Tag: Techstars

It’s ‘the place that everyone wants to be’: Why Techstars could be back in KC for more than just hugs

By Tommy Felts / February 27, 2026

Five years after Techstars left Kansas City, the global startup accelerator’s co-founder and CEO teased a comeback for the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. “We’re going to try to figure out how to continue to be a part of the Kansas City startup community,” David Cohen told a crowd of founders, investors, advocates, and Techstars alumni Thursday…

How KC transformed entrepreneurship from counterculture into a model for the mainstream

By Tommy Felts / July 25, 2025

Veteran ecosystem builders returned to the Heartland this week, urging a new generation of entrepreneur advocates to embrace Kansas City’s style of experimentation and its uniquely collaborative startup culture. “Entrepreneurship is not spreadsheets and business plans,” said Jonathan Ortmans, who founded the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) — the nonprofit parent of Global Entrepreneurship Week —…

KC pet tech startup fetches $120K Techstars investment, taking founder’s pitch to Atlanta

By Tommy Felts / September 12, 2024

As Kansas City-built Interplay prepares to bring its debut product to market, the pet tech startup is getting a jolt of new energy from one of the nation’s top accelerator programs. The timing couldn’t be better, said founder Jonaie Johnson, announcing Interplay’s acceptance into Techstars Atlanta & New Orleans Powered by J.P. Morgan, which welcomed…

KCK startup joins Tulsa Techstars, building toward expected $1.2M funding round

By Tommy Felts / May 9, 2023

Another Kansas City startup is headed for entrepreneurial resources in Oklahoma with Foresight Reporting’s just-announced acceptance into The Build in Tulsa Techstars Accelerator. “We’re very excited to not only be embedded in the Tulsa entrepreneurial ecosystem, but also in its rich culture and history,” said Jannae Gammage, CEO and co-founder of Kansas City, Kansas-built Foresight.…

Is Wichita the next tech hotspot? Startup week organizer says pieces are falling into place  

By Tommy Felts / October 6, 2022

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. After…

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