GEWKC Speakers’ Best Data and Tech Tips for KC Founders
We sat down with four tech-focused Global Entrepreneurship Week – KC speakers who are ready to share their expertise. Keep reading for lessons from their sessions, which will help you learn how to trade gut instinct for informed strategy, manage your technology with confidence, make decisions that actually move the needle and more.
Stop Guessing, Start Growing: Data as Your Day 1 Strategy
For early-stage founders and Main Street entrepreneurs, the concept of being “data-driven” can feel overwhelming. But Cory Keller, who leads ecosystem development and strategic partnerships at the Kansas Department of Commerce, will show you that it’s much simpler, and more vital, than you think.
In his session, “Data as a Strategy: Why Smart Entrepreneurs Track from Day One,” Cory will reveal how treating data as a strategic asset, instead of a burden, helps you make better decisions, attract funding and scale up.
Who it’s for: Early-stage founders and anyone just getting started who needs to figure out their focus.
The mindset shift: Cory says you don’t have to be a “data person” to be data-driven. He advises entrepreneurs to start measuring a few simple things early to show investors you know your business inside and out.
The takeaway: Learn how Kansas programs, including Angel Ivestor Tax Credit, Accelerating Concept to Commercialization in Kansas and GrowKS, look for founders who truly understand their numbers. You’ll leave this session with practical tips and easy tools that make data feel doable, not intimidating.
“This talk is about how to use data to actually see what’s working, what’s not and where to spend your time and money,” Cory says. “It’s really about building better habits from day one.”
Add it to your schedule: Tuesday, November 18, “Data as a Strategy: Why Smart Entrepreneurs Track from Day One,” 3:15 – 4:15 p.m., Planetarium, Union Station
Ditch the Overwhelm: Your Practical Tech Road Map
Feeling buried under an avalanche of tech decisions? Wondering if you really need an app, a fancy point-of-sale system or another subscription? Nate Voss, a founder and managing partner at Flatlander Studio, has your prescription for tech clarity.
His session, “Maybe It’s an App? Your Guide to Tech for Small Business,” is designed for entrepreneurs who are experts in their field, but not in software.
Who it’s for: Entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed by tech demos, sales pitches and chasing trends. If you need confidence in your digital tools right now, this is for you.
The mindset shift: Nate trusts that the right tech, staged well, will empower your success. It should leave you in control, not burdened.
The takeaway: Nate says attendees will walk away with a focused, step-by-step roadmap for integrating essential technology that aligns inventory, sales, POS and your online presence to support real growth. He promises a practical, jargon-free framework to help you know what matters now and what can wait.
Add it to your schedule: Wednesday, November 19, “Maybe It’s an App? Your Guide to Tech for Small Business,” 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. Planetarium, Union Station
Think Like an AI: A Framework for Confident Decisions
Founders make decisions constantly, but often struggle with where to focus or how to use information effectively. Sierra Davis, owner and investor at Essential Investment Group LLC, draws on her career in data science and AI to share a powerful framework for strategic decision-making in her session, “The Thinking Founder: What a Career in AI Taught Me About Making Smarter Decisions.”
Who it’s for: Entrepreneurs tired of decision paralysis, whether you’re bootstrapping a side hustle or scaling to seven figures. No technical background is needed.
The mindset shift: Sierra says better decision-making doesn’t require more information or fancy tools. It’s about having the right approach to process what you already know.
The takeaway: Explore how to think more critically, use data in simple but effective ways and filter out distractions. Sierra will give you an immediate framework to apply to one current decision, helping you turn decision-making from exhausting chaos into a competitive advantage.
Sierra’s goal is simple: “Cut through the fog, reclaim some time and walk away knowing exactly how to tackle that one decision that’s been sitting heavy,” she says. “Come ready to think differently and leave ready to actually build something instead of just keeping up with the chaos.”
Add it to your schedule: Wednesday, November 19, “The Thinking Founder: What a Career in AI Taught Me About Making Smarter Decisions,” 12:45 – 1:45 p.m., Arthur Stilwell Room, Union Station
>> Need more 1:1, personalized help to launch your idea or take your current business to the next level? Schedule a free meeting with a KCSourceLink Community Network Navigator.