3 ms·

Is there a big tech startup scene in the Kansas City area?

suzzer99 7y ago
No. They lied to everyone and failed to deliver.
karatestomp 7y ago
Big for a city like Kansas City I guess. But not really, no. If you’re here and want to work in startups you can find one, probably. Pay’s usually bad even by local standards, but it’s also all over the place so some do pay (local) market.
exabrial 7y ago
Not really, but they do exist, and I've exclusively worked for startups or small companies for 8 years now. We only have a handful of large corp companies to supplement startup growth (Garmin, Cerner, etc). Another commenter lamented about wages, but I've never had an issue with that. The key is to position yourself as a big fish in the small pond that is KC. To maximize your wage growth: The usual strategy of "being an expert in X hottest sexy technology" doesn't work here, you have to respond to the market wants. The main benefit of KC is the extraordinarily low cost of living, easy commute, and low population density. If you're an urbanite, you'll likely find it too small. The benefits though are low taxes, low housing costs, little government involvement in your personal life, quiet living, and the best barbecue on planet earth.
- karatestomp 7y ago
  Great Mexican food, too, and our fine dining is surprisingly decent, considering. The rest of our food scene’s kinda overpriced and hit-or-miss on quality but those are good. Outdoors life’s shit unless your into hunting or fishing. Worst part about living here, easily.
  - EADGBE 7y ago
    What would you like to see outdoors that you don't currently?
    - exabrial 7y ago
      Nice set of mountains would be cool. Or move the Lake of the Ozarks two hours closer.
GaryNumanVevo 7y ago
KC isn't really a place for startups. In my experience there's only demand for a handful of "Senior Staff / Principal Staff" engineers. Having worked with a few out in Kansas, they have the skills experience of a "Senior Engineer" in SV or less. Not a lot of upward mobility. Hard to hire young talent. Great barbecue and 4 seasons if you're so inclined.

No. They lied to everyone and failed to deliver.

Big for a city like Kansas City I guess. But not really, no. If you’re here and want to work in startups you can find one, probably. Pay’s usually bad even by local standards, but it’s also all over the place so some do pay (local) market.

exabrial 7y ago

Not really, but they do exist, and I've exclusively worked for startups or small companies for 8 years now. We only have a handful of large corp companies to supplement startup growth (Garmin, Cerner, etc). Another commenter lamented about wages, but I've never had an issue with that. The key is to position yourself as a big fish in the small pond that is KC. To maximize your wage growth: The usual strategy of "being an expert in X hottest sexy technology" doesn't work here, you have to respond to the market wants. The main benefit of KC is the extraordinarily low cost of living, easy commute, and low population density. If you're an urbanite, you'll likely find it too small. The benefits though are low taxes, low housing costs, little government involvement in your personal life, quiet living, and the best barbecue on planet earth.

karatestomp 7y ago
Great Mexican food, too, and our fine dining is surprisingly decent, considering. The rest of our food scene’s kinda overpriced and hit-or-miss on quality but those are good. Outdoors life’s shit unless your into hunting or fishing. Worst part about living here, easily.
- EADGBE 7y ago
  What would you like to see outdoors that you don't currently?
  - exabrial 7y ago
    Nice set of mountains would be cool. Or move the Lake of the Ozarks two hours closer.

GaryNumanVevo 7y ago

KC isn't really a place for startups. In my experience there's only demand for a handful of "Senior Staff / Principal Staff" engineers. Having worked with a few out in Kansas, they have the skills experience of a "Senior Engineer" in SV or less. Not a lot of upward mobility. Hard to hire young talent. Great barbecue and 4 seasons if you're so inclined.