Profiles

Humanizing text analysis, Stride marches to international growth

By Tommy Felts / December 2, 2016

Computers can do a lot these days, but they can’t process feelings. After all, that’s what sets humans apart from machine — right? Not necessarily it seems, as one Kansas-City based artificial intelligence firm is challenging that notion with its text-analyzing tech that not only identifies subjects but also a writer’s sentiment. A graduate of…

Read More >

With KC startup Edcoda, students learn as wizard saviors

By Tommy Felts / December 1, 2016

Across the U.S., student engagement is declining. By the time students reach high school, 2 out of 3 them will become disengaged, according to Gallup’s 2015 figures. But one Kansas City-based startup is working to change that by making fun a top priority. Edtech startup Edcoda created the 3D, online role-playing game Coda Quest, which…

Read More >

MECA Challenge pushes area students to think more entrepreneurially

By Tommy Felts / November 9, 2016

Editor’s note: Startland News is an affiliate organization of MECA Challenge, both of which are operated by CEED LLC.  A competition that challenges students to solve startups’ business problems is gaining traction in Kansas City. MECA Challenge is an entrepreneurial problem-solving contest for high school- and college-aged students that aims to transform education and produce…

Read More >

Grant Gooding delivers 8 key ingredients to a killer pitch

By Tommy Felts / November 8, 2016

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Check out more from Grant Gooding here. Recently I worked with some startups for LaunchKC and several folks asked me if I had my pitch “system” written down. I hadn’t, so I thought it was time I did. To be fair, you will…

Read More >

A chip on former Mizzou receiver Tommy Saunders’ shoulder fuels his fitness tech firm

By Tommy Felts / October 27, 2016

Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by LaunchKC but independently produced by Startland News. “This is for everyone who doubted me.” That’s a phrase Tommy Saunders has been saying to himself for years. Saunders said it after being denied scholarship offers and earned a walk-on spot as a wide receiver for the University of Missouri.…

Read More >