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
The WTF Series: Augmented Reality
On a daily basis, Ben Kittrell translates the jargon-filled world of technology for clients of his tech consultancy. The Words that Frustrate (WTF) series aims to offer readers some clarity in an industry dominated by techies’ confusing argot. Thanks to the Oculus Rift device, you probably heard last year’s buzz on virtual reality. The device,…
ShotTracker scores partnership with sports equipment giant Spalding
Overland Park, Kan.-based startup ShotTracker will partner with Spalding, the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world, to debut the first multi-player basketball tracking technology. ShotTracker’s technology tracks real-time basketball performance statistics using data from chips embedded in a basketball, players’ shoes, and portable sensors placed around the court. Davyeon Ross, COO of ShotTracker, commented that their…
After waning state support, Kansas Bioscience Authority will go private
A formerly state-backed investment organization for Kansas bioscience businesses will soon be transitioning from a public to private organization. After dwindling support from the State of Kansas, the Kansas Bioscience Authority’s board recently voted unanimously to shift the organization to the private market in 2016, allowing portfolio companies to partner with investors in the private…
Rightfully Sewn founder stitches a vision for Kansas City’s fashion future
Poised, posh and purposeful, Jennifer Lapka Pfeifer sits straight as a board at Kaldi’s coffee shop with unwavering eye contact. Donning a contoured-floral blue and white dress, Lapka smiles as she poetically recalls painting in high school and learning to sew with her grandmother in rural Kansas. Those experiences fostered a love for fashion, art…