How Polsinelli stepped onto the national stage without walking away from its KC roots
“We’re not just a national law firm that happens to have an office in Kansas City,” said Greg Kratofil. “We’ve been helping build this city’s technology ecosystem for decades while also building a national practice capable of representing some of the most innovative companies in the world.”
GEWKC returns to Union Station with maker fair, packed lineup of startup, small biz speakers
“Every year, we think we can’t possibly top the previous year; and yet every year, our attendees, speakers, makers and supporters blow us away,” said Callie England, director of GEWKC. “This event is one of the highlights of our year because it shows everything the Innovation Center and our partners do for entrepreneurs, all in one place.”
Sports-wellness tech cohort adds two more Kansas City companies in time for tip off
An intensive week of programming opened Monday at ShotTracker’s headquarters in Overland Park as a small cohort of founders — including two just-added Kansas City area innovators — began an immersive new experience led by Endeavor Heartland an Keystone Innovation District.
Hydrangea House grows into long-vacant, Tudor-style Brookside police and fire station
Mother-daughter duo Jessica Carpenter and Abigail Gaughan have been deep cleaning the 6,265-square-foot space — putting in new ceiling and floor tiles, upgrading plumbing, and hanging one-of-a-kind chandeliers. Three trucks of merchandise await, filled with homegoods and vintage and antique furniture.
‘Shark Tank’ is TV (not reality), founders say; Students urged to prepare for the grind, think like entrepreneurs
“You can work for the biggest company in the United States and can still be an entrepreneur within those walls of that company,” said Mathes, a namesake for the Mathes Innovation Center at William Jewell College. “So, if you want to be successful in whatever career you’re in, you need to at least think like an entrepreneur.”
How this KC-area college turned entrepreneurs’ ventures into a fast-growing MBA program
“People don’t want to study theory,” said Taras Polik, founder of London-based startup OneDay. “They can watch videos online on YouTube. They really want to do practical things with their own hands and learn this way.”
Cyphr partners with Topeka’s Omni Circle to help Kansas entrepreneurs prepare for growth
Topeka entrepreneurs have the hardware; now comes the Kansas City-built platform needed to get them to the next level. A new capital readiness tool is expected to boost ongoing startup support efforts by Omni Circle Group, which already distributed 300 free laptops to local emerging business leaders.
Techstars pushes KC startup to sharpen long-term vision as it strengthens AI, robotics focus
A Missouri-built startup’s road trip to Alabama is paying off as it evolves into a physical AI and robotics company focused on wastewater infrastructure, said co-founder Jacob Miller, touting the early, catalytic impact of a 10-week Techstars pre-accelerator on SiteScan.
KC grocery chain launches discount store as food prices rise, customers demand value
ChopMore! will offer quality meats, triple-inspected fresh produce, a variety of deli selections and hot foods, top-tier national brands, high-quality but value-based private labels, and bakery goods. “What we promise is — when you walk out the door you are going to save money,” said John Cosentino.
BioNexus KC celebrates ‘regional backbone’ connecting science, talent, tech and momentum
The scale of opportunities within Kansas City’s bio health industry would’ve been challenging to imagine even just five years ago, said Dennis Ridenour, touting a streak of groundbreakings, collaborations, game-changing announcements, and major investments — all rallying together the right people and institutions.
‘Right on plan’: Digital Health KC enters next growth phase, elevating Liz Shaffer to president
The first few years of Digital Health KC were about activating the ecosystem, said Liz Shaffer, noting the organization was propelled forward by its co-founder and longtime leader Dick Flanigan’s vision and strategy — pointedly growing the industry advocate to become a catalyst within the larger nexus of human and animal health.
Treating yourself: Sometimes a bedazzler offers the right dosage, says crafty side hustler
When women need help forming deep connections and honest conversations, Suzi Nelson said, it takes more than a simple prescription for sparkle — but it’s a start. “I trick people into talking about their feelings,” said Nelson, founder of Rxtra Co., a small business that hosts intimate bedazzling parties across Kansas City.
Neat goes national: KU business alum takes his sweat-hiding T-shirt to ‘Shark Tank’ Nov. 4
It’s a neat pitch: shirts for men who sweat and would rather not show it: the job interview, the first date, the big presentation. Patented technology is built into the fabric so professionals look composed when it counts, Jim Huffman said, describing the product he’s sharing with TV’s highest-profile investors.