Latest Stories

U.S. SourceLink names new director

If you’re trying to visit the 1Week KC story, click here. Sorry for the inconvenience!  U.S. SourceLink welcomed a familiar face as its new leader. U.S. SourceLink, a nationwide resource network for entrepreneurs, announced Thursday that it hired Rob Williams as its director. U.S. SourceLink is the parent organization of KCSourceLink, a group that provides…

Events Preview: Focus on Google Fiber, Coding and Cocktails

There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW First Friday Focus – Google Fiber When: August 7 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Where: Village West Luxury Apartments Google Fiber launched…

KC selected as part of $42M data initiative

The City of Kansas City, Mo., plans to boost its tech tools thanks to its recent acceptance into a national initiative to improve government data programs. Bloomberg Philanthropies announced Wednesday that Kansas City was selected as part of its $42 million “What Works Cities” program. The initiative aims to help Kansas City and seven other…

Modern Coalition app ‘gamifying’ politics raises $350K

U.S. Congress is doing a lousy job. At least that’s what 78 percent of Americans thought in July, according to Gallup. The research group theorizes that such dissatisfaction is not only resulting in lower voter turnout, but also generally less political engagement — particularly among young people. Kansas City-based Modern Coalition, however, is hoping to…

The WTF series: ‘Rockstar developer’

On a daily basis, Ben Kittrell translates the jargon-filled world of technology for clients of his tech consultancy. The Words that Frustrate (WTF) series aims to offer readers some clarity in an industry dominated by techies’ confusing argot. Every time I’m in a meeting with a client, someone uses a word or acronym that cues…

KC’s startup economy so-so, study says

Kansas City for years has been making waves as an innovative community. Launching and attracting dozens of tech ventures serving a variety of industries, the Kansas City metro’s brand as an entrepreneurial hub continues to grow. But how does it compare to other communities in the U.S.? While focused on St. Louis, a recent report…

New report crowns the ‘Silicon Prairie’ capital

The Windy City was again named the capital of the so-called Silicon Prairie region. Chicago ranked No. 7 in the 2015 Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking, a report compiled by market research firm Compass. The United States dominated the list, which crowned Silicon Valley as No. 1, followed by New York City, Los Angeles and Boston,…

Events Preview: Perfect your pitch, IOTSummitKC

There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW The Angel Series: Pitching to Investors When: July 30 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Where: Enterprise Center of Johnson County Learn…

Bill to boost veteran entrepreneurship advances

Federal legislation that allows veterans to use their G.I. Bill benefits to launch a business is finding traction with lawmakers. Introduced by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., the Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition Act of 2015 has unanimously advanced through its originating committee and was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Monday. The bill — S. 1870 — would allow…

KCK health startup scores $270K to give patients a voice

An area startup is using a recent injection of funds to better provide hospitals with valuable feedback from patients. PatientsVoices, based in Kansas City, Kan., nabbed $270,000 from several organizations to boost its technology that analyzes and distributes information about patients’ experiences. Organizations such as the National Science Foundation, Google and Digital Sandbox KC each…