Events Preview: Lean Lab Launch Day, Hack Midwest

By Tommy Felts / July 16, 2015

There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Lean Lab’s Launch Day When: July 17 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Where: Sprint Accelerator Support innovation in education: listen as…

White House selects KC for digital inclusion pilot

By Tommy Felts / July 16, 2015

Kansas City was selected as part of a national pilot program to connect more children and families to the Internet. President Obama on Wednesday introduced the ConnectHome initiative, which will connect more low-income families to high-speed broadband. To achieve that, the program will unite Internet service providers, non-profits and the private sector to offer broadband access,…

Fast-growing Wardy connects fashion, film industries

By Tommy Felts / July 16, 2015

Sometimes, niche is best. At least that rationale is working well for Wardy, a Kansas City-area firm whose tech is connecting the film and fashion industries and finding traction around the country. Wardy president Chris Palmer said that his Lee’s Summit-based company’s mobile- and web-based app is designed to save time for costume designers, a…

U.S. Secretary of Commerce praises KC entrepreneurship

By Tommy Felts / July 14, 2015

A member of President Obama’s cabinet met with local entrepreneurs Tuesday to discuss how federal funds have helped accelerate their businesses, and in turn grow Kansas City. In a stop to Kansas City during the National Council of La Raza, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker met with companies that have participated in business incubator…

KC tech firm’s video app records $600K

By Tommy Felts / July 14, 2015

A local tech firm is planning to accelerate development of its mobile video application thanks to some new funding. Kansas City-based Digital Legacy landed $600,000 in May to fund the creation of its “VideoFizz” app, which allows a group of users to collaborate on a personalized video message for birthdays, anniversaries and other special events. Missouri…

The future’s around the corner at KC’s Compute Midwest

By Tommy Felts / July 13, 2015

Bold ideas with the promise to revolutionize tomorrow are heading to the City of Fountains for a growing technology conference. Now in its fourth year, Compute Midwest is set to explore technologies and ideas transforming the future, including space travel, self-driving cars and artificial intelligence. In addition to learning about the latest in technology, Compute…

Tour the UMKC Entrepreneur Hall of Fame

By Tommy Felts / July 10, 2015

Startland News took the opportunity Friday to tour the UMKC Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, which opened in late 2014. The hall aims not only to educate visitors on remarkable Kansas City businesspeople, but also celebrate the area’s entrepreneurial spirit. Enjoy!

Google selects two Kansas Citians to bridge digital divide

By Tommy Felts / July 10, 2015

Two Kansas Citians hope to increase digital inclusion by participating in a new fellowship opportunity through Google Fiber. Google announced Friday that Eze Redwood and Leslie Scott were selected to participate in Google Fiber’s Digital Inclusion Fellowship program, a year-long program created to help community organizations get more people connected to the Web. In partnership…

Acre Designs to build KC’s first ‘net-zero’ home

By Tommy Felts / July 9, 2015

A local design and architecture firm is building the Kansas City metro’s first net-zero home that will serve as a test lab for innovators aiming to create new smart home technologies. Acre Designs is now wrapping up design plans of its “Axiom House,” a 1,650 square-foot, solar-powered home that eventually will serve as a test…

Events Preview: Women & tech, millennial entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / July 9, 2015

There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Coding & Cupcakes When: Saturday, July 11 @ 2:00 PM-5:00 PM Where: Sprint Accelerator Join us for our bi-monthly coding series, Coding & Cupcakes. Mothers…

Ashton Kutcher backs former KC-based startup Neighborly

By Tommy Felts / July 9, 2015

It appears Kansas City may have let a promising startup slip through its fingers. Formerly based in Kansas City and now headquartered in San Francisco, Neighborly landed an investment and sparkling endorsement from venture capitalist superstar Ashton Kutcher. An actor and active tech investor, Kutcher founded venture capital firm Sound Ventures, which dished out one…

1MC Recap: PerfectCube, Mission Academy help customers take action

By Tommy Felts / July 8, 2015

Two local startups took the 1 Million Cups stage to discuss their solutions — each with a goal of helping their customers take action. PerfectCube started the entrepreneurial program by presenting their data analytics web tool designed for small retail stores and franchise systems. “We’ve pivoted a half dozen times on what we offer,” said…

Schukman: Authenticity is the ultimate currency for millennials

By Tommy Felts / July 8, 2015

The facts are in. Millennials prefer cause based products, are willing to pay more for them, and demonstrate strong brand loyalty to companies who weave social good into their stories. On the surface, these stats should be enough for any company to dive head first into branding themselves as social entrepreneurs. But, cause-based marketing is…

Brad Feld contest offering a startup free rent in KC

By Tommy Felts / July 7, 2015

A prominent venture capitalist is launching an international competition in Kansas City that will offer a startup free office space in one of the area’s tech hotbeds. Brad Feld, co-founder of the Boulder-based Foundry Group, kicked off a contest Tuesday that will allow a startup to live in his Kansas City, Kan., home for one-year…

Digital Sandbox partners with Olathe to lift startups

By Tommy Felts / July 6, 2015

Business incubator Digital Sandbox KC is widening its reach to suburban Kansas City. Digital Sandbox is partnering with the City of Olathe, Kan., to help launch businesses and boost entrepreneurship with its proof-of-concept model. The organization invests up to $25,000 in businesses for specific projects that help them secure additional funding. “Digital Sandbox has done…

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