Call for applicants: LaunchKC seeks tech startups

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LaunchKC, the global grants competition for tech startup business, begins its third week for accepting applications today.

LaunchKC is grants competition for tech entrepreneurs to apply and compete for one of 10 (ten) $50,000 grants and a leg up in growing their business enterprises in Kansas City, Missouri. The LaunchKC competition is open to applicants locally, nationally and globally.

Each eventual grant recipient will receive a $50,000 grant and a network of support, including 12 months of free office space in Downtown; industry-specific mentor teams for each grant recipient; and opportunities to meet and learn from industry and entrepreneurial leaders in and around Kansas City – all designed to elevate their efforts to build high-growth, tech sector businesses and jobs in Downtown Kansas City.

The grants application window opened just after midnight on March 31, and closes on July 2, 2015. Following an extended application review process, the eventual grant recipients will be selected by a LaunchKC judging panel consisting of Kansas City business leaders and national venture capitalists at Techweek Kansas City on Sept. 18, 2015.

In the first two weeks of accepting applications via the LaunchKC.org website, the pace has been strong. Thus far, applications have been received or are in process from eight states and two countries outside of the U.S.

“We are delighted with the early response to the LaunchKC application window,” said Mike Hurd, chief marketing officer for LaunchKC and the Downtown Council. “We are looking for the best and brightest to enter the grants competition and compete to bring their business models to Kansas City.”

LaunchKC is an initiative of the Downtown Council of Kansas City, Missouri, working in partnership with the Economic Development Corporation. It stems from Kansas City Mayor Sly James’ bi-state innovation initiative that was established in 2013.

LaunchKC is nonprofit, civic engine in the Kansas City tech scene. It is fueled by visionary investments from the Missouri Technology Corporation and other public, private and philanthropic communities, and maintained by a broad base of collaborators in the entrepreneurial and technology space. Click here for a current list of LaunchKC sponsors.

The bottom is line for LaunchKC is crystal clear:

  • Grow jobs and build new businesses in Kansas City, Missouri
  • Engage venture capitalists and equity investors in the tech scene of Kansas City
  • Elevate Kansas City’s brand as an innovation center across the country
  • Serve as an engine for regional and national tech talent recruitment

“LaunchKC will search locally and nationally to identify innovative entrepreneurs – the ‘real drivers,’ like mid-career professionals with expertise in existing industries to be uniquely qualified to spin off new businesses,” said Bill Dietrich, chief administrative office of LaunchKC and president & CEO of the Downtown Council.

LaunchKC will focus on high-growth potential businesses in scalable, vertical sectors – such as Big Data via Advanced Manufacturing, AgTech, Animal Health, Data Analytics, EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, Mobile Tech, Cloud Services and Real Estate Tech – where KC has considerable depth and expertise to aid in welcoming and support the new startups.

To apply for a LaunchKC grant or to learn more, visit www.launchkc.org.

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