Events Preview: Pipeline’s Innovator of the Year, Rise Fast Summit

There are a plethora of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious community member — we recommend these upcoming events for you.

Weekly Events Preview

Innovation Exchange
When: Jan. 24, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Think Big Coworking
*** This month, Startland editor Bobby Burch will be talking with Lesa Mitchell, managing director of Techstars Kansas City. More guests to be announced soon. ***

Rarely are all the facts of breaking news included in the stories we read. From the coincidences that led to a business deal to the personal challenges along the way, there’s often a fascinating patchwork of details that remain in reporters’ notebooks.

Think of Innovation Exchange as a chance to open a news organization’s notepad for a view into its sources’ rich backstories. On Jan. 24, Startland News editor Bobby Burch will explore breaking news in Kansas City entrepreneurship via a fireside chat with the newsmakers that catalyzed the headlines.

TechHire KC – Tech Sector Meetup
When: Jan. 25, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Think Big Partners
Find out how the TechHire initiative can impact your organization, how you can participate with subsidized placements, and discover how you can influence programming, training and curriculum to better meet your workforce needs. During these meetups, we will explore those topics and dive deeper into the region’s 5-year outlook, sector best practices, labor trends, and curriculum/instructional design in I.T. in Kansas City. Think Big Partners serves as the Tech Sector Intermediary on behalf of FEC and the TechHire initiative in Kansas City.

Tech on Tap Series
When: Jan. 25, 4:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Where: Lifted Spirits Distillery
Welcome to our Tech on Tap Series sponsored by Greg Elliot.

Join the KC Tech Council and other members of Kansas City’s tech scene for an opportunity to have a drink on us, network and learn about our role in the city’s tech scene.

Entrepreneur’s Journey for Business Success
When: Jan. 25, 6:00 p.m.  – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sprint Accelerator
On January 25, 2017, we are giving you a chance to hear successful entrepreneurs from across the city to learn about their business journey. Entrepreneur’s Journey will give you insight on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Prepare for a night of learning about growth, failure, strategy/traction, leadership, and more. There will be an abundance of food, music, and libations. Sponsored by Project UK and the National Black MBA Association.

6:00PM-7:00PM-Audience interaction to discuss their own business journey

7:00PM-8:15PM-Speakers

8:15-8:30 Closing

Innovator of the Year: Pipeline 2017 Fellow Presentations
When: Jan. 26, 8:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Where: Alamo Draft House
Our 2016 Pipeline Fellows have spent an intense year working and improving on their businesses, and doing this work together. Come watch the final piece of their Fellowship year and listen to their pitches – which is the last leg of their friendly competition to be named Pipeline “Innovator of the Year.”

GUILDit forum with Jason Pollen and Michael Wickerson
When: Jan. 26, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Kemper Museum
We are a gathering that helps craft a stronger Kansas City creative economy, one art entrepreneur at a time. Come hear a variety of artists and makers share their story. Be a part of an audience that is inspired by the sharing of business ideas, resources, and solutions. Connect to Kansas City Art Entrepreneurism, connect at GUILDit. KCAI artists Jason Pollen and Michael Wickerson will present.

The Innovators
When: Jan. 26, 6:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.
Where: Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
Join Pipeline for the Celebration of the Decade at The Innovators in KC at the Midland Theater.
Doors open at 6:00pm. Dinner & Awards at 7:30 pm.

FX January Luncheon Doing What You Love and Loving What You Do
When: Jan. 27, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Ruins Pub
A Conversation with the KC Royals Top Communicator. Mike Swanson’s been around baseball for much of his life. As a kid, his mom took him to her jobs working for the Royals and Chiefs. That early exposure to sports cultivated a passion for baseball, and his career path reflects that.

The course of Swanson’s 38-year career in sports communications has brought him full circle – back home to KC. For the last 11 years, he’s been the lead communicator for the Royals. As VP of Communications & Broadcasting, he’s guided the communications and media relations team through the ball club’s highs and lows.

It’s certainly a great time to be a Royals fan. But, from a communications standpoint, what does it take to run such a high-profile communications operation with so many stakeholders? How does one keep fans interested, engaged and excited in the offseason? Swanson will be answering these questions and more at our next FX luncheon.

Be sure to mark your calendar and join us on Friday, January 27th, when Mike Swanson will be our featured guest. We guarantee you will not want to miss this program!

NMotion Accelerator Social
When: Jan. 27, 4:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Where: Village Square Coworking
NMotion will be hosting a social at Village Square in Kansas City. This is your chance to learn more about our program, meet our staff, and hear from our alumni who are part of the Pipeline Fellowship. The event will have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as appetizers and is FREE to the public.

Build A Website Workshop
When: Jan. 28 – Jan. 29, all day
Where: SpiderOak Offices, Suite 324
Build a fully hosted, completely functional website for your business, nonprofit, or social group! We’ll walk you through step by step how to register, host, build, customize, publish, and get the most out of your very own website. We utilize industry standard content management software, and world-class hosting, to get you up and running quickly. On-site experts will build a website live with you as you follow along step by step building your own! Use the same technology that powers over 60 million websites to build a complete, functional website that looks how you want and does what you need. With thousands of plug-ins and customizable themes available, we will help you get everything you can out of your new website. On-site experts will guide you through the process, answering questions and helping you design the right website for your purposes. Our graphic designer will also help with custom graphics like photo editing, stock photo usage, and logo creation. Free, over  $1,500 value.

Rise Fast Summit
When: Jan. 31, 10:00 a.m. — 9:30 p.m.
Where: Sprint Accelerator
With the Rise Fast Summit – and the year of continued learning, mentoring and support that we provide summit attendees – our goal is to teach the mindset, thinking strategies, and skill sets that many of the most successful impact-professionals use.
Don’t rely on your job to provide opportunities for you – learn the secrets to creating your own path to success, becoming a star at work, and being able to single-handedly make an impact on your organization…from people who’ve done it.

For more information on speakers and topics visit www.risefast.co

Kansas City Search Engine Marketing Association
When: Jan. 31, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Tomfooleries
It’s a new year and a great time for everyone to get together to recharge our marketing/advertising minds! In this new year of change for our group, we will be searching for a new venue as well as time of day and format considerations. We look forward to your attendance at this lunch to catch up with others, network and meet new local marketers/advertising professionals and help us collaborate on another great year of a fantastic group!

KCSEM events are beneficial for networking with others as well as learning about the ins and outs of online advertising, SEO, PPC, Social Media, Link-building, etc. Attended by Search veterans and newcomers, agency and in-house or those just interested in the industry, KCSEM is a local group allowing us to meet and intellectually grow together!

January KCDUG Meetup
When: Jan. 31, 6:00 p.m. — 8:00  p.m.
Where: VML
This month Eric Gruber is going to give a presentation on Drupal Console. As always we’ll have plenty of time for open discussion and Q&A.
One logistical note – The first floor of the VML office is being renovated so you can’t get in the front door. Just follow the signs that will direct you to the side door.

Ongoing events

Don’t miss out on the events that happen every week at the same time, in the same place.

Code for KC Hack Night
Mondays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Sprint Accelerator
Hammerspace Open House
Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Hammerspace
1 Million Cups
Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Kauffman Foundation, Lawrence and KC Live Stream

Looking ahead

The Marketing Series: Become a Thought Leader by Writing and Publishing an E-Book with Tracey Weaver
When: Feb. 1, 11:00 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Where: Sprint Accelerator
ECJC’s Marketing Series takes an in-depth look at the science and analytics behind marketing campaigns–from the basics of growth hacking to ins-and-outs of content marketing. $15

First Wednesdays
When: Feb. 1, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Join us for A Conversation with William Dunn Sr. and Steven Dunn. Hear first-hand how Dunn’s commitment to the promises of client satisfaction and adhering to core values helped him grow his father’s company into one of the nation’s leading providers of construction management services, design-build, and integrated project delivery.

KC Roundtable Breakfast
When: Feb. 2, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where: Eggct
KC Roundtable is in existence to provide 20 and 30-something Kansas City entrepreneurs with a group of peers to support and collaborate on each others’ businesses. Our mission is to: – Focus on relationship building; not lead generating – Facilitate collaboration, openness, transparency, learning and teaching – Establish an entrepreneurial network – Fill the void of not having the water cooler.

We meet for breakfast and various locations around the city. In addition to our morning meetings, KC Roundtable provides additional opportunities to network with young entrepreneurs such as events like small group Mastermind sessions & After Hour events.

Prospective members are self-motivated, curious, open to learning and currently starting a new business. Thanks for checking us out. We look forward to meeting you soon!

The Capital Series: Funding a Scalable Startup in KC with Melissa Roberts, ECJC
When: Feb. 2, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Enterprise Center in Johnson County
The Capital Series is offered for investors and entrepreneurs, allowing for detailed discussions of the due diligence process, term sheets, valuations and investor pitches during the equity investment process, as well as discussion of possible sources of debt financing. Light refreshments will be provided. $15.

The Marketing Series: SEO Made Easy with Brandon Kenig
When: Feb. 8, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Sprint Accelerator
The Marketing Series takes an in-depth look at the science and analytics behind marketing campaigns–from the basics of growth hacking to ins-and-outs of content marketing. $15.

SMCKC 2017 AMPS Awards
When: Feb. 8, 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: 28 Event Space
Our biggest event of the year! We’re back for the third year of the Social Media Club of Kansas City’s AMPS awards – recognizing outstanding social campaigns from brands, nonprofits, governments and educational institutions in our region. Be a part of the fun by purchasing your ticket to attend or sponsoring the event! As an attendee, you’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder with top social influencers in Kansas City. Enjoy heavy appetizers and drinks, followed by a night of recognition for the best of the best social campaigns in the region.

Tickets
Reserved tables (8 seats) – $450
Pair of AMPS tickets (2 seats) – $110
Individual AMPS ticket (1 seat) – $60