TIDBITS TECH
KC TECHNOLOGY story by PETE DULIN
GOOGLE FIBER
a phone. EyeVerify negotiated a worldwide
including intelligent data capture, integration
Google Fiber’s debut in Kansas City
exclusive license to a patent developed by
technology and more. Perceptive helps
shines a spotlight on the city’s existing
University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC)
companies to streamline their processes,
technology scene and its potential for
scientists and West Virginia University.
reduce costs from paperwork and improve
growth. The superfast service boosts the
Another startup, RareWire, creates
customer service within a wide range of
city’s prominence in Silicon Prairie and across
apps on iOS and Android mobile devices
industries. The company has become so
the U.S. Also, it provides a competitive
through the use of its App Creation Studio.
successful in its field that it was acquired
advantage and benefits to local startups,
The company has created apps for Boulevard
as a business unit of Lexmark International.
homes, businesses and organizations as the
Brewing Company, The Atlantic, retailer
Garmin is known for the application of
service has plans to expand across the metro
Forever 21 and Graphic Design USA.
its GPS technology in products and apps that help the world navigate, be it aviation,
to nearby suburbs like fast-growing Olathe,
INDUSTRY LEADERS
Kan. over the next two years.
marine, fitness, outdoor recreation or tracking.
“Google Fiber gives us a leg up on other
At the other end of the spectrum, established
The company develops some of the coolest
regions,” says Tim McKee, Olathe Chamber
companies like Perceptive Software, Garmin,
products on the planet––such as Vector, a
of Commerce CEO. “Omaha, St. Louis,
Sprint and Cerner, are industry leaders in
high-precision, pedal-based power meter,
Denver, Tulsa, Oklahoma City—They don’t
their respective fields. These companies began
designed for cyclists by cyclists.
have this and it may be quite some time
in Kansas City and have grown into the
before they do, which makes Kansas City
mature companies they are today.
Cerner’s software and products help health care facilities around the world
Sprint continues to innovate and lead
improve pharmaceuticals, medical devices
with its array of products and services for
and other fields. Cerner’s success landed
businesses and consumers that extend beyond
the company on Forbes 2013 Top 10
mobile phones. For example, Sprint Velocity is
Most Innovative Companies in the U.S.
Google Fiber has fueled local tech
an emerging vehicle technology that provides
list (Cerner is ranked 13th in the world).
startups and initiatives including the
Internet access and helps drivers concentrate
The company recently entered an agreement
development of the Kansas City Startup Village
on driving. A June 2013 Forbes article states,
to purchase approximately 237 acres in
(#KCSV). The village is an entrepreneur-led,
“Sprint is becoming a leading player in the
south Kansas City. The expanded campus,
organic,
helping
vehicle communications market by offering
if constructed, would potentially house
bolster the Kansas City entrepreneurial and
more than just the wireless connection. It
12,000-15,000
startup community.
has also developed expertise in navigation,
upon full build-out.
that much more attractive.”
KANSAS CITY STARTUP VILLAGE
grassroots
initiative
additional
associates
EyeVerify is one of two-dozen startups
managing complicated vendor ecosystems
that are residents of the Village. Led by
and adapting communications applications
resources: Sprint sprint.com, Kansas City
Founder and CEO Toby Rush, EyeVerify
to the driving environment.”
Startup Village kcstartupvillage.org, Perceptive
is focused on eye vein biometrics that
Perceptive Software builds process and
can deliver fingerprint level accuracy from
content management software for business
Software
perceptivesoftware.com,
Garmin
garmin.com, Cerner cerner.com
Brought to you by KCADC & Anthem Publishing
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