News

ScaleUP! KC announces eighth cohort of firms eyeing serious growth

By Tommy Felts / August 24, 2018

The ScaleUP! Kansas City program has welcomed another large batch of growing companies hoping to accelerate their businesses. ScaleUP announced Wednesday that it accepted 17 Kansas City area companies into its ranks, offering the firms mentorship, resources and connections. The new cohort of entrepreneurs represent varied industries, such as IT, wellness, landscaping, education, architecture and…

Tech First: Bank’s new pitch event aims to connect investors, startup founders

By Tommy Felts / August 24, 2018

Roots of growth and prosperity are being planted in Kansas City, furthering the advancement of the metro’s tech sector, said Rob Barker. “One of the biggest challenges for these tech companies is finding those investors to speak to,” said Barker, president – Kansas City Region of First Business Bank. First Business, locally based in Leawood,…

KCK business teacher re-imagines school space as student-led classroom coworking

By Tommy Felts / August 24, 2018

Nobody’s going to tell you what to do here, Sheyvette Dinkens said passionately. The Wyandotte High School business teacher recently began transforming her space at school into classroom coworking. “I want students to be able to guide their own education,” she said. “I want to be able to facilitate their learning, and I want them…

GXPI-led $3.25M deal pushes Kansas City IoT firm Pepper over $15M investment mark

By Tommy Felts / August 23, 2018

Pepper topped $15 million in investments this week — adding to its ownership structure through a sizeable deal led by GXPI, the investment arm of Evergy. “This strategic investment by Evergy gives us a great partner in the retail electric utility industry where IoT is beginning to play a critical role,” said Scott Ford, CEO…

Nearly $5M remains in Kansas angel tax credits as Aug 31 deadline looms; startups urged to apply

By Tommy Felts / August 23, 2018

The clock is ticking for Kansas angel tax credits to be awarded to growing startups in 2018, said Rachèll Rowand. “We are looking for innovative businesses in Kansas that are under five years old,” said Rowand, program manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce, which administers the state’s angel tax program. “The biotechnology industry is…