Quinton Lucas

Bird Cruiser

Take a seat: How do Bird’s new Cruisers fit into KCMO’s approach to disruptive innovation?

With a cushioned seat for two, the new Bird Cruiser’s potential arrival in Kansas City this summer would ride within KCMO’s approach to emerging technologies and disruptive business models. Featuring 20-inch wheels, the electric Cruisers travel uphill in areas like Kansas City’s downtown with ease, according to Bird, and are a new take on the…

KCMO advancing its smart city action plan with focus on digital equity in urban tech

Kansas City is one step closer to being a fully connected hub for urban tech, as local decision makers craft a smart city action plan. “That document will be what guides all of our future investments in technology,” explained Chris Hernandez, KCMO communications director. The action plan comes a year after the city issued a…

KCMO mayoral candidates Quinton Lucas and Jolie Justus

Startup advocates to next mayor: Make KC more attractive to tech talent, women, innovation

Months of candidate forums are complete. The door bells have been rung. Selfies taken. As the Kansas City mayor’s race heads to the polls Tuesday, the candidates are all business when it comes to courting the startup community’s vote. Jolie Justus — who has branded herself as the next “neighborhood mayor” — and Quinton Lucas…

Councilwoman Jolie Justus, StartupKC Small Business and Entrepreneurship Mayoral Forum

Jolie Justus’ open letter to startups: In many ways, the city has failed you — let’s do better together

[Editor’s note: Startland News invited Kansas City mayoral candidates Jolie Justus and Quinton Lucas to compose open letters to address their potential constituents in KC’s entrepreneur community of startups, makers, creatives and risk-takers. Justus’ response is below. Lucas did not participate. The vote is set for Tuesday, June 18.] I trust this community to see…

cbd risks

Evolving attitudes, laws dissolving risks on mainstream CBD, hemp ventures, experts say

The smoke is lifting on cannabis as a commodity, Heather Steppe said, grateful for the entrepreneurial opportunity a waning stigma has created for her family.   “Our farmers are finally getting an opportunity to grow this plant and, by God, we’re going to be some of the people who support them,” Steppe said, looking out…