VIDEO: Startup leaders talk KC Startup Foundation (plus bloopers)
August 10, 2017 | Bobby Burch and Meghan LeVota
So, what exactly is the Kansas City Startup Foundation?
For one, it is a foundation. Secondly, it involves startups. And last but not least, it serves Kansas City.
If you have ever found yourself confused about what exactly the Kansas City Startup Foundation does and which programs it offers, then the video below is for you.
Since the foundation’s launch in 2016, it has undergone many pivots, shifts and changes.
As you may have read in the news earlier this week, the foundation has merged with Center for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development, a for-profit community building organization spearheaded by Adam Arredondo. A former board member at the Kansas City Startup foundation, Arredondo will now serve as the executive director for the nonprofit.
It became clear to Arredondo that both organizations shared the same vision: “to create the most connected startup ecosystem in the world.”
And as Matthew Marcus, the Kansas City Startup Foundation’s director of operations, began to realize, “volunteer efforts alone were only going to take the foundation so far. We needed more resources and more support to champion our efforts.”
Former co-founders of the now-defunct local events startup Local Ruckus, Arredondo and Marcus have been through a lot with each other. The pair also served as integral community builders cultivating the Kansas City Startup Village since about 2012.
In the video below, Arredondo and Marcus share their entrepreneurial journey and detail what to expect from the foundation in the future.
Bloopers
Featured Business
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KC Tech Specs report: Net gain of 11,000 workers for KC, but 3,000 jobs remain unfilled
Kansas City’s brain gain grew at three times the rate of Chicago in 2017, according to a new report from the KC Tech Council. Isolated to tech jobs, the city’s pool of workers swelled by 11,000, the KC Tech Specs 2018 report said, though a shortage of skilled professionals remains. “The Kansas City tech industry…
ShotTracker raises $10.4M round featuring former NBA Commissioner David Stern
Merriam-based ShotTracker is fueling its global expansion via a large funding round featuring several high-profile investors. The sports tech company announced Wednesday that it raised a $10.4 million Series A financing round led by Ward.Ventures, NBA commissioner David Stern and two-time National League home run champion, Ryan Howard. The round also includes Greycroft, Elysian Ventures,…
KCSourceLink All-Star nominations open for ‘E Day at the K’ 15-year celebration
Who helped your business? Likely a future KCSourceLink All-Star. A celebration recognizing KCSourceLink’s 15 years as a top resource for entrepreneurs also will pay homage to the community builders who’ve made an impact through the organization’s Resource Partner Network. KCSourceLink is now taking nominations for 15 All-Star awards, which honor past and present partners. (Nominees…
KCultivator Q&A: Melissa Roberts talks tough (love), hot milk soup and mansplaining
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by WeWork Corrigan Station, a modern twist on Kansas City office space.Expertise requires experience, said Melissa Roberts. “I’ve had so many diverse roles and I’ve taken something from each of them,” the political…