Bobby Burch

Recent Articles by Bobby Burch

Bobby Burch: ‘The mountains are calling, and I must go’ — farewell and thank you

Editor’s Note: Startland News co-founder and editor-in-chief Bobby Burch will depart the storytelling organization at the end of July. Tommy Felts will assume leadership of Startland effective immediately. It was three-and-a-half years ago when Kansas City Startup Foundation CEO Adam Arredondo approached me with a “what if” scheme to start a publication focused on entrepreneurship….

Mycroft AI

Mycroft hopes to build community of investment backers with new online public offering

Adding to its array of successful crowdfunding efforts, Mycroft AI recently launched an online public offering that’s generating significant financial support for the startup. Thanks to 2016 changes to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s equity crowdfunding regulations, the Kansas City-based tech startup’s OPO has already amassed more than $173,000 of its $1.07 million funding goal….

Edison Spaces launching second location focused on flexible offices for startups

Edison Spaces, a firm that offers flexible, private offices to entrepreneurs and small businesses, plans to open its second Johnson County location this summer. Focused on offering short-term lease options, Edison Spaces is launching its second locale in August at 7900 College Boulevard, on the corner of College and Metcalf. Owned by Kansas City entrepreneurs…

NBKC Bank Headquarters

nbkc bank launching FinTech accelerator with at least $50K for each startup

Leveraging an area aptitude for innovation in finance, nbkc bank is launching an accelerator program for early-stage financial technology startups from across the globe. The Kansas City-based community bank has partnered with the LaunchKC grants contest to offer the Fountain City Fintech Accelerator, which will soon welcome applications for its inaugural class. The 75-day program…

ECJC unveils new $5M seed fund for regional startups

Kansas City has a new fund targeting Midwest startups. The Enterprise Center in Johnson County is leading a bi-state initiative that’s working to capitalize the $5 million Fountain Innovation Fund. The fund — built by the Midwest Seed Consortium — aims to increase the number and pace of scalable firms by investing in the most…

Go print yourself! Overland Park doob shop turns selfie concept into 3D replicas

A new shop in Overland Park is supplanting the selfie with the mini me. After first opening shops in Los Angeles and New York City, the Germany-based 3D printing firm doob has arrived in the Kansas City area to 3D print people, groups and pets. The technology, process and results capture moments in time customers…

1 Million Cups KC move to Plexpod Westport Commons percolating

1 Million Cups — Kansas City’s most-popular entrepreneur event series — is brewing a move to the area’s largest coworking community. After six years of hosting the entrepreneurial showcase event at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 1MCKC is moving its weekly program to Plexpod Westport Commons. 1 Million Cups began in Kansas City in April…

Philip Gaskin, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman Foundation’s Philip Gaskin sees entrepreneur ecosystems in the humble snowflake

Editor’s note: This content was sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation but independently produced by Startland News. When it comes to developing a startup, there’s no better training ground than a political campaign, Philip Gaskin said. “You’re building movements of people to do extraordinary things,” said Gaskin, director of entrepreneurial communities and chief of…

KC Pinoy

Video: ‘Have you eaten?’ KC Pinoy adds food math to flavorful Filipino fare

Editor’s note: The following content about Chrissy Nucum’s KC Pinoy is sponsored by Mid-Continent Public Library but independently produced by Startland News. KC Pinoy food truck’s last customer of the day was aptly named: Lucky. “We’ve had a good enough day to break a hundred [dollar bill],” owner Chrissy Nucum told the diner at the…

2018 Sprint Accelerator Demo Day

Hungry Sprint Accelerator startups bite into corporate partnerships at Demo Day (Photos)

Winning a mother’s trust is a big deal, said Michael Moran, founder of MoPro, a high-protein, low-sugar Greek yogurt that was among the 2018 Sprint Accelerator cohort’s dairy-centric startups. But what’s perhaps even better than earning Mom’s blessing? Winning financial support from a key backer. Dairy Farmers of America announced a partnership with MoPro Tuesday…