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

    CAPS Network selects first cohort for $951K initiative toward rural Kansas learning expansion

    By Tommy Felts | June 4, 2024

    A significant U.S. Department of Education grant is expected to serve as a catalyst for CAPS Network’s ambitious plan to expand profession-based learning in rural America, with a particular focus on its home state of Kansas. Seven rural partner communities already have been selected. The federal funding came after impactful advocacy from U.S. Jerry Moran,…

    KC Futures DAO aims to launch Kansas City’s first blockchain-driven innovation magnet

    By Tommy Felts | May 31, 2024

    As the US races to catch up to Europe, Asia and the developing world with regard to crypto, blockchain and Web3 tech, can the careful creation of talent-attracting digital hubs help close the distance? Today’s global economy — and its hyper-competitive talent market — rightly sees rapidly advancing technology as a relentless force, said Troy Carlson,…

    New summer pitch competition builds on KCMO capital programs’ early success; applications open now

    By Tommy Felts | May 31, 2024

    A new pitch competition is expected to give impactful small businesses and startups an opportunity to gain broader exposure and win cash prizes as the city’s KC BizCare Office expands capital programs supporting entrepreneurs in Kansas City, Missouri. In late July, five selected business leaders are set to pitch their ideas to about 50 judges,…

    Vytelle’s next expansion: A third IVF lab in Australia as startup scales reproductive solutions for beef, dairy farmers

    By Tommy Felts | May 31, 2024

    A Lenexa-based agtech company’s 21st lab space is planned for Melbourne, Australia, as the global leader in bovine in vitro fertilization works to revolutionize the industry and give farmers unparalleled access to hormone-free IVF. The state-of-the-art facility — set to open later this year — will be Vytelle’s third lab in Australia following the opening…