Bobby Burch
Recent Articles by Bobby Burch
Kansas City Developers Conference cultivates community among techies
Hundreds of hardcore techies are gearing up for one of Kansas City’s largest gatherings of developers. The eighth-annual Kansas City Developers Conference is expecting more than 1,300 attendees from regional corporations, startups and universities on June 22. With a focus on building the Kansas City community, the conference features loads of workshops, panel discussions and…
CEO: Kansas’ politics pushed Pathfinder Innovations into Missouri
Destructive economic and social policies in Kansas compelled Pathfinder Health Innovations’ move to the Show Me State, its founder wrote in a blog post critical of state leaders. A tech service provider for people with autism, Pathfinder received tax incentives for its border hop to Missouri but Pathfinder CEO Jeff Blackwood said the move also…
The Lean Lab will award $100K to education entrepreneurs
Local efforts to inject innovation into education received a boost Friday as The Lean Lab announced fellows in its incubator program will earn seed capital for their projects aimed at disrupting traditional learning. Founded in 2013, The Lean Lab welcomed five new teams of fellows from around the nation for its incubator, which develops…
‘Kansas City Startup House’ aims to be smart home incubator
A local tech founder is transforming his Kansas City, Kan., home to eventually become the area’s next incubator program. Sports Photos founder Brandon Schatz recently launched the “Kansas City Startup Home” to host entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world. While it’s now serving as an Airbnb destination for techies, Schatz said in the next…
New KC streetcar app connects riders to entertainment, nightlife
A local coding school on Thursday released a new mobile application to enable ridership on Kansas City’s popular new streetcar line. The Disruption Institute developed the “StreetcarKC” app, which helps passengers find stops along the 2.2-mile streetcar line, discover locales along the route and access schedule information. Now available only on iOS devices, the app…
New Kansas City emojis feature landmarks, BBQ, Royals
Whether observing a colorful sunset or a sea of humanity in downtown, has Kansas City ever left you speechless? Well — in those trying times of need — one Kansas City firm is helping residents express themselves when words simply will not suffice. Kansas City-based ad agency Single Wing Creative recently released “Emoji My City,” a…
Black & Veatch constructs ideation platform with new accelerator
A new program at area construction giant Black & Veatch hopes to hatch and accelerate innovative ideas by adopting a concept common among startups. The Overland Park-based corporation recently created the B&V Growth Accelerator, which hopes to challenge the global firm’s traditional methods of generating and launching ideas. The internal program is led by nine…
KCMO transit plan sets route for automated shuttles to KCI airport
Area residents will ride to the airport on automated shuttles by 2020 if Kansas City officials have their way. In a note to the American Planning Association, Kansas City chief innovation officer Bob Bennett shared the city’s “three pillars” of its bid for a $50 million transportation award. The note details Kansas City’s pitch for…
Attention entrepreneurs: Deadline for LaunchKC grants approaching fast
Entrepreneurs in Kansas City and around the world have about one month left to apply for LaunchKC, a grant competition that hopes to boost the area’s growing tech sector. LaunchKC will distribute $500,000 — via 10, $50,000 non-dilutive grants — to tech entrepreneurs from around the globe in exchange for their relocation to Kansas City….
With $300M under management, Blooom is the fastest-growing robo advisor
Area financial tech startup Blooom has another trophy for its chest of commendations. The Leawood-based firm says its online tool to grow users’ 401(k)s has reached $300 million in assets under management in only 20 months. That swelling growth makes it the fastest-growing robo advisor ever — years faster than competitors in New York City…