Opinion

Deacon: Kansas City evolving into a digital laboratory

By Tommy Felts / January 4, 2016

Cities have become veritable technology ecosystems where data is amassed from almost everything, from air quality and rainfall patterns to traffic flow and the availability of parking spaces. As we become more familiar with the all-encompassing term “smart city,” we can begin to experiment with the futuristic-but-practical applications for all this data, creating the concept of…

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The WTF Series: Star Wars tech guide

By Tommy Felts / December 22, 2015

On a daily basis, Ben Kittrell translates the jargon-filled world of technology for clients of his tech consultancy. The Words that Frustrate (WTF) series aims to offer readers some clarity in an industry dominated by techies’ confusing argot. In this special edition, Ben geeks out over Star Wars tech as the franchise’s latest installment thrills audiences around…

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(S)heStarts: Define yourself and your startup on your own terms

By Tommy Felts / December 18, 2015

At a recent One Million Cups gathering at the Kauffman Foundation, Little Hoots founder Lacey Ellis discussed lessons learned since launching her company. It had been almost a year since she first presented at the pitch event, and one of her primary lessons is sound advice for startup founders. “When you’re first starting out, you’re…

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Funding roundtable: ‘You can’t fake it’ and more funding advice from KC founders

By Tommy Felts / December 15, 2015

Your company is steadily growing, but it looks like you’re nearing a plateau. [pullquote]“It also takes grit. It takes an unbelievable amount of fortitude just knowing that you’ll never give up. It’s possible.” – Brock Stechman, co-founder of DivvyHQ[/pullquote] Perhaps your startup is doing just fine, but a well-heeled competitor just entered your market and slapped a…

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Subjective language is making your elevator pitch completely forgettable

By Tommy Felts / December 14, 2015

[pullquote]”Subjective language is usually used in elevator pitches when businesses try to point out a perceived advantage in the market.  This usually manifests itself as an ignorable [statement] …” – Grant Gooding[/pullquote] Your elevator pitch is the single most important communication of you or your business and why you are relevant. Last month I wrote…

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