Austin Barnes and Tommy Felts

Recent Articles by Austin Barnes and Tommy Felts

Jeff Jones, H&R Block

H&R Block must reconnect with startup energy, innovation, CEO Jeff Jones says

Jeff Jones’ journey to Kansas City — winding through hangouts with popstar Justin Timberlake, dinner with Oprah, and a stint driving one of the world’s most dominant sharing economy companies — has been transformative, the H&R Block CEO said. And if the homegrown corporate juggernaut he now leads is to meet its stretch potential, the…

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Zach Pettet, Fountain City Fintech; and Erika Klotz, PopBookings, KC Mythbusters

Human capital: KC Mythbusters challenges Kansas City to rethink how it supports startups

A thriving startup ecosystem requires more stakeholders with skin in the game, said Eric Jorgenson. That means increasing direct participation — those actively and directly building or investing in startups that can potentially exit and see a talent and capital explosion that results in even newer startups — and de-emphasizing the need for and dependence…

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Chicken N Pickle

New Wichita and San Antonio locations tickle Chicken N Pickle itch for expansion

North Kansas City’s Chicken N Pickle is picking up speed faster than a pickleball soaring across one of the business’ popular courts, said Laurie Morrissey. Hatched within eyesight of the downtown Kansas City skyline, the entertainment venue is making a game-changing serve with its fast-casual approach to community recreation and the evolution of America’s fastest…

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ShotTracker tech nets entry into NCAA Division 1 sports with Hall of Fame tourney

ShotTracker is advancing in the bracket of startup success, company officials announced Thursday, revealing their game-changing, sensor-based, stat and analytics tracking system will debut this fall at the 2018 NCAA Division I Hall of Fame Classic. In partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), ShotTracker technology — which uses sensors in players’ shoes,…

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