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.
Analysis: Stability helped KC’s tech workforce survive COVID better than most; it could be slowing growth today
Beneath the surface, a more complex story with serious stakes has been simmering since the pandemic. Kansas City’s tech scene survived — and even rebounded — but the crisis and new technologies have driven changes that may shape the sector’s long-term health.
No Recognition: Founder speeds up anti-surveillance tech in face of mass identity sweeps
Bill Swearingen thinks sharing your identity should come with an off switch.
KC’s latest sports franchise takes the field as pro softball players add to local portfolio of women athletes
They might not be from Kansas City, but players for the KC Diamonds — the newest professional sports team in town — have already scored a taste of how the city shows up for women’s sports.
How a KC-brewed probiotic is saving lives in the Philippines by eating toxins in human waste
A cross-culture collaboration between a Crossroads-based probiotics company and a global nonprofit could help ferment a more healthful world beyond poverty, said Matt Wood, describing a new use for the business’ simple, probiotic brew — similar to a kombucha — in stopping disease transmission via unsanitary communal toilets.
Lula passes elite network’s pressure testing, advancing to final hurdle before full Endeavor access
Advancing through Endeavor Heartland’s national selection process not only gets Kansas City-built property maintenance platform Lula one step away from joining Endeavor’s global entrepreneur network, said founder Bo Lais; it helps put the venture’s hometown on a bigger stage.
Alma Mader adding chicken-and-beer concept to expanded Southwest Boulevard taproom
A new space at Alma Mader Brewing marks the next phase of evolution for the local brewery following years of steady growth and national recognition — transforming the vision for its original taproom with a Czech-inspired tank beer service and a new food concept from one of Kansas City’s best-known chefs.