Startups

Brendan Reilly, Dan Scott and Richard Neal, Lelex Prime

Time to see green: 3 startups spring into Digital Sandbox KC proof-of-concept program

By Tommy Felts / April 4, 2019

The path from concept to commercialization has three reinvigorated travelers this spring, Jeff Shackelford said Thursday, announcing the latest early-stage entrepreneurs to join Digital Sandbox KC. The program’s newly joined startups include a tech-driven legal solution and two companies using artificial intelligence to innovate their industries, said Shackelford, executive director of Digital Sandbox KC. “As…

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Zenernet defying the status quo, taking on industry giants with OP-fueled solar startup

By Tommy Felts / April 3, 2019

Overland Park-based Zenernet is soaking in renewed interest in solar, powering its push to become an industry player on the national stage, said JP Gerken. “The growth potential [for solar] is endless,” said Gerken, founder of solar power service provider Zenernet. “I think we’ve barely scratched the surface on what the potential is with residential…

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Wesley Hamilton, Crossfit partner on gym space flexing adaptive athletes alongside able-bodied peers

By Tommy Felts / April 3, 2019

A first-of-its-kind, all-inclusive gym is emerging to reshape what fitness feels like for adaptive athletes, said Wesley Hamilton. “This vision of what we’re about to create here at Crossfit Memorial Hill is magnificent,” said Hamilton, founder and executive director of Kansas City-based nonprofit the Disabled But Not Really Foundation (DBNR), which partnered with the local…

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Plexpod River Market

With final flourishes under way, Plexpod River Market opening expected within weeks

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2019

Plexpod River Market might be weeks away from opening, but the coworking community’s new location on the KC Streetcar line already is sparking interest among startups, said Gerald Smith. “Magic happens when these entrepreneurs have a platform where they can connect — that’s where sparks fly,” said Smith, co-founder of Plexpod. “The more we can…

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Sarah Hill, Healium, StoryUp

How ‘compassion fatigue’ led a TV journalist to bring Healium VR therapy to market

By Tommy Felts / April 2, 2019

Distress calls poured over the newsroom scanner near Sarah Hill’s desk, day in and day out for 20 years. Each one seemingly growing darker than the last, she recalled. “I was a television journalist. … You have to cover a lot of trauma and a lot of really bad stuff,” said Hill, founder of Healium…

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