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
New KC podcast ‘Beyond the Founder’ explores the human side of entrepreneurship
Founder admits he doesn’t know everything, but getting vulnerable could shed light on the answers Editor’s Note: Startland News serves as the in-kind media sponsor of “Beyond the Founder.” This story was produced independently by Startland News’ staff. For 23-year-old Will Strout, the entrepreneurial journey isn’t just about profit margins and business plans — it’s…
A formal degree in crypto? KC Futures DAO spearheads globe-spanning blockchain education collaboration
A trend-setting new partnership between Kansas City blockchain visionaries, local digital innovation advocates and global thought leaders at the University of Nicosia of Cyprus could bank tech-forward thinkers a new degree of expertise: think a master’s in crypto. The opportunity comes as the KC Futures DAO, KC Digital Drive (KCDD) and the University of Nicosia…
This startup comes with baggage: How one entrepreneur zipped away a classic travel pain
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. Amber Walderier’s entrepreneurial journey began with an unexpected inspiration:…
Generator Studio promotes trio of longtime employees to premiere design firm’s ownership team
Three new additions to the ownership structure at Crossroads-based Generator Studio — the first such change in the studio’s 15-year history — each helped transform the very landscape of Kansas City, said co-founder Mike Kress. “They fully capture the spirit of Generator,” he continued, announcing that veteran team members Peter Baird, Christina Franklin, and Andrew…
