Compute Midwest rebrands, announces expansion to the Windy City
June 2, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
The Kansas City-based tech conference formerly known as Compute Midwest has announced a rebrand and expansion to Chicago.
The conference, which has been recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the top tech conferences in the nation, has changed its name to become Dare Mighty Things. Since its launch in 2012, the conference has consistently attracted a broad audience, including entrepreneurs, developers, venture capitalists, creatives, executives and more.
Founder Michael Gelphman said he believes the name will allow the conference to reach a broader audience.
“The previous name kind of constrained us — we want to become something more global,” Gelphman said. “Anybody who hears that name automatically will think this is just for super techy people. … The conference is for anybody who’s creating anything who wants to be inspired.”
Presented by the Disruption Institute, the event previously has featured speakers such as Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, iRobot founder Rodney Brooks, former NASA CTO Chris Kemp, former Makerbot CEO Jenny Lawton and more.
Gelphman hopes the rebrand will help Dare Mighty Things expand its reach while breaking down silos within the tech, creative and business communities.
“These segmented communities are all coming together and seeing what kind of ideas and conversations come out of it,” Gelphman said. “That’s part of the magic — bringing these different people together.”
Dare Mighty Things is set for Nov. 3 in Chicago. Although Gelphman said he’s enjoyed holding the conference in Kansas City for the past six years, he’s excited about the conference’s growth.
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to see what we could do in Chicago and completely start from scratch,” Gelphman said. “We also know that many people from Kansas City will still be attending.”
Gelphman expects about 1,000 registrants and added that attendance has grown each year since its launch. In addition, Dare Mighty Things will offer a podcast this year, featuring interviews with top innovators from around the world.
“We want it to be more than just a conference,” Gelphman said. “The podcast will allow us to continuously create content and help with brand awareness. We want listeners to get the same feeling from the content that they experience at the conference.”
To learn more or to register for Dare Mighty Things, click here.
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Mayor proposes $1M in off-duty LEO pay; River Market eyes ‘witching hours’ security to combat crime wave
An ordinance pushed by Mayor Quinton Lucas would fund extra security services in KCMO business districts through collaboration with regional law enforcement agencies — a move aimed at preventing more thefts, break-ins and vandalism incidents targeted at Kansas City small businesses. Lucas’ proposal would invest up to $1 million to increase the presence of off-duty deputies…
How this Andre’s Valentine collaboration celebrates the friendship that sparked Kate Spade
The favorite hometown chocolate of one Kansas City’s best-known fashion designers and entrepreneurs serves as just one ingredient in a new Valentine’s Day collaboration from André’s Confiserie Suisse. The local chocolatier just rolled out a limited edition line alongside Frances Valentine to mark the holiday, as well as celebrate the friendship between Elyce Arons and…
Electric Americana: How singer Teri Quinn broke from the pack (and found her own in KC)
Members of the Kansas City-based band Teri Quinn & The Coyotes are carving a distinctive space within the local music scene. From Appalachian banjo riffs to punk-inspired beats, their sound reflects diverse influences — howling loudest from the woman in front. Attendees at Startland News’ Jan. 23 reception for the Kansas City Startups to Watch…
C2FO hits its first billion-dollar day; marks $400B in funding to customers as global finance shifts
A record-breaking year for C2FO serves as a proof point itself, said Sandy Kemper, revealing the Kansas City-built fintech surpassed $400 billion in lifetime funding to its customers in 2024 and achieved $1 billion of daily funding for the first time. “The success of the past year only demonstrates the tremendous need for more efficient…