Startups

Innovation program challenges civically-minded Kansas Citians

The City of Kansas City, Mo. is again asking for entrepreneurs’ help. Kansas City is now accepting applications for the 2016 Innovation Partnership Program, which provides an avenue for entrepreneurs to develop, test and demonstrate solutions to improve city operations. The city will accept program applications for only 30 days — from July 13 to August 15….

Harrison Proffitt and Ben Jackson, Bungii

Tech startup Bungii is your new friend with a truck

“Hey, can I borrow you and your truck this weekend?” It’s a question dreaded by truck owners everywhere, and in April of 2015, it made Ben Jackson regret ever buying his 1999 Ford Ranger. Jackson — and his truck — had just finished an exhausting day helping friends make four hauls across Manhattan, Kan. The…

Google Fiber hops to new, pricier plans for businesses

All good things — or in this case inexpensive things — must come to an end. Google Fiber will soon nix early-access pricing for its gigabit business service and will more than double its costs for new customers in August. Google Fiber — which first arrived in Kansas City in 2012 with residential service —…

equity funding

Survey: KC is sticky for startups with equity funding

A majority of Kansas City startups choose to maintain their hometown roots after they raise capital — even when the funds come from outside investors, a recent survey found. Of the companies that raised money in 2013 and 2014, 74 percent of them are still active and headquartered in the City of Fountains, according to…

A marriage of Mr. K’s passions, ‘E Day at the K’ returns July 19

To say one of Kansas City’s greatest entrepreneurs — Ewing Marion Kauffman — loved baseball would be an understatement. The founder of Marion Laboratories Inc., Kauffman purchased the Royals in 1968 to bring America’s pastime to his beloved hometown, Kansas City. Along with boosting civic pride, the Royals became a model franchise, employing “moneyball” statistical…