Latest Stories
Brian Kearns soothes intern trepidation with these 4 tips
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Last year I got involved with MECA Challenge, a one-day student innovation competition. As part of the event, I presented high schoolers with a business problem my startup was currently tackling. I went in without expectations and was pleasantly surprised when my group…
Conner Hazelrigg’s Sunshine Box lights up the dark in Haiti
Conner Hazelrigg, 23, never considered herself an entrepreneur. A few years ago, she was a student at William Jewell College, keeping herself busy playing tennis and basketball, and working towards a double major in physics and math. “I always wanted to do something with engineering and architecture — I loved science,” Hazelrigg said. “But I…
Coty Beasley addresses ‘the Singularity’ and our impending doom
Editor’s note: On a daily basis, Coty Beasley translates the jargon-filled world of technology for clients of his tech consultancy. The Words that Frustrate (WTF) series aims to offer readers some clarity in an industry dominated by techies’ confusing argot. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Let’s start with a mind experiment:…
KC Crew Riverfront project casts Millenial net with sand volleyball, kickball
A new recreation sports complex is part of a series of developments along Berkley Riverfront Park that hope to attract more Millennials to downtown Kansas City. Kansas City-based rec sports league KC Crew has partnered with Port KC to open six sand volleyball courts and two kickball fields toward the east end of the park,…
Unplugged: 9 days in the wilderness taught me boundaries
The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Hello, my name is Larissa Uredi, and I have a genetic predisposition to workaholism. When I was a kid, my dad wasn’t home much. Growing his construction company demanded long hours in the office and most of his focus. It was his greatest passion and…
What the Flokk? Startup to connect residents with area events
For Trey Rhedrick, the alarm sounds at 5 a.m. He rises before the sun to work at Black & Veatch as a chemical engineer project manager. When finished at 5 p.m., Rhedrick conducts a couple meetings for his other gig before heading home to snarf down dinner. For the next six to eight hours —…
Sprint Accelerator graduate acquired by medical giant
A large California-based health care provider recently announced that it acquired Medicast, a graduate of the Kansas City-based Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator program. Providence St. Joseph Health purchased the firm for an undisclosed amount for its logistics and management platform that automates remote care delivery. In 2014, Medicast participated in the inaugural, three-month program at…
Jon Kohrs unpacks the cultural traffic jam in ‘corporate startups,’ intrapreneurship
Editor’s note: Jon Kohrs is the leader of two corporate startup teams, driving innovation and intrapreneurship at Damascus Edge. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. There are several established Kansas City companies “going startup.” Faced with startup competitors disrupting their industries, they’ve had to ask themselves how to remix the power of…
Uber finds KCMO’s proposed ride-sharing regulations ‘troubling’
In a move that will likely reignite lively discussions among government, businesses and residents, the City of Kansas City, Mo. is now considering changes to its ride-sharing regulations for companies like Uber. By directive of the Kansas City Council, city officials are reviewing rules drafted in April of 2015 that aim to ensure public safety…
What do 1 Million Cups presenters reveal about KC’s entrepreneurial community?
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Every Wednesday morning in Kansas City and 91 other cities nationwide, one or two early-stage startups present a six-minute profile of their companies to a diverse audience, followed by 20 minutes of open Q&A. I recently reviewed 51 presentations delivered at 1 Million Cups…
