If you’ve been on the Wichita tech scene for any amount of time, then you’ve probably met Dave Cunningham. Dave was one of our first members in 2019, and he still offices out of Groover Labs. Alongside operating custom software consultancy Flint Hills Group, Dave also developed CAMPFIRE, our springtime startup series for tech founders based on Stanford University’s and Y Combinator’s startup course.
Dave has worked with some of Wichita’s largest employers. Nine years ago, he started Flint Hills Group, now one of the largest custom software consultancies in Kansas. He’s helped several of our members by providing customer software solutions for their startups. Dave is also the founder of the Whiskey Shelf App, a favorite of whiskey connoisseurs who track and measure the value of their collections.
We asked Dave about his experience starting Flint Hills Group, the mistakes first-time founders make, and the value of hubs like Groover Labs.
What struck us about Dave’s answers, and if you know Dave at all then you’ll understand what we’re saying, is that he is one of the best natural networkers we’ve seen. Even with his inquisitive mind and propensity to engage with people, it was difficult for Dave, as a first-time founder, to find a community of peers to support him on his journey.
Learn how Dave pivoted from aerospace engineering to computer science below.
As a CAMPFIRE Mentor, what expertise do you offer those who attend? a.k.a. What is your connection with the startup community and/or entrepreneurship?
I offer 38 years of software and technology experience spanning multiple industries. I created a custom software consultancy (Flint Hills Group) that has operated for 8 years.
When I started Flint Hills Group, I found there was nothing out there for new entrepreneurs to help create tech startups.
I knew there needed to be a business startup cookbook. After witnessing Stanford’s Y Combinator program and checking out Brian McClendon’s startup course at Kansas University, I was encouraged me to create CAMPFIRE to help new founders.
What's a common mistake you've noticed first-time founders make?
They don’t prove their idea well enough or focus on generating revenue quickly.
What's something you wish you knew before starting your professional career?
One thing I wish I had known, I wish I had a group of experienced entrepreneurs who could have helped me start my business.
Another thing, at the start of my college journey, I actually wanted to be an aerospace engineer, but I quickly felt out of my depth. I ended up taking a semester of trying different classes before I turned to computer science. I like puzzle solving and creating something in my mind and putting it out into the world.
Did you have any mentors in your life? If so, when did you realize you needed one, and why? What should someone look for in a mentor?
I had some managers who were great career mentors but few if any who mentored me in starting a business as a friend. People are happy to charge you for advice, and for people newly graduating college, to pay consultants $20,000 or more doesn’t make much sense.
What makes the community at Groover Labs unique?
Groover Labs wants to grow the whole technology sector in the Wichita area. They are not trying to profit from this as a non-profit. They are welcoming and not pretentious.