Judging Begins on LaunchKC Grant Applications

LaunchKC Grant Competition Judging Has Begun!

In Entrepreneurs by Barbara Shakespeare

LaunchKC, the global grants competition for tech entrepreneurs, completed a successful application period on July 8th, topping its goal for the number of applications received for the 2017 competition. Approximately 400 applications from 19 states and five nations were submitted by entrepreneurs who will be competing for $500,000 in LaunchKC grants to be awarded at the Techweek Kansas City conference in September.

Following an extensive judging process that begins this week, the field will be pared down to 20 finalists who will compete for nine grants that include a $100,000 grand prize and eight $50,000 grants. The final competition will take place on Friday, Sept. 15 at the Techweek KC conference.

“LaunchKC has attracted more than 1,500 applications from around the world during our first three years of competition,” said Drew Solomon, Sr. Vice President of Business and Job Development and chair of the LaunchKC competition. “This year’s field is a tough one, with great talent, vision, and clearly visible drive in their applications and pitch videos.”

LaunchKC is a non-profit initiative of the Downtown Council of Kansas City, in collaboration with the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City. It is fueled by the visionary support of corporate, public and philanthropic partners, including:

  • Strategic:
    • Missouri Technology Corporation,
    • City of Kansas City, Missouri
    • William T. Kemper Foundation
  • Visionary:
    • Kansas City Power & Light District
    • UMB Bank
    • Techweek
  • Contributing:
    • Burns & McDonnell
    • Google Fiber
    • KCP&L
    • Lead Bank
    • Husch Blackwell
    • Missouri Department of Economic Development
    • Polsinelli
  • Emerging:
    • Allied Global
    • J.E. Dunn Construction
    • ITEN
    • Lathrop & Gage
    • Marriott Downtown Kansas City
  • Supporters:
    • Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
    • Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Center
    • Regnier Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    • Think Big Partners
    • UMKC Bloch School of Business

For more information, please visit LaunchKC.org