Listen: Leaders analyze KC’s entrepreneurial milestones, assess challenges

June 22, 2017  |  Meghan LeVota

EyeVerify CEO Toby Rush adresses the IXKC crowd

To say that Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community has matured in the last 15 years would be an understatement.

Many leaders say that if you lived in the metro during the early 2000s and were to return now, you may not even recognize the place.

Taking a moment to reflect on how far Kansas City has come, Startland News and Think Big’s June Innovation Exchange used a historical lens to analyze Kansas City entrepreneurship.

Panelists shared their analysis on the metro’s entrepreneurial ecosystem — including growth, future opportunities and areas to be improved.

In the conversation, you’ll hear from entrepreneurial community leaders including:

  • Joe Reardon, CEO of Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
  • Toby Rush, CEO of EyeVerify
  • Darcy Howe, Managing Director of the KCRise Fund
  • Joni Cobb, CEO of Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship
  • Herb Sih, Think Big Partners
  • Maria Meyers, Executive Director of KCSourceLink

A recording of the event is below, and photos are beneath that. Hope you enjoy!

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2017 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Photos: Tour UMKC’s new Bloch Venture Hub space

    By Tommy Felts | March 24, 2017

    The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Henry W. Bloch School of Management launched a new incubator space Friday. Previously a Country Club Bank location, the facility is located just north of the Plaza Country Club at 4328 Madison St. Dubbed the Block Venture Hub, the space is set to provide resources for entrepreneurs of any stage.…

    Proudly representing Kansas City, Mycroft wins national pitch competition

    By Tommy Felts | March 24, 2017

    Mycroft AI made Kansas City proud at the Techweek National Launch Competition in Miami on Thursday by taking home the grand prize of $50,000. As the one company representing Kansas City, CEO Joshua Montgomery said that this wasn’t just a win for Mycroft — it was a win for Kansas City. “Kansas City won,” Montgomery said.…

    KCSourceLink releases annual We Create KC report

    By Tommy Felts | March 24, 2017

    In 2012, Kansas City made the bold proclamation it wanted to become the most entrepreneurial city in America. To track its progress, entrepreneurial resource hub KCSourceLink launched We Create KC, a series of reports that track metrics associated with the health of the area’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. From access to capital to jobs created, the report looks…

    UMKC’s Bloch Venture Hub offers multi-tier hub for startups at different stages

    By Tommy Felts | March 24, 2017

    A new community resource space for Kansas City entrepreneurs at all stages launched Friday with the aim to build a bridge for early-stage ventures. Previously a Country Club Bank location, the facility hopes to cultivate more local entrepreneurial ventures. Located at 4328 Madison St., the Bloch Venture Hub is powered by University of Missouri-Kansas City’s…