This week, science and rodeo collided at the Kauffman Foundation for another 1 Million Cups event. Tikitum and Rodeo Analytics took the stage to present their startup business models, and to talk about the opportunities ahead in their niche industries. Tikitum This mobile science lab gives Kansas City kids a hands-on experience. Tikitum is different from other science lab models because its curriculum is designed to be fun and educational…

1 Million Cups celebrated a milestone this week: It’s been four years since the entrepreneurial meetup opened up the stage to startups here in Kansas City! To mark the occasion, there was a doughnut wall━yes, a doughnut wall━and plenty of coffee to caffeinate all the out-of-town visitors who came in for this week’s event. This week’s presenters included 21 Reasons to Say Thank You and 2020 Adventures. 21 Reasons to…

This week’s 1 Million Cups Kansas City gathering was a little different from most. Instead of new startup companies presenting, alumni took center stage. SLiK Hound, PopBookings and PlanIt Impact returned to 1 Million Cups to talk about how far they’ve come since their first presentations, and what they’ve learned so far. SLiK Hound SLiK Hound designs and manufactures specialty dog collars here in Kansas City. Crafted with sturdy materials,…

This week at 1 Million Cups in Kansas City, two local companies presented their products, struggles, and business hopes to an engaged audience at the Kauffman Foundation. Wardy and Thrive are products for two very different industries, but both have found ways to capitalize on niche problems. Wardy: Why Can’t I Buy What I See on TV? An app created by Contra Software of Lee’s Summit, Wardy tackles a problem…

At this week’s 1 Million Cups at the Kauffman Foundation, presenters included a local distillery and a startup with an international aim. Their industries may be worlds apart, but both ventures are searching for the same thing–a sustainable business model that works here in Kansas City and beyond. Lifted Spirits Business partners Kyle Claypool and Michael Stuckey shared the story of how their home distillation hobby became a locally sourced…