Report: Kansas City is ‘meh’ for millennial entrepreneurs
September 30, 2015 | Bobby Burch
A recent survey found that young entrepreneurs view Kansas City as a rather pedestrian locale to launch a business.
Millennial entrepreneurs ranked Kansas City as the 30th best city to start a business, according to a Thumbtack survey of about 3,700 entrepreneurs aged 34 and under. Thumbtack, which created a marketplace that connects professional service providers with customers, asked millennial entrepreneurs questions about the friendliness of local tax laws, licensing rules, the regulatory environment, training and networking opportunities and more.
Despite facing a sluggish economy after the Great Recession, millennial entrepreneurs have been launching a high number of startups and are looking for the best environments to do so.
In 2011, entrepreneurs age 20 to 34 were on average creating about 160,000 businesses each month, according to a study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. 27 percent of millennials in 2011 identified as self-employed.
Birmingham, Alabama earned the top ranking, followed by Boise, Idaho, Boulder, Colo., and Nashville, Tenn., respectively. Omaha earned a No. 12 ranking in the survey while St. Louis ranked as the 81st best place for millennial entrepreneurs. The survey evaluated 95 cities in total.

2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KC2026 team hires cybersecurity, explosives expert for key World Cup ops-planning role
In its latest high-profile move, the team behind Kansas City’s 2026 World Cup planning has tapped a former U.S. Secret Service special agent — notably the veteran of a years-long United Nations General Assembly assignment — to lead KC2026’s safety and security efforts. Kyle Postell already has led critical infrastructure protection efforts, conducted comprehensive vulnerability…
How KC’s most iconic new art installation became this season’s must-have holiday ornament (plus where to find the 14-inch version flying)
“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a jazz bird in a pear tree,” sculptor Willie Cole said in a singsong voice. The artist behind “Ornithology” — an eye-catching and newly iconic installation suspended within Kansas City International Airport since its new terminal’s debut in March 2023 — this fall…
Ho-ho-hometeam gifts: Your guide to KC’s best sports-inspired gifts (and how to get ’em before the holidays)
As a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan, Donnell Jamison stood by the team during the grim years when the playoffs were just a prayer and Chiefs shirts weren’t necessarily a hot holiday item, he shared. “I’m a die-hard Chiefs fan,” continued Jamison, owner of Deep Rooted, a KC streetwear brand with a brick and mortar…
Kauffman Foundation adds chief IT officer to CEO’s cabinet; role will use tech to open access, opportunities
A Kauffman Foundation tech veteran is expected to help align the organization’s technology priorities in support of its mission to reduce barriers in college access, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace. Donell Hammond, who joined the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in 2018, has been named chief information technology officer and a member of…
