Startups

Kyle Smith, Determination, Incorporated

KCultivator Q&A: Kyle J Smith talks serious work, socks with sandals, pickled pig brains

By Tommy Felts / November 2, 2018

Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by WeWork Corrigan Station, a modern twist on Kansas City office space. A place to live, work, and play — three ingredients for a new life, said Kyle J. Smith, founder…

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KCSourceLink All-Star Voting Winners

New five-year government grant, matching funds will help KCSourceLink fill gaps, build inclusivity

By Tommy Felts / November 1, 2018

The payoff from a new five-year grant to KCSourceLink will most immediately be seen in a refreshed website with a more streamlined user experience for doers, makers, creators and entrepreneurs searching for help in taking the next — or first — step in building a business. “Our goal is to strengthen the fundamental building blocks of a…

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Toby Rush, Zoloz, Ant Financial

Toby Rush on emerging blockchain: Layers of trust slowly building behind the scenes

By Tommy Felts / November 1, 2018

Much like companies’ web pages in the mid-1990s, blockchain isn’t yet consumer-ready, said Toby Rush. “But [development is] going to move at an accelerated pace,” said Rush, CEO of Zoloz and senior director of international technology investments at Ant Financial. “We’re over 20 years later from ’96, and I think you’ll see [blockchain] move and…

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Lula

Lula partners with Platinum Realty to help home buyers, sellers find quality contractors

By Tommy Felts / October 31, 2018

New homeowners — and even those selling — need contractors, said Bo Lais. It’s a reality understood by Platinum Realty, a new partner for home services tech startup Lula. “Lula is really excited about assisting Platinum Realty agents throughout that process because new home owners are constantly asking their real estate agents who they should…

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Tom's Town Distilling Company

Amid expansion, Tom’s Town redesign inspired by optimism of those thirsty for a better life

By Tommy Felts / October 30, 2018

Kansas City-distilled Tom’s Town is pouring expansion into the headlines as the company’s spirits quench a national thirst for craft liquor, said Steve Revare. “[Our success] has really exceeded our expectations,” said Revare, founder factotum, describing Tom’s Town’s coming 10-state rollout. “With the quality of our spirits, the packaging, and the rich story behind it…

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