Tag: Gerald Smith

‘Not a good look’: Amid budget cut criticism, Mayor Q shuffles $25K between small biz support groups

By Tommy Felts / February 29, 2020

Editor’s note: Startland News is a program of STARTLAND, an ecosystem-building organization that is among the participants in an informal coalition of entrepreneur support groups hoping to increase funding for small business support in the 2020-2021 Kansas City, Missouri, budget. This story was produced independently by Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Responding to sharp criticism of…

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2020 celebration photos: Startups find value in being watched — $2.6M across 520+ stories

By Tommy Felts / February 4, 2020

Editor’s note: The celebration event showcasing Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020 was sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with communities in education and entrepreneurship to increase opportunities that allow all people to learn, to take risks, and to own their success. Ten of Kansas City’s…

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Mural by Phil “Sike Style” Shafer and JT Daniels, Plexpod River Market

Murals by Sike Style, JT Daniels paint ‘One KC’ across state line, Plexpod locations

By Tommy Felts / December 10, 2019

Economic momentum in the Kansas City region has never been stronger — no matter which side of the state line a business operates, Gerald Smith said. A colorful pair of murals now splash that reality across two of the veteran entrepreneur’s Plexpod locations. Reflecting a border war “truce” — called in August between the governors of…

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David Biga, Particle Space, Startup Crawl KC

Photos: Startup Crawl KC draws 1,000+ to the Crossroads, despite First Fridays overhaul

By Tommy Felts / October 7, 2019

Mission accomplished, said organizers of Startup Crawl KC, announcing record attendance during the fifth showing of the innovation expo.  “Best Startup Crawl ever,” said Gerald Smith, co-founder of Plexpod — which played host Oct. 4 to one of the Crawl’s three stops at its Crossroads Arts District location.  More than 1,000 guests descended on the…

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Plexpod River Market

Look inside: Plexpod opens coworking oasis amid River Market’s concrete jungle (Photos)

By Tommy Felts / May 9, 2019

Faux grass lining the walls. Neon signs. A mix of vintage and contemporary stylings. Plexpod’s Eric Milner was initially skeptical of plans for a jungle theme in one of the co-working space’s enclaves — quirky seating areas tucked between offices and amenities at the new River Market location. “It really panned out though. Stephanie [Medina]…

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