News

Co-founder trio invests $4.75M in KC RentTech startup Simplifyy, aiming for 500 percent growth in use

By Tommy Felts / November 2, 2019

It’s about motivation, said Robert Henrichs, describing the co-founders of Kansas City-based Simplifyy’s decision to invest $4.75 million in the RentTech startup. “There is a lot of confidence around the venture because the founders have years of industry experience and recognize it is primed for disruption,” said Henrichs, who is responsible for marketing at Simplifyy.…

Read More >
ADOBO

Venture deal rooted in Kauffman Fellows aligns Novel Growth, Flyover Capital behind Wisconsin urban tech startup

By Tommy Felts / October 31, 2019

Two funds are better than one, Carlos Antequera said, announcing a one-of-a-kind partnership between top venture firms with Kauffman Fellows roots.  “Since our inception, our mission has been to provide innovative growth capital options for technology entrepreneurs,” Antequera, co-founder of Novel Growth Partners, said of the Mission, Kansas, revenue-based financing firm’s collaboration with Overland Park-based…

Read More >
Maleika Robinson, Eastside Collaborative, Blacktech Weekend 2018

Collaboration Awaits: Blacktech Weekend aims to connect black innovators with a lasting network

By Tommy Felts / October 31, 2019

The most important aspect of Blacktech Weekend’s return to Kansas City Friday: connecting individuals from different segments of the entrepreneur cityscape, said Denayja Reese. “Across industries, we want them to collaborate with each other and continue to build community as well as bring in folks who are outside of the community into the fold,” said…

Read More >
Lindsey Branding, BacklotCars

New in KC: BacklotCars funding round lures Windy City tech talent back to KC

By Tommy Felts / October 31, 2019

Editor’s note: New in KC is an ongoing profile series that highlights newly relocated members of the Kansas City startup community, their reasons for a change of scenery, and what they’ve found so far in KC. Click here to read more New in KC profiles. As Kansas City’s startup scene came online in 2012, Lindsey…

Read More >
Katy Ibsen, founder, Sweet Jane

Lawrence-based Sweet Jane magazine offers safe space for women to get candid about cannabis

By Tommy Felts / October 29, 2019

Satisfying her own curiosity, Katy Ibsen penned an article on cannabis opportunities for publishers.  “There were niche magazines being published, there were B2B magazines being published, there was ‘High Times’ and ‘Dope,’” Ibsen, now founder, editor and publisher of Sweet Jane magazine, said of her research for the piece.  A 10-year publishing vet with a…

Read More >