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Eze Redwood, Rise Fast

Challenging the notion of ‘entitled millennials,’ Rise Fast empowers young people

By Tommy Felts / January 19, 2017

When the economy took a turn for the worst in 2008, many millennials saw their parents and grandparents laid off by companies they’d been loyal to for years. Eze Redwood said that although it’s easy to gloss over the impact that traumatic events have on a generation’s psyche, young professionals carry the weight of this…

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As engagement grows, KC Women in Technology gears up for 2017

By Tommy Felts / January 19, 2017

Imagine if the next Mark Zuckerberg was a young female living in Kansas City. Despite an interest and aptitude in technology, imagine she walks into a popular clothing store and seeing a shirt that reads: “I’m too pretty to do math.” Subliminal messages such as this are not an uncommon occurrence for many young women.…

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Kansas City city hall

KC programs become semifinalists in Harvard innovation contest

By Tommy Felts / January 19, 2017

Harvard University has recognized two Kansas City initiatives as semifinalists in the school’s Innovations in American Government Awards competition. Led by the City of Kansas City, Mo., the Community Improvement District Revolving Loan Fund and Women’s Empowerment initiative both are among 100 programs vying for a shot to become finalists and the $100,000 grand prize.…

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The Lean Lab continues to make an impact in KC education

By Tommy Felts / January 18, 2017

As the Lean Lab looks back on its third year, co-founder Katie Boody said the program is “just getting started.” Launched in 2013, the Kansas City-based education tech incubator engaged over 900 individuals in conversation on education innovation in 2016. In addition, last year marked the organization’s first step to go international, attracting entrepreneurs that…

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Firebrand Ventures partners with UMKC to cultivate entrepreneurs

By Tommy Felts / January 18, 2017

Firebrand Ventures has partnered with the University of Missouri-Kansas City to help local startup entrepreneurs. As part of the agreement, the Kansas City-based fund will offer graduates of UMKC’s E-Scholars program an opportunity to receive an investment from Firebrand starting in 2017. Housed under UMKC’s Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (RIEI), E-Scholars offers students…

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Report: Kansas City’s VC funding rank improves among Midwest cities

By Tommy Felts / January 18, 2017

Editor’s note: Brian Matthews is a guest author to Startland News and co-founded Cultivation Capital. Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. When assessing the vitality of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, an important factor to consider is the Total Venture Funds Raised by the startups within that city or region. This metric provides an…

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Experts weigh in: Why do StartupNames Alwayz Loook Lyke Dis?

By Tommy Felts / January 17, 2017

At times, it seems like startups are waging war on the English language. From merged words to missing vowels to what appears to onomatopoeia, startup names can be as creative as they are baffling. “It’s almost as if everyone is rebelling against Webster’s dictionary,” said Anita Newton, vice president of marketing at AdParlor. So, what’s…

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Events Preview: KC Women in Tech, Lean Lab Happy Hour

By Tommy Felts / January 16, 2017

There are a plethora of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious community member — we recommend these upcoming events for you. Weekly Events Preview Winning Federal Research Grants When: Jan. 18, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Where: UMKC SBTDC This introductory seminar explains how…

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ECJC offering dozens of entrepreneurial education events in 2017

By Tommy Felts / January 16, 2017

The Enterprise Center in Johnson County has a jammed packed schedule of over 50 workshops for Kansas City entrepreneurs in 2017. “We are lucky to have the support of dozens of volunteer service providers who take time away from their own jobs and businesses to share their expertise with entrepreneurs,” ECJC vice president of communications…

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With a focus on fashion education, Sock 101 rebrands to School of Sock

By Tommy Felts / January 16, 2017

A growing Kansas City fashion firm is restitching its public image. With a broader focus and new expansion plan, Sock 101 is rebranding to become School of Sock. The company — which began with a la carte and “Sock of the Month Club” options — is changing up its name to reflect its goals to…

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