All Stories

Village Square

KCSF pivoting away from Village Square coworking, eyes bigger community impact

By Tommy Felts / June 15, 2018

Village Square developed a waiting list soon after opening in 2015, said Adam Arredondo. But as larger coworking spaces with more amenities and resources debuted, interest waned in the 3,000-square-foot operation at 45th Street and State Line Road. “What’s our most valuable contribution to the community right now?” said Arredondo, CEO of the nonprofit Kansas…

Read More >
TripSushi

Beyond KC: TripSushi puts secret hotspots, meaningful travel experiences on the menu

By Tommy Felts / June 14, 2018

Life is short, said Spencer Carlson — you have just one chance to knock out as much on your to-do list as possible. For the founder of TripSushi, a KC-based travel agency, that meant soaking in and connecting to peoples and locales across the globe, he said. “[We] need to experience other cultures so that…

Read More >
Eastside Collaborative

Eastside Collaborative coworking space envisions a home for black entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / June 13, 2018

Stay on the lookout for Eastside Collaborative, said Maleika Robinson. Recognizing a need for a coworking space specifically for black entrepreneurs, Robinson founded Eastside Collaborative in early 2018 after rebranding the KC Black Coworking Community. Eastside operates from within Uzazi Village on Tuesdays and creates an environment where she and others can be their authentic…

Read More >

1 Million Cups KC move to Plexpod Westport Commons percolating

By Tommy Felts / June 13, 2018

1 Million Cups — Kansas City’s most-popular entrepreneur event series — is brewing a move to the area’s largest coworking community. After six years of hosting the entrepreneurial showcase event at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 1MCKC is moving its weekly program to Plexpod Westport Commons. 1 Million Cups began in Kansas City in April…

Read More >
Ainstein Jetpack Aviation

Lawrence-based Ainstein taking flight with jetpack founder in Red Bull Air Race

By Tommy Felts / June 12, 2018

When the founder of JetPack Aviation blasts to the sky later this month in Red Bull’s Air Race World Championship, it will be a testament to the innovation and quality at Ainstein, a Kansas radar tech firm, said Bryan C. Boots. “Although our products are widely deployed today in unmanned aviation (drone) applications, this will…

Read More >
CoreBuild

Frank Keck: How intentional is your workplace culture?

By Tommy Felts / June 11, 2018

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary about workplace culture are the author’s alone. How do you build an organization that performs at a high level and attracts your industry’s top talent? Is there a proven way to help strengthen your business, increase productivity and prepare for growth? Does teamwork have something to do…

Read More >
CreativeMornings Kansas City

CreativeMornings KC relaunches with art culture, business community in focus

By Tommy Felts / June 11, 2018

Artists are George Brooks’ people, the Crema co-founder and a co-host of the newly relaunched CreativeMornings KC guild said. “I love that CreativeMornings fosters the idea that we can all view our work, hobbies, and life through lenses of creativity,” Brooks said. “By bringing together a community of people who value creativity, it bridges the…

Read More >

Advancing women as important now as ever, says STEMMy Awards leader

By Tommy Felts / June 8, 2018

Women leave tech-intensive industries at a higher rate than their male counterparts because of a lack of encouragement and support, said Renee Keffer, citing a 2014 report by Catalyst. The fifth annual STEMMy Awards Gala aims to change that narrative in Kansas City, Keffer, co-chair of the event, said, but organizers need help: Nominations remain…

Read More >
Philip Gaskin, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman Foundation’s Philip Gaskin sees entrepreneur ecosystems in the humble snowflake

By Tommy Felts / June 8, 2018

Editor’s note: This content was sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation but independently produced by Startland News. When it comes to developing a startup, there’s no better training ground than a political campaign, Philip Gaskin said. “You’re building movements of people to do extraordinary things,” said Gaskin, director of entrepreneurial communities and chief of…

Read More >
Kate Spade Kyle Smith

Kyle J Smith: Creating hope in a dark place; a reflection on the passing of Kate Spade

By Tommy Felts / June 8, 2018

Editor’s note: Kyle J Smith, an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in Kansas City, reflects on fashion designer Kate Spade, 55, who died Tuesday of suicide. Born Katherine Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri, she went on to build a widely successful business and brand that carried her name. My heart broke when I heard about Kate Spade’s…

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.