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

    Meet 20 entrepreneurs primed to scale their ventures through KC program’s 15th cohort

    By Tommy Felts | August 18, 2025

    Transformational opportunities await growth-minded entrepreneurs from across Kansas City’s wide range of industries, said Jill Hathaway, noting business leaders from sports tech to roofing, brewing to nutrition counseling, can scale with the right coaching, perspective and connections. ScaleUP! Kansas City on Monday announced its 15th cohort of 20 local companies looking to create new jobs,…

    Plaza food hall returns with Lula’s, Guy’s, J. Rieger and more KC foodie favorites inside

    By Tommy Felts | August 18, 2025

    A hotel food hall — just up the hill from a main artery of the Country Club Plaza — is planning a restaurant rally this week; reopening its shared culinary experience with some of the Kansas City food scene’s biggest local brands and a food hall rarity: full-service. Under new management, a new name, and…

    Fit Truk shifts gears, building mass by scaling custom-built mobile gyms across US

    By Tommy Felts | August 15, 2025

    Fit Truk has traded its hometown workout circuit for a manufacturing floor and an international sales map. The Kansas City-born company is now producing custom-built mobile gyms for clients across the country and abroad. “We have three different models of trucks,” said Josh Guffey, co-founder of Fit Truk. “We have trucks going out all over…

    Down to vibes: Fans of fellow their musicians form Kansas City dream pop group Silvee

    By Tommy Felts | August 15, 2025

    Kansas City’s lineup of creative talent plays best when musicians can plug into bands where they’re needed most, said Sky Cowdry, describing an inclusive local music scene built on shared resources, and sounds. Silvee — a singer-songwriter-driven dream pop group infused with rock and roll (and set to perform at Tuesday’s Small Biz to Watch…