Startups

John Fein

Firebrand Fein: KC needs more audacious startups, ‘crazy ideas’ to attract investors

By Tommy Felts / January 19, 2019

Kansas City companies need to buck the Midwestern, risk-averse mindset and sell audacious plans to investors, said John Fein. “I would just love to see more crazy ideas, more big game type ideas,” said Fein, founder and managing partner at Firebrand Ventures. “We invest when [the startup] starts to generate revenue, so they have to…

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Matt Condon, Bardavon Health Innovations, Matt Condon Kauffman

Startup leader hears calling in Kauffman legacy, selected to join Kauffman Foundation trustees

By Tommy Felts / January 17, 2019

Money alone won’t truly satisfy an entrepreneur, nor will it build a stronger Kansas City, said Matt Condon — lessons learned from the late Ewing Kauffman. “Having a successful company isn’t good enough,” said Condon, a veteran startup leader who recently completed a year as chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “Impacting…

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The Nerdery

The Nerdery powers down, exiting Kansas City in move to consolidate investments

By Tommy Felts / January 17, 2019

Once topping Inc. Magazine’s fastest-growing companies list, The Nerdery is now pulling back — closing its Kansas City office and redirecting the paths of 28 metro employees, the company revealed this week. “This decision is by no means a reflection of the performance of the team in Kansas City, who have all done a fantastic…

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SafetyCulture

SafetyCulture executing fireproof growth strategy from new Crossroads US HQ

By Tommy Felts / January 17, 2019

A recent move placed SafetyCulture into the largest fireproof building in KC — a choice reflecting the startup’s customer-centered approach, said Ross Reed, noting the building’s more-than-a-century-old history was an added plus. “iAuditor helps organizations prioritize safety and quality,” said Reed, president of SafetyCulture’s KC-based North American branch. “If construction companies can show they they…

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David Lintz, RFP360

Strategic investment from Five Elms Capital comes with new CEO for RFP360

By Tommy Felts / January 16, 2019

A freshly announced strategic growth investment is expected to boost RFP360’s sales, marketing and product development, as well as paving the way for added leadership at the Kansas City-based tech startup. Financial details of the deal with Five Elms Capital were not disclosed, but the move comes in conjunction with the arrival of former Perceptive…

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