News Summary
The ‘Inspiring Women Live!’ event in Kansas City featured local entrepreneurs discussing the significant funding gaps women face in the startup ecosystem. Jannae Gammage and Conner Hazelrigg emphasized the need for collaboration among female entrepreneurs to overcome barriers and promote greater representation in tech. The discussion highlighted ongoing challenges, such as the scarcity of capital and talent, while calling for collective efforts to enhance the local entrepreneurial landscape.
Kansas City Women Entrepreneurs Shine Light on Funding Gaps and Collaboration
The vibrant city of Kansas City recently hosted an exciting event, “Inspiring Women Live!” at Spark Coworking, where two dynamic women entrepreneurs took center stage to share their insights about the challenges they face in the ever-evolving startup ecosystem. The fireside chat featured visionary leaders, Jannae Gammage and Conner Hazelrigg, who are making waves in their respective industries.
Jannae Gammage is the co-founder of Cyphr, a fintech company focused on using artificial intelligence to improve access to capital. Conner Hazelrigg is the co-founder of Hilltop Technologies, a promising cybersecurity startup. Together, they delved into the competitive landscape of entrepreneurship in Kansas City, highlighting a prevalent issue: women entrepreneurs often encounter deeper funding gaps compared to their male counterparts.
The Startup Scene in Kansas City
During the discussion, Gammage pointed out that while Kansas City is a friendly environment for early-stage startups, once companies reach a point of needing to expand beyond the initial phase, the support tends to dwindle. Local entrepreneurs are finding it increasingly tough to secure the funding necessary to elevate their businesses to the next stage, creating a significant hurdle for many.
The scarcity of capital becomes even more pronounced at this level, leaving many talented women entrepreneurs feeling as though they are on their own in a vast wilderness of competition. Gammage mentioned that the intense focus on securing funding often distracts entrepreneurs from their core business goals, which can be detrimental to their long-term success.
A Call for Collaboration
Collaboration, or the lack thereof, surfaced as another critical theme. Gammage and Hazelrigg expressed concern over the perceived lack of cooperation among local startups, leading to a less efficient use of resources. Instead of competing against one another, they believe there is a tremendous opportunity for women entrepreneurs to come together and help lift each other, thereby strengthening the entire startup community.
They both touched on another pressing issue: a talent gap in the Kansas City tech scene. The shortage of necessary tech skills has left many companies struggling to find the right employees. Addressing this gap is essential not only for the growth of individual businesses but also for the overall health of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the city.
Boosting Female Representation in Tech
Hazelrigg highlighted the necessity for more female representation in both the entrepreneurship and technology sectors. Increasing participation from women will not only foster a more inclusive atmosphere but also drive innovation and creative solutions within the industry.
The “Inspiring Women Live!” event not only aimed to pinpoint the various challenges within the entrepreneurial landscape but also sought to devise strategies to navigate these obstacles. The heartfelt discussion showcased the resilience and tenacity required to thrive as female entrepreneurs.
Finding Support in Algorithms
Gammage noted that her mission with Cyphr partly arose from her experiences battling a lack of financing options. Meanwhile, Hazelrigg shared her insights on shifting focus from the challenges of competition to discovering new opportunities for growth and collaboration. The collaboration mindset is crucial, according to them; successful entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive when individuals focus on helping one another succeed rather than just competing.
The Path Forward
As the conversation unfolded, both founders reaffirmed the importance of resilience and adaptability in this thrilling and unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. The key takeaway was unequivocal: cultivating an environment that encourages collective success rather than individual competition is essential for both personal and community growth.
As Kansas City continues to nurture its entrepreneurial scene, it’s clear that events like “Inspiring Women Live!” are vital for sparking discussions around funding, collaboration, and the need for greater representation of women in the tech and business realm. With a collective effort, the potential for success is limitless.
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Additional Resources
- Startland News: Kansas City Women Entrepreneurs Shine Light on Funding Gaps and Collaboration
- Wikipedia: Entrepreneurship
- Startland News: LaunchKC – Jannae Gammage & Cyphr
- Google Search: Women Entrepreneurs Kansas City
- Startland News: MTC Idea Fund Kansas City
- Google Scholar: Funding Gaps in Entrepreneurship
- Startland News: LaunchKC 2023
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Startup
- Startland News: 10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2021
- Google News: Women in Technology
