UMKC kicks off high-impact entrepreneur speaker series
August 20, 2015 | Bobby Burch
The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Bloch School is hosting a bevy of successful area entrepreneurs to offer lessons and insights.
UMKC’s “First Wednesdays” series will kick off this fall, aiming to offer area residents and students the chance to network and learn from some of Kansas City’s brightest business minds.
The university’s first event is set for Sept. 2 and will welcome Bill Zahner, CEO of A. Zahner Company. Zahner’s company is best known for its use of metal in iconic structures around the world, including the “Sky Stations” atop Kansas City’s Bartle Hall.
Other speakers scheduled thus far are Terry Van Der Tuuk, founder of Graphic Technologies, Inc. and angel investor, and Dan Lowe, founder of RED Development and RED Legacy.
All three of the speakers are a part of 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. Take a tour of the hall of fame here.
The events are free, and parking, food and drink will be provided. RSVP here.

2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Kansas City’s “Dr. Dre of Insurance” aims to remix industry
Overland Park-based ClaimKit is planning to drop the beat on the insurance industry thanks to a new round of financing. The self-proclaimed “Dr. Dre of insurance policies,” ClaimKit CEO Chris Cheatham says the company’s $1.8 million round of financing will boost development of its second software product, RiskGenius. ClaimKit was able to lean heavily on…
Events Preview: Athena League, ReversED
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 Think Big’s Anniversary Happy Hour When: January 28 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Where: Think Big Coworking Come mix and mingle…
KC’s Smart City ‘Living Lab’ to tackle domestic terrorism threats
Since 2013, more than 160 active shooter situations have taken place in the United States. Imagine for a moment if those events could be prevented or mitigated through the use of technology, such as drones, social media analysis and other sensors. That future is closer than ever according to leaders of Kansas City’s Smart City…
A vibrant arts culture leads to innovation and why hometown investors are vital
Here’s this week’s dish on why the arts community shouldn’t be a benched player on the sidelines of a city’s economy game; the importance of hometown investors to thriving startup communities; and what universities are doing to keep the talent pipeline strong for an entrepreneurial future. Check out more in this series here. The Atlantic…
