Techweek KC speaker lineup spans blockchain and 3D printing to fintech and inclusion
August 8, 2018 | Startland Staff
Techweek KC has released a diverse docket of events, panels and speakers that aim to inspire and mobilize the area’s tech and entrepreneur community.
Now in its fourth year, Techweek KC returns Oct. 8-12 with national tech, venture capital, nonprofit and blockchain leaders, said Drew Solomon, senior vice president of business development at the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City.
“We are seeing some really great content taking shape for Techweek this year in Kansas City,” Solomon said. “The industry-focused content, along with some thoughtful and diverse keynotes, bring really good perspectives to Kansas City as a part of this year’s conference. I think these speakers are going to give us some great insights and I am looking forward to it.”
The 2018 speaker roster features:
- Tim O’Reilly — Founder and CEO of O’Reilly Media, Inc.
- Phil DeSimone — Co-founder of Carbon3D, a Silicon Valley-based digital 3D manufacturing company recently valued at $1.7 Billion
- Dr. Karen Kerr — Executive managing director at GE Ventures and a PhD in physical chemistry
- Dr. Fred McKinney — Dartmouth University, Managing Director of Minority Business Programs
- Kimberly Bryant — Founder of Black Girls Code
- Rodney Sampson — Founder of Opportunity Hub in Atlanta
- Kira Blackwell — Program executive at NASA Headquarters
Chicago-based Techweek first came to the Kansas City market in 2015, and is focused on offering technical content, as well as education and training programming. That programming includes seven distinct tracks for attendees to choose from, including fintech, healthtech, augmented/virtual reality, blockchain, minority inclusion, public policy and venture capital.
The speakers and content should prove valuable for techies and entrepreneurs alike, said Amanda Signorelli, CEO of Techweek KC.
“There is a lot to be excited for as a result of good partnerships and a real focus on diving in to key subject areas and issues,” Signorelli said. “Creating good content with focus around these areas makes every day of the conference very attractive.”
In addition to speakers and programming, demo days for Techstars KC and BetaBlox will join LaunchKC as signature events during the festival like experience.
To buy tickets for Techweek KC, click here.
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Backed by $4M round, Hilary’s Eat Well expanding organic food line, hiring 10-15 workers
Hilary’s Eat Well is growing its plant-based food line, company leaders said. The move to diversify the company’s offerings — as well as to more efficiently produce larger quantities of its free-from (dairy- and gluten-free) products — comes as the Lawrence-based operation moves its storage to an off-site facility, freeing up manufacturing space, said Lydia…
City challenges startup leaders to swap social media for in-person dialogue on regulation
Editor’s note: Rick Usher is a member of the Kansas City Startup Foundation’s policy committee, and Sarah Shipley is a board member for KCSF, the parent organization of Startland News. This piece was independently produced. There’s a void of shared awareness between city government and the startup community, Rick Usher said. That’s why government officials and leaders…
8-year-old Raytown entrepreneur strings together jewelry business
Raelynn Heath’s bling is inspiring, her mother said. The 8-year-old entrepreneur has spent half her life developing a brand built on crafting original jewelry and repairing broken pieces, she said. “We take a little bit of the old and the new and the practical,” said Regina Lastiee-Heath. Young Raelynn markets her jewelry on Facebook and…
Firebrand Ventures inks $17.7M for oversubscribed seed fund
Kansas City-based seed fund Firebrand Ventures has crushed its original goal to create a $7 million seed fund for startups in the Midwest. Led by investor and former Techstars managing director John Fein, the fund raised $17.7 million for tech ventures in the Midwest, exceeding its initial goal by about 250 percent, said Fein. “I’m…