KC Outpost at SXSW: LaunchKC sparking interest in Kansas City-fueled Next-Gen tech talk
March 7, 2019 | Startland News Staff
LaunchKC has landed in Austin for SXSW and is planting a flag in the ground for Kansas City this weekend, said Drew Solomon.
Now in its fifth year as an industry focused accelerator for tech startups, LaunchKC attracts hundreds of entrepreneurs each year to apply and compete for $500,000 in grants, and the opportunity to build their businesses in Kansas City. LaunchKC is a civic engine in the Kansas City startup space. LaunchKC is an initiative of the Downtown Council and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri.
Set for Sunday at the popular bar Maggie Mae’s in Austin, KC Outpost returns with presentations featuring expert speakers from Virgin Hyperloop One, Garmin, FishTech Group, Mastercard and other high-profile organizations, said Solomon, chair of the LaunchKC program.
“KC Outpost provides the platform to promote the LaunchKC program and the Kansas City community as a destination for entrepreneurs and tech companies,” he added. “We continue to demonstrate why Kansas City is a great place to start and grow your next venture.”
Experts at the day-long event are expected to discuss tech-driven solutions for cities, including high-speed transportation, smart city technology, cybersecurity innovations and talent attraction — all pressing issues at home, as well as across the country, KC organizers said.
Click here for more info on Outpost KC.
“Kansas City is an established hub for tech talent with a strong entrepreneurial legacy and vibrant start up culture,” said Tim Cowden, CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC). “This event is a showcase for innovations being tested and rolled out in KC, including hyperloop, cybersecurity and smart city technologies.”
Organized by LaunchKC, KCADC, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the program is set to include:
- 9 a.m. — How “smart city” programs are transforming American cities — Bob Bennett, chief information officer, City of Kansas City, Missouri; Ruthbea Clarke Yesner, vice president of Smart Cities, International Data Corporation (IDC); Gordon Feller, founder, Meeting of the Minds; and Miguel Gamiño Jr., EVP, head of Global Cities, Mastercard.
- 10 a.m. — New ways to attract (and keep) talented tech workers — Sara Slocum, recruiting team leader, Garmin Ltd.; Molly Weaver, talent acquisition director, Children’s Mercy Hospital; and Jessica Palm, vice president, lead executive, Team KC: Life + Talent, KCADC.
- 11 a.m. — Fireside chat: Fostering diversity and inclusion in 2019 and beyond – Dell Gines, senior community development advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City; and Rodney Sampson, chairman and CEO, Opportunity Hub.
- Noon — U.S. whiskey rebounds; demo and tasting — Ryan Maybee, co-founder, J. Rieger & Co.
- 1 p.m. — Cybersecurity: Critical issues to watch in 2019 — Eric Foster, COO, CYDERES/Fishtech Group; Chris Lalonde, COO, Wickr; and Jason Zann, vice president, head of platform, RiskIQ.
- 2 p.m. — Will hyperloop transform the way we travel? — Diana Zhou, director of project strategy, Virgin Hyperloop One; Drew Thompson, director, Black & Veatch; Ryan Weber, president, KC Tech Council; and Christine Murray, senior vice president, managing director, Fenaroli & Associates.
- 4:30 p.m. — Top five finalists from the “Startup of the Year” competition pitch — Contenders attempt to win a fast-track opportunity to the Startup of the Year fall event and a $1,000 prize from LaunchKC.
To track Kansas City’s journey at SXSW, follow along at #SXSWKC
Featured Business
2019 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Report: Kansas City startups snagging more dough in 2016
Kansas City has made significant strides when it comes to improving access to early-stage capital, though its relative volume still lags other startup hubs, according to a recent report. In the first three months of 2016, Kansas City has boosted its total capital raised by about 297 percent when compared to the same time period…
Fund me, KC: MyCroft AI to take on Amazon Echo, Siri
Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like MyCroft AI CEO Joshua Montgomery — to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by…
The Lean Lab partners with 4.0 Schools to innovate KC education
More than 100 years ago, our education system was designed and built to prepare an early-1900s workforce for the industrial age. Today, children are learning with iPads and Youtube, but the bones of the traditional liberal arts structure remain similar to what our great-grandparents experienced. Local education innovation incubator The Lean Lab hopes to change…
Google Fiber nixes free Internet offering in Kansas City
It’s often said there’s no such thing as a free lunch. And in Google’s case, there’s no such thing a free fiber connection — at least anymore. The tech titan last week nixed its free Internet offering, which dished out download speeds of 5 megabits-per-second and upload speeds of 1 mbps. Google has offered the…