News

Google, Techstars partner to lower barriers for March 23-25 Startup Weekend

By Tommy Felts / March 5, 2018

A new partnership with Google will allow Techstars to present this month’s Startup Weekend free of charge to Kansas City participants, said John Coler. “It opens up the opportunity to reduce the barrier for entry for those who either would not usually use their discretionary income or (do not) have the ability to pay for…

Food, IoT, blockchain and AgTech startups join 2018 Sprint Accelerator class

By Tommy Felts / March 5, 2018

With its fifth cohort of early-stage firms, the Sprint Accelerator scoured the globe for a brood of ag, food and tech startups that aim to leverage area corporate partnerships. The Crossroads Arts District-based accelerator announced on Monday nine new startups that will participate in its 90-day, mentor-driven program. The accelerator pairs startups with wireless carrier…

Rockhurst’s Meet the Makers: Look beyond the cubicle walls

By Tommy Felts / March 3, 2018

Don’t ignore magical timing within the entrepreneur community, said marketing manager-turned-children’s book author Audrey Masoner. “Kansas City is a place where anything can happen, and you really want to keep your eyes open for connections,” Masoner told a crowd gathered Wednesday for Rockhurst University’s Meet the Makers speaker series. “It’s small enough to be very…

Chef Celina Tio embraces her celebrity brand, welcomes disruptive discomfort

By Tommy Felts / March 2, 2018

Sitting down to discuss her career a few hours before a Thursday evening rush at The Belfry, celebrity chef and entrepreneur Celina Tio is all business. She’s heard (and answered) every biographical question before. Yet Tio’s eyes gleam and a smile quickly spreads across her face when the conversation turns to her customers at the…

Garmin CEO reveals startup origins, tech hiring challenges, culture of innovation

By Tommy Felts / March 2, 2018

It began like any other startup, said Clifton Pemble, Garmin’s sixth employee and now CEO of the $11 billion GPS tech firm. “I joined Garmin and it was literally just days later that we were gathered in a little place over at 95th and Pflumm — two rooms in a small strip mall kind of…