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Events Preview: #OneDayKC

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 #OneDayKC When: April 1 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Where: Kauffman Foundation At #OneDayKC, college and high school students this day…

Kean Hong Kong

Kean: From Hong Kong to Kansas City, coffee’s the constant in startup life

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone.   My story began in 2012 as the startup scene in Kansas City was just blossoming. An ever-expanding group of motivated individuals from diverse backgrounds were launching awesome companies, and tech events were occurring more often and with bigger turnouts. When Matt Berkland…

Five years later: Google Fiber celebrates a Kansas City milestone

Five years ago today, the Kansas City area heard the news that it would receive a transformative, residential gigabit Internet service. Hundreds of cities lobbied to be the first to receive Google Fiber, but ultimately, Kansas City, Kan. won the highly-sought-after service. And the world learned that on March 30, 2011. Five years later, Google…

Mayor Sly James’ vision for Kansas City: Innovation and entrepreneurship

In an address to constituents Tuesday, Kansas City Mayor Sly James broadly painted his vision for Kansas City and outlined what success for the area would look like. And at the cornerstones of his ideas for the next decade? The future of Kansas City hinges upon innovation and entrepreneurship. “With Google Fiber and the smart,…

SparkLabKC nixes spring program, eyes management change

One of Kansas City’s top business accelerators is canceling its spring program amid a series of changes, including a potential management mixup. Founded in 2012, SparkLabKC will not be offering what would’ve been its fourth spring program as it evaluates its future. Through three separate classes, the organization has helped accelerate 30 area startups with…

We have liftoff! LaunchCode to boost Kansas City tech talent

About 3,500 tech firms need to fill 2,300 open positions in the Kansas City area, according to KCnext. Usually, that means businesses, both large and small, spar over the same people, snatching up programming talent wherever possible, including from their local neighbors. It makes for more than just awkward networking events among tech executives —…

Gooding: Narrow your focus to win on an exit

At the time it wasn’t quite so obvious, but now I realize that I was incredibly fortunate to spend the first part of my career in small-market mergers and acquisitions. Turns out it’s an arena where one can acquire an incredible depth and breadth of business knowledge. On an almost daily basis, I was learning…

OneDayKC competition to inspire future Kansas City entrepreneurs

A Kansas City competition is sowing the seeds of entrepreneurship in local youth by challenging high schoolers to launch a business in only one day. Now in its second year, OneDayKC will welcome a herd of Kansas City high schoolers to join teams and create a viable venture in 12 hours. After crafting a venture,…

Video: John Fein offers an update on the Sprint Accelerator

John Fein, Techstars managing director, chats with Startland News editor Bobby Burch about the accelerator’s 2016 class. Now in its third year, the accelerator this year has a broader focus on all mobile technologies, as opposed to only mobile health in previous years. The accelerator in March welcomed ten new companies to its three-month, mentor-led program,…

Events Preview: Happy Hour tonight, LaunchCode Liftoff

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 Amazon Web Services Happy Hour When: March 24 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Where: Village Square Coworking Studio Thirsty? Come enjoy…