Storytailor

Recent Articles by Storytailor

LaunchKC finalists revealed: Kansas City newsmakers and startup stars in the making

September 5, 2018

A dozen Kansas City tech entrepreneurs are set to compete next month against a mix of firms from across the country — and one startup from Israel — in arguably the city’s most elite and hotly anticipated pitch event of the year. LaunchKC announced its 20 finalists Tuesday — each vying for their piece of…

‘Buddha was a Baller’ seeks to awaken success without overthinking, Mindsport founder says

August 31, 2018

Buddha had the mind of an athlete, said Ryan Stock. The spiritual sage on whose teachings Buddhism was founded inspired Stock, creator of the MindSport app and a former basketball coach, to put his own thoughts to paper. His book, “Buddha was a Baller,” is set for release Oct. 28, the Kansas City entrepreneur said.…

Pipeline opens applications for 2019 fellowship class, reveals three-city 1MC pitch event

August 31, 2018

An application for Pipeline’s 2019 fellowship class isn’t just about next year, said Joni Cobb — it’s an opportunity for a lifetime of support from the organization’s network of developing and top-tier entrepreneurs. “Pipeline is available for life for each entrepreneur who successfully completes the fellowship year,” said Cobb, president and CEO of Pipeline, in…

Report: Black women’s impact overlooked in KC startup community and beyond

August 30, 2018

Raise a hand if you know that black women have created more than 1 million jobs, Dell Gines challenged. A statistics-based question –– frequently answered with an expected, yet glacial silence ––  acknowledges an unprecedented phenomenon in both the small business community and within the confines of the often-exclusive startup ecosystem, said Gines, Federal Reserve…

‘Class reunion’ collides with newer generation at Top VC-Backed Companies celebration (Photos)

August 30, 2018

It was a night of old school collisions, said Adam Arredondo, bringing together founders, executives, investors and a curated group of younger startup leaders for Startland’s Top VC-Backed Companies celebration. “The energy in the room was palpable. Many people said it felt like a class reunion, which in a way it was,” added Arredondo, CEO…

Techweek KC addition: Smart City Innovation Workshop builds bottom-up brainstorming

August 30, 2018

Kansas City residents, entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and city officials plan to come together during the Smart City Innovation Workshop at Techweek KC to brainstorm solutions to day-to-day challenges using smart technology. The workshop pulls into Union Station Oct. 8 — the first day of Techweek KC, which runs through Oct. 12 and is presented by…

Plexpod offers sneak peek at new women-centric Herspace concept (Photos)

August 28, 2018

Herspace — a freshly renovated wing at Plexpod Westport Commons, part of the KC-based Plexpod coworking community — is designed for women, said Gerald Smith, and it’s a long time coming. “This is front and center. It isn’t tucked away in some far away corner of an upper floor,” said Smith, noting 90 percent of…

Former DST execs launch EDZ Systems tool to centralize law office data

August 28, 2018

A quartet of former DST Systems executives who went on to launch EDZ Systems are hoping to streamline law offices’ operations with the help of their new software. The Overland Park-based startup recently released Intelligent RMS, a software platform designed to centralize law firms’ and corporate legal departments’ data, affording clients more strategic information, said…

KC-based Make48 team films Season 3 at Baltimore makerspace

August 28, 2018

Editor’s note: Nick Ward-Bopp is a volunteer tool tech for Make48, and co-runs the MakerSpace at the Johnson County Library, helping the community use tools for digital fabrication like 3D printers and laser cutters. He spends his nights and weekends co-running Maker Village, a small wood and metal shop in Midtown Kansas City that builds…

Blake Miller’s ‘Future of Living’ podcast envisions a world changed by startups, tech, gig economy

August 27, 2018

The future is now, said Blake Miller, and it’s streaming. Kansas City IoT tech firm Homebase’s founder and CEO recently launched a podcast — “The Future of Living” — aimed at uncovering what tomorrow holds for startups, small businesses, and curious citizens alike, he explained. “You’ve got smart cities, you’ve got smart buildings — the…