Pitch locally or look to outsiders? How founder bias toward funding at all costs could leave your distracted startup without a why

Kansas City’s funding gaps often feel deeper for women entrepreneurs, two top founders said Tuesday, describing a startup ecosystem that pits emerging entrepreneurs against each other — but perhaps more critically, against time — in a highly competitive fight for a limited amount of local capital. “Kansas City is very startup friendly — at least…

Read More

Startland News opens office in Spark Kansas City; move boosts exposure, highlights momentum

A new strategic partnership between Startland News and Spark Kansas City is expected to strengthen the nonprofit newsroom’s brand and storytelling capacity with broader reach and new opportunities for live and virtual programming, said Tommy Felts. “Collaboration sparks greater impact,” said Felts, news director for Startland News. “A key element of our work is exposing…

Read More

Created for collisions, coworking spaces adapt to a socially distant return to flexible offices

Typically focused on in-person collaboration and interaction, coworking spaces are adapting to the realities of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — and seeing some unexpected opportunities, said Gerald Smith. “Corporate inquiries just went through the roof because suddenly they’re now looking to de-densify their corporate headquarters,” said Smith, founder of Plexpod, a progressive coworking community with four…

Read More