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
Transportant’s newest partnership gets KC startup’s smart dashboard onto more school buses
Buses equipped with advanced technology from Transportant are expected to enhance safety for students and drivers — as well as peace of mind for parents and school administrators — thanks to a new multistate partnership. RWC Group, a commercial truck and bus dealership that serves five states, on Wednesday announced a new collaboration with Lenexa-based Transportant…
Here’s how five urban renewal projects could transform blighted areas across KCMO
A new film studio incubator coming to Troost Avenue. The evolution of the former Marlborough Elementary School. Adapting a towering, historic downtown building for modern needs. This series of revitalization projects involving blighted properties heralds a new era of growth and prosperity for Kansas City, said Dan Moye, noting each newly funded urban renewal initiative…
Kin Seltzer marks first anniversary with strategic C-suite hire, national expansion moves
Kansas City’s Black-owned beverage brand Kin Seltzer is popping the tab on a new year of business this month with the addition of a new chief strategy officer and a new focus on expanding the canned drinks’ footprint. Quincy Crutchfield, Kin’s new executive, comes with extensive entrepreneurial experience in marketing, branding, and creative design, successfully…
