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.
Digital Sandbox partners with Olathe to lift startups
Business incubator Digital Sandbox KC is widening its reach to suburban Kansas City. Digital Sandbox is partnering with the City of Olathe, Kan., to help launch businesses and boost entrepreneurship with its proof-of-concept model. The organization invests up to $25,000 in businesses for specific projects that help them secure additional funding. “Digital Sandbox has done…
FCC commissioner Ajit Pai visits with local entrepreneurs
In a reunion trip to Kansas City, a federal communications official visited with entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss the effects of high-speed Internet access in the area. Ajit Pai, a commissioner with the Federal Communications Commission, stopped by the Kansas City Startup Village Thursday on a tour to gain more information on broadband expansion…
New focus at Sprint Accelerator hopes to lure local firms
Now wrapped up with its second startup class, the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator has begun prepping for its new mission in 2016. Instead of focusing specifically on mobile health technologies, the Techstars-led accelerator will broadly welcome startups in all mobile technology. The Kansas City-based accelerator welcomes about 10 startups each year from around the world…
Kansas City sculpts new program to fund artists
The City of Kansas City, Mo., is putting its money where its mouth is in support of local artists. Moving forward, artists will be eligible to receive funding through a micro-lending program, piloting to support the growth and stability of their creative practice. Created through a collaboration between the city, the Economic Development Corporation of…
St. Louis tech group expanding to KC
A St. Louis tech organization is using its recent funding award to expand its operations into Kansas City. LaunchCode, a nonprofit organization that helps with job placement in technology, received a $250,000 award Wednesday from the Missouri Technology Corporation that will help it expand to cities across Missouri, including Kansas City. “MTC’s support will be…
Events Preview: ECJC, America Hack night
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 ECJC Summer Venture Lounge When: Wednesday, July 8 @ 4:30 PM-6:30 PM Where: Enterprise Center of Johnson County Investors, entrepreneurs and…