We have liftoff! LaunchCode to boost Kansas City tech talent

About 3,500 tech firms need to fill 2,300 open positions in the Kansas City area, according to KCnext. Usually, that means businesses, both large and small, spar over the same people, snatching up programming talent wherever possible, including from their local neighbors. It makes for more than just awkward networking events among tech executives —…

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LaunchCode kicks off Kansas City office with $250K boost

Fresh off its expansion to Kansas City, LaunchCode will tap additional capital from the Missouri Technology Corporation to boost its operations focused on tech workforce development. [pullquote]Founded in 2013, LaunchCode now partners with a variety of Kansas City companies — including EyeVerify, UMB, Blooom and Venture360 — to provide a new pipeline of homegrown tech…

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Techweek commits to five more years in KC

With more than 5,000 attendees last week in Union Station, Kansas City more than doubled the expected participation in Techweek, a week-long technology conference. In fact, Kansas City performed so well that Techweek is coming back for at least five more years. Techweek CEO Katy Lynch said that the conference was anticipating about 2,500 attendees, but…

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Nixon announces $1.2M in grants to KC programs

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon made an appearance at Techweek Thursday to announce $1.19 million in grants to three Kansas City organizations through the Missouri Technology Corporation. Of the $1.19 million, $565,000 is going to LaunchKC, $500,000 is going to the Digital Sandbox KC and $125,000 is going to the Independence Economic Development Council. The 2016 Missouri…

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One-on-one with Square co-founder Jim McKelvey

Startland News reporter Ashley Jost sat down with Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Square and LaunchCode, during his visit to Techweek. Here’s a bit of the conversation. On Kansas City’s strengths as a tech hub … You’ve got the classic things – it’s mostly talent. Kansas City is a town that very few people want to…

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