Everyone’s heard of Silicon Valley, but these days, a phrase that’s tossed around more and more in tech circles is the “Silicon Prairie.” That’s because places like Kansas City are changing the perception of the Midwest from a bunch of “flyover states” to a major hub of technological industries. Some of the most successful startups in Kansas City in the last few years have been tech-based, and it seems that the tech industry here is still booming, long after Google’s announcement that Kansas City would be the first city in the country to receive Google Fiber.
The well-known Crossroads Arts District, situated between downtown and picturesque Union Station, has found new life as a home for booming technology companies, as well as burgeoning startups. Thanks in part to organizations like LaunchKC, conceived through collaboration between the Mayor’s office, EDCKC, and the Downtown Council of Kansas City, the Crossroads has seen major growth as a hot spot for IT companies.
Think Big Partners has also been a leader in the growth of technology resources for entrepreneurs in Kansas City. The business accelerator-incubator hybrid just recently moved into the newly renovated Globe Building at 1712 Main Street, in the Crossroads district, where they can now offer 75 percent more space to growing tech companies.
The Nerdery, an established web development company whose goal is to be the “best place for nerds to work,” just opened an office in Kansas City and plans to add 100 more employees (nerds) in the near future. “The Nerdery is incredibly grateful for the amazing things that EDCKC has offered us in support, and generally speaking, the open arms of the KC community,” said Tom O’Neill, President of the Nerdery.
And it’s not just outside companies looking to take advantage of all Kansas City has to offer technology companies. Useagility, an established Kansas City UX firm that helps companies make their technology more user friendly, continues to grow and hire, and was recently named one of the top 25 Under 25 companies in Kansas City by Thinking Bigger Business Media. The award recognizes 25 outstanding Kansas City businesses with under 25 employees and we are proud of the many growing KC technology companies that have received this award over the past few years.
Both new, and existing technology companies are thriving here in Kansas City and because of their strong desire for growth, Kansas City will continue to grow in our efforts to support them. Growing companies don’t just need office space. Their owners and employees need places to live, shop, eat, bank, work-out and find entertainment. Their company growth brings community growth around them in the form of new jobs, and more new businesses to serve them.
Perks like the Kauffman Foundation, support from corporate partners who provide funding for local accelerators, Universities and colleges who provide condensed business programs, one of the most innovative Mayors in the country, a new streetcar line, a thriving night life, and of course, our famous barbecue, are all part of the big picture in attracting and retaining high opportunity companies to our Midwestern Metropolis. The Nerdery’s stated goal was to be the best place in KC for nerds to work—but it just might turn out that Kansas City itself is the best place for tech entrepreneurs to work, period.