Coworking Wednesdays

You’re probably already out (attending 1 Million Cups) – why go back to your usual office?  Or maybe you haven’t found a good way to dip into the KC startup scene and need to shake things up!  Spend the day with your extended network and meet some awesome new people working from the Sprint Accelerator.  Keep the conversations going, learn something new and get your work done in the process!

Who: KC entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and supporters of the KC startup scene
What: Sprint Accelerator Coworking Wednesdays
Where: Sprint Accelerator 210 West 19th Terrace, KCMO
When: Every Wednesday 9:00 AM-4:30 PM (June 24th- September 30th)
Why: Because sometimes the most brilliant ideas come from diverse groups of curious and driven individuals. Get outside of your normal work environment and dive head first into the KC startup ecosystem! Also, this year we will include speakers, startup resource partner updates, guided networking and more for a small portion of each day.
How: Register for the whole series via Eventbrite: “Sprint Accelerator – Coworking Wednesdays” and show up!
Social: @SprintAccel #powerofKC

This year, we will have speaker content, startup resource partner updates, founder stories and guided networking activities at 3:00 PM every Coworking Wednesday. Here’s just a hint of what’s to come, including the Digital Sandbox “Summer in the Sand” series!

• June 24 – Digital Sandbox presents “Summer in the Sand” Series. “The funding landscape in Kansas City: Gaining a home field advantage” with Maria Meyers presenting. Maria, founder & network builder, KCSourceLink, knows a thing or two about money and startups. KCSourceLink, in conjunction with a group of partners, explored funding mechanisms available to early-stage companies in the KC community & found some startling gaps. The good news is there is a plan to close the gaps & increase accessibility & availability. Maria will provide insight on who is getting capital in KC, how this could impact your startup project & KC’s vision to be America’s most entrepreneurial city.
• July 1 – Networking Activity
• July 8 – “How to Effectively Build your Advisory Board” with Lesa Mitchell presenting
• July 15 – Digital Sandbox presents “Summer in the Sand” Series. “Batter up! Making an effective pitch to the Digital Sandbox KC” with Jeff Shackelford presenting. Jeff, Director, Digital Sandbox KC, will walk participants through the process of applying for & pitching to the decision makers. After this session you’ll know exactly how to make the most effective presentation for funding support from the Digital Sandbox KC & increase your chance of hitting a homerun, or at least for funding approval.
• July 22 – Corey Hansen of “How to Act in Business” will discuss “Adapting to Audience: Your Rhythm as an Effective Communicator”. As a communicator, adapting to your audience is critical to the success of your message. But things can get in the way of your delivery, including you! Join Actor, Blogger and Energizer Corey Hansen from “How to Act in Business” as Corey illustrates some creative, acting-based techniques to enhance your effectiveness in connecting with any crowd.
• July 29 – Networking Activity
• Aug. 5 – Networking Activity
• Aug. 12 – Startup Resource Partner Update – Techstars.  Come hear Techstars Managing Director John Fein and Sprint Accelerator Manager Doug Dresslaer talk about the Sprint Accelerator powered by Techstars on August 12th at 3:00pm. They’ll discuss how the program works, what they look for in applicants, and the expanded 2016 program. Also hear Rex Animal Health CEO Amado Guloy and FitBark CEO Davide Rossi as they discuss what it’s like to go through a Techstars program, and answer attendee questions.  Starting at 4:00pm, John Fein will be holding private office hours where any existing or aspiring entrepreneur can ask questions about anything: product ideas, strategy, funding, Techstars, whatever. Use this link to book a slot while they last:  http://bit.ly/bookjohnfein.  Come work the whole day with us or catch the talk at 3pm and office hours at 4pm!
• Aug. 19 – Digital Sandbox presents “Summer in the Sand” Series. “Don’t get caught looking: How early customer acquisition can fuel funding.” Hear from a panel of distinguished and successful business owners from the Kansas City area who will share stories on the creative ways they acquired their first customers and how that impacted their ability to secure important early investors. Stuart Ludlow, co-founder, RFP365, Danny O’Neill, owner, The Roasterie, Babir Sultan, CEO, Royal Loyal
• Aug. 26 – Startup Resource Partner Update – The Nerdery with Monica McAtee
• Sept. 2 – Networking Activity
• Sept. 9 – Harry Campbell, CEO Durrie Vision, author of “Get-Real Leadership” and startup mentor
• Sept. 16 – Digital Sandbox presents “Summer in the Sand” Series. “Pitching in the Big Leagues when the bases are loaded.” Hear from angel investors on what they look for when making capital investment decisions. This is your chance to hear directly from some of the area’s best-known and most important investors and to ask them questions. Panelists include: Tom DeBacco, General Partner, Flyover Capital, Lance LeMay, Managing Director, OpenAir Equity Partners, Jill Meyer, Senior Technology Development and Commercialization Consultant, UMKC Small Business and Technology Development Center and Rick Vaughn, Managing Director, Mid-America Angels.
• Sept. 23 – Startup Resource Partner Update
• Sept. 30 – KCnext – overall update, talent in KC and more!