Corporate

David Roberson, Azella, Pure Pitch Rally

Pure Pitch Rally set for October return at Burns & Mac HQ; startups competing for $1M+ in cash, prizes

A new backer — one of Kansas City’s biggest corporate names — will help amplify the laser-focused mission of the Pure Pitch Rally, said Karen Fenaroli, announcing open applications for the 2022 startup competition. Burns & McDonnell, an industry leader in construction engineering, joins the Pure Pitch Rally as a major sponsor of the annual…

Outside look from the inside: What a visiting economic fellow found in KC (rival BBQ is just a taste)

After spending his summer in Kansas City, the metro reminds Alvin Gusman a lot of his hometown, Austin, he said. The Texas A&M student is in the last two weeks of his 10-week Equity in Economic Development Fellowship with the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), reflecting on the experience. “I’ve actually really enjoyed…

KC wants to be the nation’s most equitable hub for biologics; prestigious MIT pick could help

Biologics is the entryway to personalized medicine, said Sonia Hall, and Kansas City is aiming to create the most inclusive hub for the development, production and distribution of biologics as part of its acceptance to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program.  “When you talk about personalized medicine, you’re talking about greater equity…

Kansas City corporate leader works to take ClimateTech from research to the real world 

The solar canopy at Operation Breakthrough’s high-profile STEM lab and youth coworking space was an opportunity for Black & Veatch to put one of the firm’s core capabilities to use for the community and the climate, said Ilya Tabakh. “[Our goal was] to support an initiative that supports STEM education, combines sustainability and technology, and…

Wendy Guillies, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman leader: Our economy can’t afford to leave half the population behind; there’s a new way forward

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Wendy Guillies is president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Startland News is financially supported by the Kauffman Foundation and other sponsors. This commentary originally appeared in The Hill. I am not oblivious to the political divisions that dominate national news outlet…