Gallery: Lean Lab fellows set to disrupt KC education
July 20, 2015 | Bobby Burch
Already improving education for about 2,400 area students, the Lean Lab recently set loose another group of innovators hoping to transform Kansas City education.
The Kansas City-based education innovation incubator on Friday held its Launch Day, the culminating event of its incubator fellowship. The incubator conducted a five-week ideation program that assisted 10 fellows building prototypes of projects to improve Kansas City education and student outcomes, which is then tested within area schools.
Lean Lab co-founder Carrie Markel said there’s a common theme that’s emerged in Kansas City education in recent years, and it’s one that is hurting students’ performance and future. She anticipates through the Lean Lab’s second cohort that students and education will quickly improve.
“All those who work within the (education) system have expressed a lack of time, resources, and ability to connect with others in this work,” Markel said. “We believe that the solutions from Cohort 2 will have a profound impact on our city’s schools, the effects of which will not only be immediately apparent, but will compound over time to help build a world-class city renowned for education and innovation.”
Hosted at the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator, the Launch Day event drew more than 100 people interested in witnessing the latest in education innovation.
Below are some photos of the event, and details on the projects now being tested in area schools. Enjoy!

2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Fast-growing Wardy connects fashion, film industries
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
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
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…
