1MC Recap: PerfectCube, Mission Academy help customers take action
July 8, 2015 | Abby Tillman
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 PerfectCube founder Jim Starcev. “But we’ve always stuck with the same market — the small retail market. … We’re wanting to help those companies compete on a larger scale.”
The company’s tool focuses on actionable data, more so than big data, Starcev said. PerfectCube aims to help small retail stores gain insights on their customers so they can take steps to maximize their business.
PerfectCube has built out an initial version of their web-based tool, and is now working on its next iteration. The company hopes to launch version two during the fourth quarter of this year, and secure paying customers at that time.
The startup has also closed an initial round of seed funding, and is currently looking to expand their team, adding a developer and data scientist.
Mission Academy, an online educational platform for missionaries, followed PerfectCube’s presentation. Mission Academy’s platform will provide how-to videos, resources, webinars and online courses to missionaries preparing for mission trips. The resources will be made available in order to help volunteers take appropriate action to plan for and be successful in their work.
“There is a lack of resources out there for missionaries,” said Mission Academy founder Sam Werner. “We’re going to solve this problem — the headaches and the heartaches that missionaries go through.”
Currently Werner is considering a subscription model for the platform, charging between $20 and $30 per month for access to the website’s resources, including help from travel agents and insurance agents who understand the mission field.
Missions Academy is still under development, but Werner stated that he hopes to launch in the fall and is already marketing the concept to missionaries.
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KCultivator Q&A: John Coler champions making a quick impact, packs of dolphins
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today Startland takes a closer look at startup ecosystem champion John Coler. Check out our features on Made in KC’s Tyler Enders, Hispanic business builder Pedro Zamora, ‘fashionpreneur’ Jordan Williams, Plexpod founder Gerald Smith, innovation coach Diana…
Backed by $4M round, Hilary’s Eat Well expanding organic food line, hiring 10-15 workers
Hilary’s Eat Well is growing its plant-based food line, company leaders said. The move to diversify the company’s offerings — as well as to more efficiently produce larger quantities of its free-from (dairy- and gluten-free) products — comes as the Lawrence-based operation moves its storage to an off-site facility, freeing up manufacturing space, said Lydia…
City challenges startup leaders to swap social media for in-person dialogue on regulation
Editor’s note: Rick Usher is a member of the Kansas City Startup Foundation’s policy committee, and Sarah Shipley is a board member for KCSF, the parent organization of Startland News. This piece was independently produced. There’s a void of shared awareness between city government and the startup community, Rick Usher said. That’s why government officials and leaders…
8-year-old Raytown entrepreneur strings together jewelry business
Raelynn Heath’s bling is inspiring, her mother said. The 8-year-old entrepreneur has spent half her life developing a brand built on crafting original jewelry and repairing broken pieces, she said. “We take a little bit of the old and the new and the practical,” said Regina Lastiee-Heath. Young Raelynn markets her jewelry on Facebook and…