News

Jesse Mendez and Frances Alaniz-Mendez, Birrieria Tlaquepaque y Mas

Pop-up spotlights Latinx + Chicanx makers and culture with plans to expand ahead

By Tommy Felts / April 20, 2021

Aromas of authentic Mexican tacos and quesadillas greeted visitors at the Latinx + Chicanx Vendors, Makers and Artists Pop-Up Event hosted by the Latino Arts Foundation this past Saturday. “It’s been a tremendous day — we’ve been nonstop. But I love getting to meet a lot of different people and share our authentic Mexican food…

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Matt Watson, Stackify

How one KC founder earned two exits before hitting 40 (Hint: Make time or don’t start)

By Tommy Felts / April 20, 2021

Ten years after his first startup exit, Matt Watson finds himself at the finish line once again.  “This time was a lot different than the last,” Watson, founder and CEO of Stackify, told Startland News, comparing his run with the APM solutions startup to his tenure as co-founder and CTO at VinSolutions — the startup that…

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How can edtech startups tell if their products work? LEANLAB partners research tech use in real KC classrooms

By Tommy Felts / April 20, 2021

A rebooted accelerator concept for LEANLAB Education put four edtech companies into Kansas City classrooms this spring — focusing more on helping founders conduct research on their products inside of schools and de-emphasizing previous entrepreneur training aspects of LEANLAB’s programming. “As the first program of its kind in the U.S., this inaugural cohort represents a turning…

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Matt Watson, Stackify

Stackify sells to West Coast competitor; stacking another exit for startup veteran Matt Watson

By Tommy Felts / April 20, 2021

Two of the country’s fastest growing companies have joined forces as Leawood-built Stackify reaches its exit, the tech startup announced Tuesday. Huntington Beach, California-based Netreo has acquired the company in an undisclosed deal, expected to enhance the IT infrastructure management (ITIM) platform’s full-stack IT monitoring and AIOps offerings — significantly boosting its overall customer experience. …

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Neelima Parasker, SnapIT Solutions

SnapIT sees 100 percent jump in female tech students; builds on ‘Future of Work’ summit

By Tommy Felts / April 17, 2021

As the job market shifts in a post-pandemic world, an Overland Park company reports virtual training options and changes in coastal employer mindsets have opened access for women in tech like never before. “COVID created a situation where working from home has become a long-term solution, leading to more opportunities for the Midwest [talent overall],”…

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