Guest Authors

Fundraising, For Real: Can convertible notes kill a deal in the Midwest?  

By Tommy Felts / September 16, 2019

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Laura McCoolidge is managing partner at the Sofia Fund, which recently expanded its reach to Kansas City. [divide] Religion. Gun control. Politics. Convertible notes. Why are convertible notes so controversial? Despite the controversy, this instrument has proven popular as a means for working…

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KC Fed: We can fix the digital divide (and solutions come without a high cost)

By Tommy Felts / September 10, 2019

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Jeremy Hegle is senior community development advisor at Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. [divide] Some issues affecting the digital divide are complex — expanding availability of affordable broadband, for example, requires government policy, technology, and lots of money.  It can seem daunting…

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3 ways Kansas City’s corporate leaders can support local startups

By Tommy Felts / September 4, 2019

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Martha Salinas is an executive with Overland Park-based MSTS. [divide] The world’s largest companies are often associated with high-rise offices and massive workforces. But behind most success stories are humble beginnings. Amazon, for example, was started in Jeff Bezos’ garage before becoming the…

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Earn-out exit: Beware a startup sale price hinging on future performance, attorney cautions

By Tommy Felts / July 31, 2019

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Todd McGuire is a partner at Stueve Siegel Hanson law firm in Kansas City. He focuses on cases involving business torts, contract disputes, employment matters and other civil claims. [divide] As an entrepreneur, you likely envision one day moving beyond your current business.…

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Cutting the card in a digital world? Behold the staying power of the analog business card

By Tommy Felts / July 2, 2019

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. [divide] Anyone remember Bump? You might not, but the ultra-popular app has about 125 million downloads since its debut in 2009. Free for both Android and iPhone, the app allowed you to instantly share your contact information by literally “bumping” your smartphones together…

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