Tag: BacklotCars

Kansas City; photo courtesy of Midwest + Startups

New ranking: How KC can break into the Top 10 Midwest startup cities (and why it hasn’t yet)

By Tommy Felts / August 18, 2021

A freshly released ranking of Midwest startup hubs shows Kansas City maintaining its years-long position at No. 12, but warns — despite a few recent headline-grabbing wins — the metro faces the threat of stagnation without increased activity, startup reinvestment and government support. “You had to get more funding and big exits just to stay…

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Ian Ross and Basel Bataineh, Somera Road

Reimagined Lightwell ready to take innovation hub mantle as KC’s tech talent return to the office

By Tommy Felts / May 18, 2021

A steady stream of foot traffic flows beneath the Lightwell building’s signature feature — a winding overhead natural light design that spans nearly a city block — as employees returning to the workplace help the iconic downtown Kansas City landmark assume its new identity: 21st century innovation hub.  “A lot of people will talk about…

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Justin Davis, BacklotCars

Want the next $425M exit? Be ‘ruthless’ with your time (and cap table), BacklotCars co-founder says

By Tommy Felts / March 9, 2021

In the years leading up to BacklotCars’ historic exit, Justin Davis steered clear of the startup social scene — detouring instead into deep collaboration with capital and automotive industry partners, he said. “As a startup, getting connected is great, but you have to be ruthless in your execution,” the BacklotCars co-founder told ACG Kansas City’s…

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Darcy Howe and Ed Frindt, KCRise Fund II

KCRise closes $41M Fund II, plans to invest in 20 high-growth tech companies

By Tommy Felts / February 2, 2021

A newly closed, oversubscribed $41 million KCRise Fund II is poised to accelerate regional growth with an influx of talent and investment dollars for 20 high-growth technology companies benefitting Greater Kansas City, said Darcy Howe. And the work has already begun, the fund’s founder and managing director added. Before today’s closing announcement, Fund II had…

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Tristan Mace, parkermace

From the Big Apple to the Heartland: A fresh set of eyes sees why KC is poised for growth

By Tommy Felts / November 16, 2020

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Tristan Mace is an advisor to early-stage ventures, investment funds, and Fortune 500 companies, an occasional guest professor at The University of Texas, former corporate venture capitalist for Merck and AXA and a serial tech entrepreneur. Click here to read more about his…

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