All Stories

Phil and Elizabeth Glynn, Travois

Travois earns rare B-Corp status for longtime work to ‘fill the gaps’ caused by 200 years of broken promises to Indian Country

By Tommy Felts / July 9, 2019

Obtaining one of the world’s top scores as a Certified B Corporation is just the beginning for Kansas City-cultivated Travois.  “Part of why we are different is because [the product] we have and offer is really impactful,” Elizabeth Glynn, CEO, said in explanation of how Travois — a company that promotes housing and economic development…

Read More >
Bob Langenkamp, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri

EDCKC touts five years of economic development as president and CEO departs

By Tommy Felts / July 6, 2019

When Bob Langenkamp was approached in 2014 about leading the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, momentum was building for a city on the cusp of a World Series win, economic revitalization and revived civic pride. “It’s been a great run,” said Langenkamp, reflecting on his tenure as president and CEO of EDCKC. With…

Read More >
Lauren Lawrence, Stenovate, photo by Mikaela Wendel Photography

Stenovate lands first big investor; founder credits ‘stepping stones’ of KC startup resources

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2019

Hold your head high, be eager, and embrace the startup community that surrounds you, Lauren Lawrence said as the first outside investor calls on her Kansas City-filed tech startup, Stenovate.  “The first person to really take a risk on you as an outside investor who’s not your mom and dad … they’re always a significant…

Read More >
Keystone Kevin McGinnis

KCultivator Q&A: Kevin McGinnis talks Keystone innovation, best steaks in KC, the word he hates most

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2019

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 Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. Years before his tenure as a Sprint executive-turned-startup leader, Kevin McGinnis was…

Read More >
David Hensley, Bar K Dog Bar

People’s Choice startup Bar K Dog Bar planning new locations across the Midwest (and beyond)

By Tommy Felts / July 5, 2019

After less than a year serving Frisbees and drinks along Kansas City’s riverfront, Bar K Dog Bar has a treat for two other Midwest markets: plans to expand the premier pet experience space to St. Louis and Oklahoma City. “Our ultimate goal is to be in five markets in the next three years and 10…

Read More >
Glen Dakan, Liquify Group, Prestio

US veterans-turned-founders find natural transition, freedom in life as entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / July 4, 2019

Military service offers parallels to entrepreneurships — whether engaged in battle or a boardroom, said Andrew Belt.  “One of the things that has always helped me in operating my business is my ability to analyze the environment and be vigilant,” said Belt, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and serial entrepreneur behind Lenexa-based property services firm…

Read More >

Startup synergy: Native Hemp Co opening retail store in former downtown MADE flagship store

By Tommy Felts / July 3, 2019

A grand adventure awaits Kansas City-baked Native Hemp Co., as the cannabis company reaches new heights and sets up shop with its first retail location.  “I have a family all across the world now and it’s been so much fun,” Rich Dunfield, founder of Native Hemp Co., said of the company’s trajectory and success ahead…

Read More >

iShare Medical working with VA, Medicare, Medicaid to improve patient outcomes, reduce cost of care

By Tommy Felts / July 3, 2019

Medical errors shouldn’t be among the leading causes of death in a country as developed as the United States, said Linda Van Horn, especially when failure to communicate critical information across platforms is to blame. “It’s unacceptable to make mistakes, just because the information is not readily available to the provider, the doctor or the…

Read More >
railroad fishtech app

Railroad remedy: Fishtech-backed app could bring added efficiency to local transit system

By Tommy Felts / July 3, 2019

What started out as a joke between coworkers at Fishtech Group, could solve a community-wide pain point in Martin City — and beyond, explained Michael Wilson.  “Every single day there’d be a train come by, blowing its horn, interrupting us on conference calls and they would also make a lot of people late for meetings,”…

Read More >
Kelly Sievers, Women’s Capital Connection

Q&A: Startup life isn’t all risk-taking and sexy, big-name investors, Kelly Sievers says

By Tommy Felts / July 2, 2019

Investing doesn’t just hinge a dollar amount, said Kelly Sievers. “It’s also about finding the right kind of funding for your business,” the Women’s Capital Connection managing director told 26 small business owners at a recent Kansas City SCORE mentoring event.  Sievers, an entrepreneurial advisor for the Women’s Business Center, has owned, operated and sold…

Read More >
1MC-Digital-Attend-2460x318px-v1
Founders-Club-Banner-Ad-2

Join Founder's Club – Support Our Mission

Enjoy access to our email newsletter, members only Slack community, exclusive events and other member perks.