Tag: M25

Who’s getting funded in KC? The answer requires a long look in the mirror, analysts say

By Tommy Felts / September 21, 2021

Editor’s note: Startland News asked industry experts to take an early look at the data behind the 2021 Kansas City Venture Capital-Backed Companies Report — the culmination of a three-month collaboration between UMKC’s Technology Venture Studio and Startland News, and presented by Mylo, a Lockton Company. Below are some of their leading takeaways, along with…

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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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Justin Davis, BacklotCars; Back2KC 2018

Destination exit: Less talk, more acceleration drove quiet BacklotCars to $425M deal

By Tommy Felts / September 11, 2020

In the half-decade run-up to BacklotCars’ historic $425 million exit, the Kansas City startup remained largely under the radar, Justin Davis acknowledged, noting the intentional move became less about strategy and more focused on team values. “Like many people in Kansas City and the Midwest, we all prefer getting to work rather than talking about…

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Crossroads Arts District, Kansas City, Missouri, August 2020

M25 ranking: KC gains traction against Midwest peers, but startups need more state support

By Tommy Felts / August 20, 2020

Kansas City remains the “undisputed hub of startup activity in the area,” according to a new ranking by M25 — putting the City of Fountains in an enviable position as tech and startup leaders in high-priced coastal areas look for new homes in the COVID-19 era of remote work. “Zoom may be the bane of…

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Is KC getting lapped? Kansas City scores No. 13 among Top 25 Midwestern cities in M25 ranking

By Tommy Felts / October 8, 2019

Kansas City is maintaining a spot firmly in the middle of the pack among the top 25 Midwestern startup cities — in large part thanks to a $100-plus million growth equity investment in PayIt earlier this year, according to a new ranking by M25. The mega-round for Kansas City’s leading GovTech startup kept the City…

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