series B round that will accelerate its expansion to major metros around the nation, according to a filing with…
New FCC chairman Ajit Pai is familiar with KC startup community
A native Kansan that recently visited with the area’s entrepreneurial community will now head the Federal Communications Commission. President Donald Trump selected Ajit Pai, the senior Republican on the FCC to lead the commission, which regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. “I am deeply grateful to the President of…
