Tag: RFP360

They just wanted someone to notice: 10 years (and an exit) later, the first founders featured in Startland News have come 360

By Tommy Felts / May 19, 2025

Editor’s note: Startland News — officially launched May 4, 2015 — is marking its 10-year anniversary this spring. As part of this observance, the nonprofit newsroom is taking a look back at pivotal moments in its decade-long run, as well as impact along the way. Longtime editor-in-chief Tommy Felts caught up with Stuart Ludlow and David…

Read More >

Exited founders: Face the tough conversations first; avoid a messy post-honeymoon breakup

By Tommy Felts / September 17, 2024

Preparing for an exit begins with co-founder alignment at the startup’s launch, three veteran Kansas City founders agreed. “You are getting married to your founders,” explained Tony Caudill, who co-founded two tech startups with his best friend — including aware3, which was acquired in 2018 by Nelnet. “Just like when you find your mate of…

Read More >

Just funded: Meet the five latest startups scaling their tech, Digital Sandbox KC’s impact 

By Tommy Felts / July 12, 2022

Five emerging startups are the latest to benefit from Digital Sandbox KC’s support — investment and resources that have led to more than $200 million in follow-on funding in less than 10 years for Sandbox companies. “Without this funding, it would have taken us much longer, as the whole project is currently being bootstrapped,” said…

Read More >
Ryan Townsend, Hively

Product without a pitch deck: How one startup tech veteran is seeding his new venture with ‘something real’ 

By Tommy Felts / September 16, 2021

Ryan Townsend has worked within some of Kansas City’s most headline-grabbing startups for years, but now he’s taking the lead with his product-driven venture Hively — focusing specifically on bringing a mobile-first solution to event management. “I’ve always been the technology guy,” Townsend said, referencing his time as chief technology officer at such companies as…

Read More >
David Hulsen and Stuart Ludlow, RFP360

Tech company at the vanguard of KC startup boom exits to West Coast competitor

By Tommy Felts / August 3, 2021

One of Kansas City’s earliest startups to watch of the past decade has been acquired by an Oregon-based competitor.  RFPIO announced the purchase of RFP360, a Leawood-based software-as-a-service startup, Tuesday morning. A dollar amount for the deal was not disclosed.  “Through this acquisition, I’m extremely excited about the future as we work together to drive…

Read More >