All Stories

Questioning 1:1 initiatives: Tech devices don’t equal innovation, disillusioned parents argue

By Tommy Felts / February 19, 2019

[Editor’s note: The following is part of a limited Startland series, exploring parent advocates’ objections to 1:1 technology initiatives, which typically put a tablet device in the hands of each student and are popularly used as classroom innovation models across Kansas City and the nation.] A $20 million investment in tech-forward learning environments for the…

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Erika Klotz and Scott Hansen, Recruit PopBookings

New Recruit self-service event staffing platform puts KC’s PopBookings in the big game

By Tommy Felts / February 18, 2019

While the Kansas City Chiefs might have narrowly missed their shot at the 2019 Super Bowl, the city was well represented as a source for event staffing at the game, revealed Erika Klotz, noting the power of Recruit, a new product from KC-based PopBookings. A client used the self-service platform to book 288 shifts for…

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Nia Richardson, KC Bizcare

KCultivator Q&A: Nia Richardson an architect of startup support ‘born, made and raised on Prospect’

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2019

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Experience the world, engage with community, and execute ideas to get ahead — not only in life, but in building a legacy that stands the test of time, said Nia Richardson. A product of Kansas City Public…

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RUMBLE

IoT panel to startups: Demystify emerging tech and take risks, but prepare to fail fast

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2019

Entrepreneurs often get lost in the hype of emerging technologies like the Internet of Things, failing to effectively integrate new tech into their startups, said Don Sharp. “Whether it’s the latest, greatest thing or not — it’s no different than any other tool,” said Sharp, CEO of St. Louis-based Coolfire Solutions and panelist at RUMBLE’s…

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Rick Vaughn, Mid America Angels

Top founder salutes Rick Vaughn: A mustached hero with a herculean task

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2019

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. The dude is amazing; the dude is a legend. He rocks a mustache and his name is Rick Vaughn. If you don’t know him, it’s too late. He’s already gone. Well, not quite gone; this isn’t an obituary. Rick is just retiring from…

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Davin Gordon, Courtney Windholz, and John Coler, Centurions

Startup community organizers named to Chamber’s new Centurions class

By Tommy Felts / February 15, 2019

A trio of faces familiar within the Kansas City startup community have joined the city’s oldest and premier leadership development program. The 35-member list of incoming Centurions — which includes John Coler, product owner at RFP360 and Startup Weekend organizer; Davin Gordon, business development officer at AltCap; and Courtney Windholz, COO at PROOF and former 1…

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Matt Watson and Matt DeCoursey, Full Scale

Full Scale pledges to invest $1M of its development resources in KC startups in 2019

By Tommy Felts / February 14, 2019

Editor’s note: Full Scale is a partner of the Kansas City Startup Foundation and Startland News. The following content was independently produced by Startland News. Development help often can be more valuable to an early stage startup than simply opening a checkbook, said Matt DeCoursey, announcing Full Scale’s commitment to investing $1 million of its…

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George Hansen, president and CEO,the Enterprise Center in Johnson County

Proactive hometown company-building will cross county, state lines with Fountain Innovation Fund, ECJC leader says

By Tommy Felts / February 14, 2019

It’s time for Kansas City stakeholders to stop waiting for coastal companies to “save the day,” said George Hansen. “We spend a great deal of tax dollars trying to entice companies to move here with their workforce,” Hansen, president and CEO of the Enterprise Center in Johnson County, told a crowd of about 100 gathered…

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Kauffman Capital Access Lab

Kauffman launching Capital Access Lab investment pipeline for underserved entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / February 13, 2019

Every new business should have a fighting chance at success — regardless of the entrepreneur’s background, said Victor Hwang, announcing a new Capital Access Lab to address opportunity gaps in Kansas City and across the U.S. “It is up to us to collectively break down systematic barriers to entry that adversely impact people of color,…

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Sandy Kemper, C2FO unicorn

Hunting unicorns: C2FO spotlighted as startup likely to reach $1B valuation

By Tommy Felts / February 12, 2019

Leawood-based C2FO is among the nation’s highest-momentum startups, according to CB Insights and The New York Times, which teamed up to name 50 “future unicorns.” The U.S. companies on the list — which analysts involved predict will eventually be valued at $1 billion or more — largely are based on the coasts. Twenty-two are in…

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