Fund Me, KC: FireBoard’s thermometer cooks up smarter chefs
August 9, 2016 | Startland News Staff
Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Fireboard founder Ted Conrad — to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Back FireBoard’s Kickstarter here.
Who are you?
Ted Conrad, founder of FireBoard

The FireBoard
What does FireBoard do?
We specialize in designing and selling connected devices to solve simple problems. Our first product is our cloud-connected, smart thermometer called the FireBoard. The FireBoard is a product designed for professionals to use commercially, or for consumers to use for cooking.
How much do you hope to raise?
We are targeting a campaign goal of $30,000. Based on the interest we have seen in the FireBoard, we are optimistic that we may be able to exceed our goal.
What do you plan to use the funds for?
With any hardware build, its ideal to place orders for larger quantities. With a strong campaign on Kickstarter, it will allow us to negotiate better pricing and start manufacturing the device at a reasonable price point.
How are you differentiating your campaign?
An important feature of our product and this campaign is the level of quality and accuracy of our solution. It’s designed and built for professional use, and its accuracy surpasses most consumer grade products. It’s also built in Kansas City!
Is there anything quirky you’re trying with your campaign?
If you cook food, you can probably become a better cook with our device. It’s fun to have a device that anyone can use, and especially when it comes to food, everyone wants to find new ways to improve their cooking.
What’s some advice you have to others launching a campaign?
Preparation: We’ve learned by reading about stories of other successful campaigns and the common element is the time spent in advance on preparing for the launch. With the video and other collateral required, there is at least a month of full-time work, if not two months.
Learn more about FireBoard with the video below.
If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com

2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Ronawk lauds departing chief science officer as she launches her own biotech startup
Kansas City’s life sciences ecosystem continues to expand, the founders of Ronawk said Monday, celebrating plans for the Overland Park biotech company’s chief scientific officer to launch her own venture — returning to her roots in diagnostics and drug development, and growing the region’s culture of innovation. Dr. Amy Manning-Boğ is transitioning from her role…
Kauffman taps financial exec to help foundation invest in ideas, collaborations that expand opportunity
A newly named addition to the leadership cabinet at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is expected to play a crucial role in fostering equitable, inclusive, and sustainable prosperity, said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, announcing Ben Clouse as the organization’s chief financial officer. “Ben brings a proven record of strategic financial leadership and a deep commitment to…
LISTEN: Ground Truth Ag puts real-time objectivity into grain grading; here’s how it makes your food safer
On this episode of our 12-part Plug and Play Topeka podcast series, we speak with Kyle Folk, CEO and founder of Ground Truth Ag — a next-gen ag-tech company using AI, machine vision and near-infrared spectroscopy to deliver real-time grain-quality data across the farm-to-market workflow. Folk shares how his upbringing on a Canadian farm inspired…
