HEMP brings Apple co-founder to KC as featured speaker

May 8, 2015  |  Abby Tillman

Screen Shot 2015-07-27 at 1.50.30 PM

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, will be the keynote speaker at The Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program’s 20th anniversary celebration.

Screen Shot 2015-07-27 at 1.50.30 PMWozniak’s experience shaping the computing industry and influential product design for Apple have produced him fame as one of technology’s key thought leaders.

“As a successful entrepreneur, Steve Wozniak understands the importance a mentor can make in someone’s life, which is why we’re so excited to have him help celebrate 20 years of inspiring people through mentorship in Kansas City,” HEMP founder Barnett Helzberg Jr. said in a recent release.

The event will also feature the announcement of the first inductee into the newly established “HEMP Hall of Fame” — a program established to honor mentors in the program. Since 1995, more than 300 entrepreneurs have participated in the program and their impact on businesses has been significant. The companies of HEMP participants have on average grown revenue 43 percent and increased headcount by 30 percent.

The event will be held the evening of Thursday, Nov. 19, in Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri.

Advance sale group tickets of ten or more seats are on sale now, and individual tickets will be available Sept. 15. More information can be found at www.hempkc.org.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2015 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    C2FO named top fintech by CNBC; leaders celebrate win, pushing toward $500B funding milestone

    By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

    A Kansas City fintech’s award-winning efforts to boost working capital access for businesses across the globe not only has built trust among the world’s top enterprises, said Sandy Kemper; it’s positioned C2FO for even greater impact as it transforms the financing landscape for previously overlooked ventures. The company was honored this month as one of…

    David Hensley and Leib Dodell, Bar K

    Bar K dog bar closes all locations, calling out KC riverfront construction, rising inflation

    By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

    Owners of the award-winning Bar K dog bar — a popular destination for four-legged Kansas Citians and their friends — announced its closure Tuesday, after nearly a decade in business that saw the concept expand to St. Louis and Oklahoma City before suddenly shuttering all operations. “We are heartbroken to announce that Bar K will be…

    Months after taking over century-old tailor shop, owner putts his new golf apparel brand in play

    By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

    Even when an entrepreneur hyper-obsesses over the details, Michael Jerwick learned, opportunity isn’t always tailor-fit to the most conveniently designed timing. The Slabotsky’s owner just transplanted his century-spanning family business to River Market — a mere week before launching a brand new apparel side project. Two of the biggest moves of his career, Jerwick had…

    ‘Belonging is not a luxury’: KC Chamber winner links DEIB commitment to hope, dignity

    By Tommy Felts | July 25, 2025

    Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging aren’t just words in reStart Inc.’s strategic plan, CEO Stephanie Boyer said, noting they are the foundation of how the nonprofit’s leaders show up, serve, and lead. “We believe that belonging is not a luxury,” she continued. “It’s a right, and it’s a right that we’re committed to protecting and…