Techweek, Launch KC winners have shot at more money
May 26, 2015 | Bobby Burch
The winning company at a demo day competition during Kansas City’s coming Techweek conference will earn a chance at nabbing significantly more dough.
In addition to a $50,000 LaunchKC grant, the winning firm would have a shot at an added $50,000 from a national competition. LaunchKC — an initiative to attract 10 tech firms to relocate to Kansas City — partnered with Techweek to present the competition, which is expected to attract hundreds of attendees.
Judges will whittle down the 10 grant finalists from a group of about 25 pre-selected startups, who will then slug it out for the additional $50,000 at the event’s “Launch Championship.” The Launch Championship will be held in Miami.
“The Launch Championship is the ultimate startup pitch competition,” said Andrew Charnesky, a director of Techweek’s event.
Charnesky added that Techweek offers startups a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their pitches with experienced judges and in front of a live audience.
Techweek is a weeklong conference that features a variety of programs, including prominent technologists, speakers, a job fair, fashion show, social events and many others. Techweek is expecting 3,000 to 5,000 participants for its inaugural conference in Kansas City. Among the first announced speakers include Jonathan Badeen, co-founder of Tinder, and Kristin Smith, CEO of Code Fellows.
Kansas City’s Techweek is set for Sept. 14 – Sept. 20. Click here to learn more on the event.
(Editor’s note: Startland News was initially provided erroneous information on prize values. The story has now been corrected with the appropriate prize values.)
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Compute Midwest named top national tech conference
Consistently attracting futurists and tech leaders from around the U.S., Compute Midwest recently was named a national tech conference that shouldn’t be overlooked. Inc. Magazine included the annual, Kansas City-based conference on its “Top Tech Conferences You Can’t Miss This Fall” list, noting the event’s traditionally strong lineup of speakers. Presented by the Disruption institute,…
Dozens of skyrocketing KC firms break into the Inc. 5000
Kansas City held its own on Inc. Magazine’s annual ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing, private companies. The Wednesday unveiling of the Inc. 5000 featured 44 metro firms — including several area tech firms, like k12itc and Rhythm Engineering. K12itc, which in January made Startland’s 2016 top 10 startups to watch, delivers cloud-based IT services to…
Backstitch wants to fix a billion-dollar communication dilemma
With the cost of poor business communication climbing as high as $37 billion a year, Backstitch founders Jordan and Stefanie Warzecha saw an opportunity to clear the air. The married couple — who say communication has never been a problem for them — founded their corporate communications platform in 2012. Backstitch aims to mitigate the…
Google Fiber names local duo as digital inclusion leaders
After a successful first year, Google Fiber — in partnership with the Nonprofit Technology Network — has announced its second round of Digital Inclusion Fellows. As part of the program, fellows will create and lead digital literacy efforts in the 11 metro areas with Google Fiber, including Kansas City. Initiatives include assisting adults with high…