Discover the stories shaping the future of Kansas City.
From emerging startups to the people making headlines, catch up on the latest in entrepreneurship and innovation across Greater Kansas City.
Homeowners need a handbook for maintenance, founders say; their app puts to-do’s in the past
Tanuj and Rupal Gupta are taking what they know about preventative care from their medical backgrounds and applying it to homeownership, the husband-and-wife duo shared.
Speed pitch event accelerates founder funding IQ; venture capital isn’t always the right move, investors say
During the event, more than a dozen entrepreneurs rotated through small pods of investors for eight-minute conversations: one minute for the founder to lay out the company and opportunity and seven minutes for investor questions, feedback, and discussion.
How are founders building faster with less? MidxMidwest match-making earns credit alongside AI
When Scott Coons scaled his company into a $650 million global business with more than 3,000 employees worldwide, the Perceptive Software founder felt like he had to do it alone, Coons told a crowd Thursday at MidxMidwest.
Rock Island Bridge adding OneKC Roof branding as eco devo leaders celebrate 50 years of wins
A high-profile addition to one of Kansas City’s most popular new destinations is more than a marker of KCADC’s half-century anniversary, David Campbell said; the OneKC branding atop Rock Island Bridge showcases shared identity, economic strength and regional partnerships.
Rebecca Gubbels promoted to top ECJC exec role after years shaping efforts to boost entrepreneurs
A longtime entrepreneurship and banking advisor is advancing to the top leadership position at the Enterprise Center in Johnson County, succeeding Jeff Shackelford, who will retire as president and CEO by the end of the year.
Full Scale built growth, loyalty around cheaper overseas tech talent; Go inside its offshoring experiment
Full Scale developers earn unusually high incomes relative to the Philippine economy, founder Matt Watson said, creating opportunities that would otherwise be difficult for many workers there to access. That’s a convenient trade for an American CEO whose business benefits from the gap between overseas and US employees.
French company bringing 100 jobs to KC for sustainable autotech facility in Riverside
A new Kansas City-area operation is expected to grow OPmobility’s North American manufacturing footprint while strengthening its ability to serve customers across the Midwest and broader U.S. market, regional and company leaders said Tuesday.
KC hosting global animal health investor forum
The premier animal health innovation conference is coming to Kansas City. The KC Animal Health Corridor — an area animal health development organization — expects about 40 venture capital funds to attend the 2015 KC Animal Health Investment Forum, set for Sept 1. Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor, said that hundreds…
Who’s who of KC tech industry on Techweek 100 list
If you’ve ever worked in the Kansas City tech industry, chances are you know dozens of the faces appearing on the Techweek 100 list. Featuring such figures as Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure and Think Big Partners Managing Director Herb Sih, the list “identifies leaders who have made a significant impact on the technology and innovation…
Lacking a cybersecurity plan is costing you clients
Apprameya Iyengar is a technology and securities attorney with Polsinelli PC. His work focuses on commercial technology needs, ranging from small and mid-cap emerging companies to Fortune 500 companies. For technology startups, maintaining strong security controls remains vital to winning new business opportunities and strengthening existing relationships. Despite the global spike in cybersecurity attacks — there…
Education innovation puts KC on the map
Kansas City and education don’t always receive positive press, but this week, the tides have changed. Kansas City is one of 27 “education innovation clusters” worldwide recognized by digital publication Education Week. Included for multi-district efforts to improve education, Kansas City was recognized by Education Week in particular for partnerships among the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Think…
Events Preview: Forward to the Future, Brews & Big Ideas
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 Disruption Institute Demo Day When: August 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Where: The Disruption Institute This Kansas City code school is…
What’s a ‘smart city’ and why should KC care?
Aaron Deacon, managing director of KC Digital Drive, was instrumental in forming the Kansas City area’s Digital Playbook in 2012, which aimed to capitalize on the opportunity afforded by Google Fiber. His organization works on tech projects to boost Kansas City’s economy and is hosting a fundraising bash to further that mission. Smart phones. Smart…