Keystone Innovation District

Tonight's Keystone Sessions have been rescheduled to April 9th! Here is what to do instead ??

Call all Entrepreneurs, Startups, Tech Enthusiast and Community Members! Here is this Wednesday's lineup: ?? 5:00-6PM | Founder Stories: Phil Reynolds, Co-founder & CEO of DevStride Get inspired by the journeys of KC’s top entrepreneurs! This week, Phil Reynolds, co-founder & CEO of DevStride, shares how his background in social entrepreneurship has shaped his approach to overcoming challenges and driving innovation. ?? 6:00-7PM | The Disruption Lab: Stephanie Campbell, CEO at The Beacon Join Stephanie Campbell, CEO of The Beacon, for a deep dive into the future of nonprofit journalism. She’ll discuss how public service journalism is evolving and its impact on fostering informed, engaged communities across Kansas and Missouri. ?? 7:00-8PM | Angel Investing 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Early-Stage Investing Curious about investing in startups? Angel Investing 101 breaks down the essentials—how deals work, the risks and rewards, and what to look for in a startup opportunity. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your strategy, Kevin McGinnis will walk you through the key insights you need to start investing in early-stage companies. Drop in anytime between 5:00 and 8:00pm to check out these sessions! Let us know you’re coming: https://lnkd.in/gVYmZPZK #networking #entrepreneurship #investing Phil Reynolds Stephanie Campbell Kevin McGinnis

Sometimes, you just need to get a coffee at 1 a.m. Why? Because the project isn’t finished yet, and it’s due in the morning. Sometimes, your team can only meet at… 9 p.m.? Not everyone is an early bird, and sometimes, we even like to do our networking after hours. Switchyards is speaking to the early bird and the night owl in all of us, offering the first 24/7 work club here in Kansas City. Oh, and the coffee is free too. ;) We love when new ideas come to town—especially when they support community innovation and work-life balance (or, as we like to say, “work-life flexibility”). Let’s grab a coffee in April. Welcome to the Keystone District, Switchyards! Switchyards #kansascity #coffeeshop #coworking

"You can pause the programs, but you can't pause the purpose, right?" Right now, DEI is under attack, and the landscape for inclusive innovation is shifting fast. But as Craig Moore II puts it, no policy change can erase the purpose behind the movement. ?? The fight for diversity in entrepreneurship isn’t going away. ?? Innovation thrives on diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. ?? Collaboration and collective action are more critical than ever. This is the time to stand up. Resilience is in our DNA, and history has shown that real change happens when we refuse to back down. The work doesn’t stop because policies shift—we push forward, we fight for what we believe in, and we build something stronger. In this episode of The Disruption Lab, Craig Moore shares his journey from music promotions to ecosystem leadership, breaking down why most startup ecosystems fail diverse founders and what needs to change to create true inclusive innovation. Plus, we dive into Kansas City’s startup scene, data-driven solutions, and why "Kansas City Nice" is slowing down progress. ?? Catch the full episode out now. https://lnkd.in/gjunpYpK #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #DEI #StartupEcosystem #Leadership Kevin McGinnis

From funding startups to rebuilding trust in journalism—these conversations shape the future. Check out our upcoming sessions and key insights on the value they bring for you and our community.

Applications are open until March 21st…get yours in now!!

Are you building a?mission-driven?venture that’s tackling a pressing social or environmental challenge? The?Social Venture Studio Accelerator?is here to help you?scale your impact. What you get: ? Personalized mentorship from industry experts ? Connections to investors & funding opportunities ? Resources to refine your business model & strategy ? A collaborative community of like-minded innovators If you’re a?founder on a mission, this is your chance to take your venture to the next level. Applications are now open—don’t miss out! ???Apply today:?https://lnkd.in/gQEQD_sZ #SocialEntrepreneurship #StartupGrowth #ImpactDriven #SocialVenture #KeystoneInnovation #EntrepreneurSupport LaunchKC Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, MO

Keystone Sessions This Wednesday: STEAM, Supply Chain & Podcasting! Join us at Keystone Innovation District this Wednesday starting at 5 PM for an evening of game-changing insights, visionary leadership, and practical strategies for success. Here’s what’s in store: ?? 5:00-6PM | The Disruption Lab: STEAM, Culture, and Community w/ Pat Jordan, Founder of iSTEAMKC Discover how integrating arts into STEM is transforming urban development and inspiring innovation in Kansas City. Pat Jordan shares how culture and technology intersect to create a more equitable, dynamic future. ?? 6:00-7PM | The Disruption Lab: Dee Pack, CEO of Cargo Largo What do you do with undeliverable shipments? If you’re Dee Pack, you turn them into a booming enterprise. Learn how he built Cargo Largo into a powerhouse that processes 40,000+ shipments weekly—and the innovative thinking behind their brand-new 524,000 sq. ft. facility in Independence, MO. ?? 7:00-8PM | So You Want to Start a Podcast? Think social media alone will grow your podcast? Think again. With 3.2M podcasters and 207M+ content creators fighting for attention, you need a real strategy to stand out. This session will break down: ? How to Actually Grow Your Podcast ? Podcast SEO & Discoverability ? Formats That Attract Listeners ? The Role of Social Media (Without Relying on It) ? Does Your Business Even Need a Podcast? Drop in anytime between 5:00 and 8:00pm to check out these sessions! Let us know your coming: https://lnkd.in/dAYk7rKf #KeystoneSessions #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Podcasting #STEAM #BusinessGrowth Dee Pack Pat Jordan Gwendolyn Gillette

"The real work that's going to change people's lives, not the log into chat GPT and ask it some stuff kind of stuff, but the experience, a better world, more automated and hopefully more personalized for you" AI is evolving fast, but who’s really in control? Dan Carroll argues that we’re at a pivotal moment—where we can shape AI to serve people rather than letting corporations dictate our digital identities. The choices we make today about AI’s role in jobs, entrepreneurship, and society will?define our future. In this episode of The Disruption Lab, we explore how AI, automation, and tech investment will shape the future of work, privacy, and opportunity. We also get to the core of what really matters: investing in people, taking risks, and building a world that works for everyone. From AI’s role in reshaping business to tackling the affordable housing crisis, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger and take action. Will you step up? ?? Listen now. : https://lnkd.in/ga4szJHs #ai #emergingtech #podcast #entrepreneurship #startups Dan Carroll

Kansas City is hitting?"why do I live here?"?levels of cold, so we’re rescheduling tonight’s sessions to?March 19th. Megan Sturges' session?and?The Black Town Hall?have been moved to?March 19th. Tony?Caudill's session?will now be a?Disruption Lab studio exclusive, releasing on?March 13th. In the meantime, check out our upcoming sessions and plan to join us: 2/26 at 5:00 PM – The Disruption Lab: Pat Jordan Exploring the connection between arts, technology, and impact through STEAM education, cultural preservation, and community development. ? 2/26 at 6:00 PM – The Disruption Lab: Dee Pack Turning undeliverable shipments into a thriving business—insights into the liquidation industry, retail innovation, and supply chain disruption. Stay warm, stay safe, and we’ll see you when the air no longer hurts our faces! – The Keystone Team