Profiles

Techstars Spotlight: Ampogee ‘gamifies’ manufacturing work

By Tommy Felts / August 17, 2017

Measure. Assemble. Test. Repeat. The monotony of manufacturing jobs might make it difficult for workers to feel appreciated and recognize their impact. Ampogee’s solution: Game on. The Greensboro, North Carolina-based startup — which earned a spot on the inaugural Techstars KC cohort last month — has developed a software-as-a service platform, which “gamifies” employee performance.…

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VIDEO: Startup leaders talk KC Startup Foundation (plus bloopers)

By Tommy Felts / August 10, 2017

So, what exactly is the Kansas City Startup Foundation? For one, it is a foundation. Secondly, it involves startups. And last but not least, it serves Kansas City. If you have ever found yourself confused about what exactly the Kansas City Startup Foundation does and which programs it offers, then the video below is for…

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Students bump shoulders with architects at STEAM Studio

By Tommy Felts / August 3, 2017

Most children won’t have experience working in a professional environment until they land their first job or internship, Mandi Sonnenberg said.  “Some kids may have popped into their mom or dad’s work and have gone to a professional space at least a couple times in their life,” Sonnenberg said. “But for kids in the urban…

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Ex-detective, startup champion Donald Carter discusses mayoral run, priorities

By Tommy Felts / July 25, 2017

Community builder and former detective at the Kansas City Police Department Donald Carter has announced his candidacy for mayor for Kansas City, Mo. In March, he made national headlines (and a Startland News headline) via a random act of kindness. Carter helped raise over $15,000 for Shajuana Mays, a young woman he met behind the…

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KCultivator Q&A: Vivacious Jay Austin talks East KC, failure, Thomas Edison

By Tommy Felts / July 19, 2017

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series we’re kicking off to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check out our features on Victor & Penny’s Erin McGrane, SEED Law’s Adrienne Haynes, Code Koalas’ Robert Manigold,  Prep-KC CEO Susan Wally and community builder Donald Carter.  In 2014, eager college student Jay Austin Googled the words…

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