Listen: Leaders analyze KC’s entrepreneurial milestones, assess challenges
June 22, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
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!
Featured Business

2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KCK no longer on list of America’s worst connected cities
Despite a politically divided metro and world, progress is happening in Kansas City, Kan. In 2014, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance rated the city as the 8th worst connected city in the nation. Thanks to recent census data, those numbers have been updated and things are looking up for Kansas City, Kan. The initiative released…
Three local GEW events you don’t want to miss
Global Entrepreneurship Week is coming up quickly and there are some events you won’t want to miss. From Nov. 10 to 22, Kansas City will celebrate the global celebration along with more than 160 participating countries. Global Entrepreneurship Week was launched by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in 2008 with the intent to inspire millions…
MECA Challenge pushes area students to think more entrepreneurially
Editor’s note: Startland News is an affiliate organization of MECA Challenge, both of which are operated by CEED LLC. A competition that challenges students to solve startups’ business problems is gaining traction in Kansas City. MECA Challenge is an entrepreneurial problem-solving contest for high school- and college-aged students that aims to transform education and produce…
Events Preview: #Cowork4Good
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious Kansas Citian, we recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW The Foundation Series: Idea to App – Creating a Digital MVP When: November 10 @ 10:00am – 11:00am Where: Enterprise…
