All Stories

Flow Forward

Fresh funding brings Flow Forward to $8M in capital; pushes startup closer to first human clinical trials

By Tommy Felts / September 26, 2018

An additional $1.2 million in Series A financing puts Fairway-based medical technology company Flow Forward closer to human clinical trials for hemodialysis patients, said Dr. Nicholas Franano. The new investment — from a group of investors, including Mid-America Angels — brings Flow Forward’s total funding raised to date to more than $8 million, said Franano,…

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Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center

Freelance Exchange plans expo for gig-economy creators, panel on hiring solopreneurs

By Tommy Felts / September 26, 2018

An expo this week in Johnson County will put the work of freelance creators on display, as well as offer insight into the minds of Kansas City solopreneurs, said Cami Travis-Groves. The FX Portfolio Showcase — set for 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center — is expected to…

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April Seggebruch and Stan Zylowski, Movista

Movista exit: Mid-America Angels portfolio firm scores $12M growth equity investment

By Tommy Felts / September 26, 2018

A $12 million Series A growth equity investment in Movista is a significant win for Mid-America Angels, as well as for the region, said Laura McCoolidge. The Arkansas-based startup — which uses a mobile-first, real-time platform to power labor and workforce management software for retailers, manufacturers, and service providers — is among the leading portfolio…

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Startup Crawl returning Oct 5 for First Friday with festival-style entertainment, innovation

By Tommy Felts / September 25, 2018

Editor’s note: Startup Crawl and Startland News are both programs of the Kansas City Startup Foundation, though the content below was produced independently by Startland. Startup Crawl has a carnival feel to it, said Lauren Conaway, noting the returning event is positioned to help startups collide with people who wouldn’t typically encounter the early-stage businesses.…

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Goodwill

MECA students to Goodwill: Everyone has a mission now — what else are you selling?

By Tommy Felts / September 25, 2018

Editor’s note: MECA Challenge and Startland News are both programs of the Kansas City Startup Foundation, though the content below was produced independently by Startland. For more information on the relationship, click here. Goodwill must innovate and change with the times if it’s going to survive after 125 years in business, said Ed Lada. “The…

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Glen Dakan, Prestio, and Ryan Matt, Matt Ford

Prestio drives users to auto dealerships without traditional car buying pain points

By Tommy Felts / September 25, 2018

Gone are the days of traditional car buying for Ben Anderson, the first customer of Kansas City-based startup Prestio. Anderson, an accounting professional at CBIZ, had grown deeply frustrated by auto dealerships, he said. In fall 2017, he turned to Prestio –– a first-of-its-kind software-as-a-service platform that allows customers to buy, trade, and finance vehicle purchases…

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George Brooks, Crema

Crema co-founder details expansion experiment at Thinking Bigger breakfast

By Tommy Felts / September 25, 2018

Crema’s work is all about proximity, said George Brooks, seeking to clarify potential misperceptions about the digital product agency’s foray into markets outside Kansas City. “We’ve been running an experiment,” the Crema co-founder told a crowd at Thinking Bigger Business Media’s recent Big Breakfast. “We’re from Kansas City, but probably 80 percent of our clients…

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Techweek 100 list

Techweek 100 list released: Dozens of KC’s top cultivators, ambassadors and innovators

By Tommy Felts / September 22, 2018

Techweek Kansas City on Friday released its Techweek 100 list of the premier leaders pushing innovation in Kansas City. The collection of cultivators, ambassadors and innovators is a who’s who of familiar names across the startup, entrepreneurship and tech communities. Released in the runup to Techweek KC’s Oct. 8-12 festivities, the list isn’t a ranking,…

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self-driving cars

Self-driving cars deliver unexpected challenges, says Burns & McDonnell strategist

By Tommy Felts / September 21, 2018

City streets filled with safer, automated or self-driving vehicles would come with an unexpected price tag: fewer organ donations because of reduced traffic fatalities, said Julie Lorenz, discussing the promise and paradox of evolving transportation technology. “If you look back in history, it can help you think about the future,” said Lorenz, strategic consultant for…

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Davin Gordon, AltCap Your Biz

Not high-growth or a tech startup? AltCap Your Biz $10K prize could be the boost you need

By Tommy Felts / September 21, 2018

A $10,000 prize can mean a world of difference for the right entrepreneurial dream, said Davin Gordon. “There’s not a ton of opportunities for small businesses to not only pitch their business and go through that process, but actually have an opportunity to win some money,” he said. Entering its fourth year on the startup…

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