RECAP: 1 Million Cups focuses on time with Mixtape, Flowh
There was a theme at today’s 1 Million Cups KC, and it was time. Two startups presented their businesses, both at different stages, and both in different industries, but both dealing with time — how we remember it and how we manage it. Mixtape founder Joel Johnson was first to present his firm, which created…
Lean Lab eyes $25K in national pitch contest
The Lean Lab, a Kansas City-based education innovation incubator, is hoping to strike gold in a national pitch competition in California. The organization on Wednesday will be pitching its model in the Teach For America Social Innovation Awards, an annual competition in which the Lean Lab hopes to snag a $25,000 prize. Lean Lab is the…
6 ways to be a startup community hero (for non-entrepreneurs)
Melissa Roberts, marketing director of the Enterprise Center of Johnson County, shares how those interested in helping the startup community can effectively engage entrepreneurs. In my work at an entrepreneurial service non-profit in Kansas City, I get to meet many passionate, community-minded people each day. Often, those people have no connection to our startup community, other than…
Major network provider taps SquareOffs for ‘Rant Offs’
SquareOffs recently landed a client that may place its web-based debate technology in front of millions of more people. The company partnered with digital media network Rant Inc. to offer its online debate and polling tech to engage Rant’s readers and increase their advertising revenue. “It’s one of the bigger contracts that we’re apart of,”…
Week of events creates startups, builds entrepreneurial community
The Kansas City entrepreneurial community is prepping for a week-long celebration of startups and entrepreneurship. 1WeekKC, which kicks off on May 29 and continues throughout the entire first week of June, will include a series of events created to empower entrepreneurs to come together, share ideas, get inspired, celebrate and connect. A group of community…
Techweek, Launch KC winners have shot at more money
The winning company at a demo day competition during Kansas City’s coming Techweek conference will earn a chance at nabbing significantly more dough. In addition to a $50,000 LaunchKC grant, the winning firm would have a shot at an added $50,000 from a national competition. LaunchKC — an initiative to attract 10 tech firms to relocate to Kansas…
KC coworking studios align to create cohesion, understanding
A cadre of Kansas City coworking studio leaders are working together to bring awareness to their trade through a new alliance. Twelve organizations thus far have banded together to collectively raise their profiles to attract more businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals to use the array of coworking studios in Kansas City. “Coworking is really starting to…
Think savings: Apps to save time, money
In this Think column, Virtual BeanCounters founder Tim Sernett shares his favorite apps that can save your business time and money. The Think column helps entrepreneurs to stop and think about the various aspects of starting and running a business. Read Venture Legal founder Chris Brown’s piece on hiring contractors or employees here. Invoices, expense reports, monthly…
OneHQ launches hiring spree for anticipated growth
OneHQ, formerly NexusHQ, is beefing up its staff in anticipation of a projected revenue boom. The insurance and finance software company plans to add 13 employees — bringing its total headcount to 20 — in the next year as it anticipates more than doubling its annual revenue. The company reported revenue of more than $1 million…
Former Kauffman Foundation VP on how to scale via networking
With more than 25 years of leadership experience, Lesa Mitchell knows a thing or two about making — and fostering — valuable connections. Previously the vice president of innovation at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and a former executive at Marion Labs, Mitchell now is the founder of Networks for Scale, a company that works…
