Hear KC newsmakers’ backstory with Startland’s ‘Innovation Exchange’ Oct. 20

October 14, 2016  |  Startland News Staff

Rarely are all the facts of breaking news included in the stories we read. From the coincidences that led to a business deal to the personal challenges along the way, there’s often a fascinating patchwork of details that remain in reporters’ notebooks.

Think of the Innovation Exchange as a chance to open a news organization’s notepad for a view into its sources’ rich backstories. In conjunction with Think Big Partners and the KC Social Innovation Center, Startland News editor Bobby Burch will explore recent breaking news in Kansas City entrepreneurship via a fireside chat with the newsmakers that catalyzed the headlines.

The free event is set for 4 – 5:30 p.m., Oct. 20 at Think Big Partners and you can RSVP here.

In addition to examining some yet-to-be-revealed breaking news, the inaugural Innovation Exchange will host three Kansas City newsmakers quite familiar with making headlines:

  • Davyeon Ross, co-founder of ShotTracker, a wearable tech firm that’s expanding around the world and working with the likes of Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson and Spalding.
  • Greg Kratofil, arguably Kansas City’s top startup attorney who helped with EyeVerify’s huge exit and the KCRise fund’s recent close on $10 million for early-stage business investment.
  • John Fein, managing director of Firebrand Ventures and a regional investor who’s a leading a cultural shift in Midwest venture capital. 
[adinserter block="4"]

2016 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    ‘Night Without Borders’ opens coffee house doors to honor heritage through harmony

    By Tommy Felts | October 7, 2025

    Culture transcends borders, said Danny Soriano, surrounded Friday night in a popular Crossroads coffee shop by music, dance, art, food, and drinks that all shared a common link: Latino flavor. “Whether it’s Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Argentina, we all come together as Latinos, as Hispanics, and celebrate our heritage,” said Soriano, who organized a…

    KC GIFT orders a full meal with $100K Wah Gwan grant: Job creation (with a side of inspiration)

    By Tommy Felts | October 7, 2025

    Young people on Kansas City’s east side need to see examples of what can be achieved when someone who looks like them works hard — and wins, said Tanyech Yarbrough, pledging to use her recent grant funding from KC G.I.F.T. to mirror entrepreneurship to her community, as well as expand her Troost eatery. Yarbrough’s Wah…

    GEWKC returning to familiar venue (but its new destinations might surprise ticket holders)

    By Tommy Felts | October 7, 2025

    When Global Entrepreneurship Week pulls into the station later this fall, Kansas City participants can expect a fresh experience inside one of the region’s most iconic landmarks, said Callie England, noting an intentional effort behind the scenes should help reroute the “best of the best” events onto custom agendas. “While you’ll see a few familiar…

    Wichita program drives highway of resources to more KC startups; founders tout who they met along the way

    By Tommy Felts | October 6, 2025

    Opening its doors to Midwest companies outside Kansas for the first time, a Wichita-based program that connects startups with the tools to better engage enterprise partners offered an added benefit to Kansas City entrepreneurs: a new ecosystem of support just a few hours from home. “The program’s Wichita location inspired us to broaden our outreach…