Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

Recent Articles by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

Funding roundtable: ‘You can’t fake it’ and more funding advice from KC founders

December 15, 2015

Your company is steadily growing, but it looks like you’re nearing a plateau. [pullquote]“It also takes grit. It takes an unbelievable amount of fortitude just knowing that you’ll never give up. It’s possible.” – Brock Stechman, co-founder of DivvyHQ[/pullquote] Perhaps your startup is doing just fine, but a well-heeled competitor just entered your market and slapped a…

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Techstars firms to spread local roots via Brad Feld’s Kansas City home

December 14, 2015

More graduates of the Techstars-led Sprint Mobile Accelerator may be calling Kansas City home thanks to venture capitalist Brad Feld. Feld, co-founder of the international accelerator program Techstars, is making his Kansas City, Kan. home available to graduates of the local Techstars program rent free. “I’m very happy with how things have gone to date,”…

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Subjective language is making your elevator pitch completely forgettable

December 14, 2015

[pullquote]”Subjective language is usually used in elevator pitches when businesses try to point out a perceived advantage in the market.  This usually manifests itself as an ignorable [statement] …” – Grant Gooding[/pullquote] Your elevator pitch is the single most important communication of you or your business and why you are relevant. Last month I wrote…

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Kansas City dishes on diversity in the entrepreneurial community

December 11, 2015

It’s often said that two heads are better than one. But what if those two “heads” have the same socioeconomic, gender and racial compositions? What if their life experiences mirror one another so closely that they arrive at the same conclusions or generate the same general ideas? It’s no secret that diversity can foster the…

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Funding roundtable (part II): Entrepreneurs compare KC investment scene to other cities

December 10, 2015

Welcome back to part two of our roundtable discussion on the early-stage investment sector in Kansas City. For a more formal introduction on this series and its five participants, please refer to part one on Kansas City’s investment culture and evolving economy. Check out the third and final installment of the series with the entrepreneurs’ advice for…

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Events Preview: KC Next Winter Event

December 10, 2015

There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Handmade Holiday Sale When: December 10 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Where: Hammerspace The creative, talented maker members of HammerSpace Community…

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Funding roundtable: Kansas City still has a lot to learn about venture capital

December 8, 2015

After growing demand for more coverage on Kansas City’s early-stage investment capital landscape, Startland News decided to start a conversation on the subject. In November, we hosted five Kansas City entrepreneurs for a frank discussion on their experience raising funds in and outside of Kansas City. The aim of the conversation was to create a…

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University students score opportunities via Pipeline IOTY

December 8, 2015

Four college student founders are hoping to capitalize on facetime with high-profile businesspeople as part of an inaugural university competition at Pipeline’s Innovator of the Year event. Students from four regional universities will present their startups at the annual Kansas City-hosted IOTY event, which features a pitch competition among 10 Pipeline fellows, an evening gala…

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The WTF Series: Gift shopping for the ‘smart home’

December 8, 2015

On a daily basis, Ben Kittrell translates the jargon-filled world of technology for clients of his tech consultancy. The Words that Frustrate (WTF) series aims to offer readers some clarity in an industry dominated by techies’ confusing argot.   With Christmas right around the corner, you may be looking for that techie, geeky person in…

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Changes here and on the horizon for Startland

December 7, 2015

You don’t have to be a fan of 1970s rock legend David Bowie for these Changes. Startland News is in the midst of an evolution to better serve readers and to maximize its impact in Kansas City. A number of changes have already taken place, and many more are on the horizon. [pullquote]“We’re fortunate to…

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