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
Events Preview: First Wednesdays Speakers
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 Women’s Capital Connection Happy Hour When: August 27 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Where: Women’s Capital Connection Join Women’s Capital Connection (WCC), Women’s…
Study: Missouri tops Kansas in tech job growth
Part of the Kansas City metro area was represented on a recent report of states showing the most growth for tech-related jobs. Missouri hung on to the bottom end of Dice.com’s 17-state list at No. 15, showing 1.17 percent job growth in the tech industry during the last six months. KCnext President Ryan Weber chalks…
Drones, fashion, parties, more in Techweek queue
Techweek Kansas City released its full schedule Wednesday, revealing a jam-packed agenda with a variety of tech-oriented events to connect and inspire. The tech conference — which will be in Kansas City from Sept. 14 to Sept. 19 — will feature more than 40 events around the Kansas City area. Ranging from chats on drones…
KC entrepreneurs’ mobile game snags limelight
A year-and-a-half of tech toiling is paying dividends for a pair of Kansas City puzzle-makers whose mobile game is now surging in popularity. Luke Lisi and Kevin Bradford spent roughly 18 months designing and testing their game, The Guides, which was recently featured on the Apple Store. The Apple nod boosted daily downloads by 300…
