Fishtech, BacklotCars, Bardavon named to Forbes’ 2020 best startup employers list
March 10, 2020 | Startland News Staff
A trio of fast-growing Kansas City companies are among the 500 best startup employers in the nation, according to a new ranking from Forbes.
Fishtech Group — one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020 — lead the local honorees at No. 277 on Forbes’ list.
BacklotCars was ranked at No. 339, followed by Bardavon Health Innovations at No. 439.
Click here to see the full list of America’s Best Startup Employers for 2020.
“Those who are drawn to [working at] early-stage companies may have different professional priorities than those at more established firms, but the qualities they value most in employers are surprisingly similar,” the Forbes report read.
Such values include a clear mission, learning and development opportunities, transparency, and a flexible structure, according to the report. The top 500 list was compiled by evaluating 2,500 American businesses with at least 50 employees on three criteria: employer reputation, employee satisfaction and growth.
High-end amenities and cutting-edge office space also likely help.
Fishtech, a rapidly growing cyber security firm, boasts a sprawling Martin City campus with a more than $10 million cyber defense center. BacklotCars, which offers a wholesale platform for auto dealers, relocated in 2019 to fill a full floor of the newly renovated Lightwell building in downtown Kansas City.
Click here to take a closer look at Fishtech’s headquarters.
For Bardavon, the recognition was unexpected, said Matt Condon, the healthcare startup’s CEO.
“This was a surprise to us. However, we unapologetically expect that Bardavon will continue to be recognized as a national market force for evolving and improving healthcare,” he said. “Because of our unique mission to optimize outcomes by focusing on clinical data and disintermediating the claims process through technology and transparency, we have been able to recruit some of the best talent in the country to our Bardavon team.”
Bardavon is one of 62 healthcare startups and one of only nine healthcare startups in the Midwest; the rest are located on the east or west coasts, the company emphasized.
Bardavaon was named one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2018.
Featured Business
2020 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
A St. Joe CEO handed him a franchise after graduation; two years later, the risk is paying off
Spencer Engelman’s expectations for his post-college career were shredded by an offer he couldn’t refuse. The Northwest Missouri State University graduate was awarded a business of his own — minus the franchise fee — by a veteran entrepreneur who had visited one of his classes. “It’s a crazy opportunity,” said Engelman, who now operates a DocuLock…
What a catch: Kansas City fandom creates custom appeal for taco-loving cartoonist vibe
Drawing from Kansas City’s spotlight moments — whether trendy and new or iconic and timeless — W. Dave Keith balances a quirky aesthetic with a practical focus on what will actually sell. “I’ve slowly learned that if I want to make money off this business, I need to make stuff that people want to buy,”…
Power through purpose: How a winding journey led this eco devo steward to deep-rooted impact
Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC). Click here to read the original story. [divide] Going behind the scenes of CCED with the people who make it happen Some people are drawn to city-building because of the bricks and steel, the architecture, the skyline, the…
Missouri’s weapon in the AI race with China: KC tech companies, says GOP lawmaker
As artificial intelligence reshapes the way Kansas City works, civic and elected leaders want to ensure small businesses and the region’s tech community have seats at the table. Federal regulation could help, said Eric Schmitt. “For me, [it’s about] making sure that the big tech companies don’t block out a lot of the innovators, say…

