Startups

Jomper

KC native builds jumpsuits for all occasions — butt flap included

By Tommy Felts / March 15, 2018

Party and potty in one easy piece. Literally. That’s the benefit of wearing a jumpsuit with a butt flap included: Users avoid the hassle of removing half the outfit to use the restroom, said Brittany Weltner. The Kansas City native just launched a crowdfunding campaign for her new business, Jomper, to build more functional jumpsuits…

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Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation startup growth

Is government helping startups enough? Founders feel isolated, Kauffman survey finds

By Tommy Felts / March 13, 2018

Early stage entrepreneurs struggle with the technical steps to getting started, a new Kauffman survey found, and founders don’t believe the government is helping them. The prevailing sentiment that entrepreneurs view themselves as isolated from assistance is understandable, said Melissa Roberts, vice president of strategy and economic development at the Enterprise Center in Johnson County.…

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Kauffman survey

Kauffman survey: Women more critical of their own early-stage entrepreneurial efforts

By Tommy Felts / March 13, 2018

Women entrepreneurs are more likely than their male counterparts to grade their performances harshly during the first year of business, though that tendency typically fades over time, according to a new survey by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. It often is about approaching the venture a realistic viewpoint, said Jeff Shackelford, executive director of Digital…

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ShotTracker fan app

Video: ShotTracker fan app courts NAIA tourney crowds with AR experience

By Tommy Felts / March 13, 2018

A new ShotTracker fan app — expected to launch today — will combine real-time analytics with augmented reality for a first-of-its-kind fan engagement opportunity at next week’s Division 1 NAIA basketball tournament, said co-founder Davyeon Ross. “We want to make the experience as great as possible for the end user,” Ross said, noting his company’s…

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TechAccel

TechAccel, UC Davis lab developing wheat seed to combat climate change

By Tommy Felts / March 12, 2018

A Kansas City-based tech and venture development firm hopes to engineer wheat seeds that produce higher yield by withstanding warmer temperatures. “We’re taking a concept that is pretty important for wheat worldwide,” said Brad Fabbri, Chief Science Officer of TechAccel. Increasing temperatures make growing wheat more difficult across the globe, studies show. Reports indicate climate…

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