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.

No. They lied to everyone and failed to deliver.

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.

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.