Bobby Burch
Recent Articles by Bobby Burch
Leawood Venture Capital opens new $25 million startup fund
Kansas City has a new venture fund focusing on early-stage tech firms. With $25 million in its coffers, Leawood Venture Capital has already made several investments in tech firms around the nation, including Kansas City-based Pepper IoT. Led by seasoned businessmen Brendan Fallis and Karl Gemperli, Leawood Venture Capital will provide equity investments and growth…
Concerned tech leaders pen amicable yet stern letter on KCMO’s proposed Airbnb, Homeaway rules
An advocacy group representing the area tech industry has offered a series of concerns on how the City of Kansas City, Mo., could regulate home-sharing services like Airbnb or Homeaway. In a letter to the Kansas City Council regarding proposed regulations on homesharing, the KC Tech Council said the area now has an opportunity to…
Blooom announces layoffs, new strategic focus on consumers
Refocusing its outbound efforts to solely target consumers, financial tech startup Blooom has laid off nearly a third of its staff and a top executive has resigned. The Leawood-based company recently announced that it has let go of 10 employees as it moves resources away from marketing to enterprises and will refocus on direct-to-consumer marketing….
KC tech startup partners with Children’s Mercy to help diagnose, manage care
Kansas City-based Engage Mobile Solutions developed a mobile app assisting pediatricians at Children’s Mercy Hospital, treating children facing acute illnesses and injuries. The tech firm created “CMPeDS: Pediatric Decision Support” to provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based guidelines to manage patients who are facing acute illnesses such as infections, or children who are experiencing acute injuries,…
Kauffman VP hops on national TV to discuss gaps in entrepreneurship
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s vice president of entrepreneurship recently took to national television to examine declining startup rates. CNBC recently featured Victor Hwang to discuss the trend in declining startup rates, including generational gaps, cultural shifts, limited access to capital and the impact of regulations. “It’s hard to pin it down exactly,” Hwang told…
Dundee Venture Capital tops goal with oversubscribed, $31M fund
In conjunction with welcoming a new partner to its ranks, regionally-focused fund Dundee Venture Capital recently surpassed its goal to raise a $30 million investment fund targeting Midwest startups. The Omaha-based fund announced that its third fund is oversubscribed at $31 million and will target startups in Kansas City, St Louis, Omaha, Lincoln, Denver, Indianapolis,…
Centriq Training buys St. Louis firm to become huge IT educator
After a recent acquisition, the Kansas City area’s largest information technology training company is set to become one of the biggest tech educators in the Midwest. Centriq Training announced Tuesday it purchased St. Louis-based Premier Knowledge Solutions in April for an undisclosed amount. The combined firms will offer virtual courses and in-person training in the…
Mid-America Angels makes 5 new investments, setting record pace
The Mid-America Angels Investment Network is maintaining its fast dealmaking pace in 2017. Based in Fairway Kan., the network recently closed on more than $1 million of investments, putting it on pace to once again exceed its annual investment totals. The new deals bring the value of the group’s total investments in 2017 to over…
Startland News wins 2017 EDCKC Cornerstone award
Thanks to a talented team and supportive community, I’m proud to announce that Startland News has won a 2017 Cornerstone Award. Presented by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City for 30 years, the Cornerstone Awards recognize people, projects, businesses, programs, initiatives and events that drive economic development and growth in Kansas City. On behalf…
Lyft and Kansas City may reunite thanks to new ride-sharing law
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens on Monday signed legislation that could bring the ride-sharing company Lyft back to the Kansas City market. Passed with strong support from Missouri lawmakers, Gov. Greitens’ signature sets forth regulations for ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, including licensing fees, background checks and inspections. Lyft halted its Kansas City operations…