KCK tech firm RFP365 named ‘new small business’ of the year
June 5, 2015 | Bobby Burch
The wins are stacking up for RFP365.
Now weeks after scoring a contract with the City of Kansas City, Mo., the tech company was named the 2015 “New Small Business of the Year” Friday by the Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce. A member of the Kansas City Startup Village, RFP365 created software that eases the request for proposal process for issuers and drafters of RFPs.
“It’s an honor just being nominated, and definitely to win,” RFP365 co-founder Stuart Ludlow said. “Being in the Startup Village has really helped us overcome some of the challenges that new businesses face. The Village has really helped us grow as a company and helped us to win this award.”
RFP365 also recently landed $950,000 from regional angel investors, which allowed the co-founders to add marketing, sales and tech staff. Based in Kansas City, Kan., RFP365 now has seven employees and more than 100 customers in North America, Europe, Africa and Australia.
The Kansas City Startup Village, which contains nearly 30 startup companies, also was nominated as a finalist in the KCK Chamber of Commerce’s small business awards as the non-profit of the year. The Community Housing of Wyandotte County won the Non-Profit of the Year award, and El Padrino Soccer Apparel & Soccer Nation won Small Business of the Year.
Featured Business
Related Posts on Startland News
They just wanted someone to notice: 10 years (and an exit) later, the first founders featured in Startland News have come 360
Editor’s note: Startland News — officially launched May 4, 2015 — is marking its 10-year anniversary this spring. As part of this observance, the nonprofit newsroom is taking a look back at pivotal moments in its decade-long run, as well as impact along the way. Longtime editor-in-chief Tommy Felts caught up with Stuart Ludlow and David…
Exited founders: Face the tough conversations first; avoid a messy post-honeymoon breakup
Preparing for an exit begins with co-founder alignment at the startup’s launch, three veteran Kansas City founders agreed. “You are getting married to your founders,” explained Tony Caudill, who co-founded two tech startups with his best friend — including aware3, which was acquired in 2018 by Nelnet. “Just like when you find your mate of…
Former sports executive teams with startup veteran to simplify visa process for foreign athletes
After 16 years handling immigration visas for the Kansas City Royals, Kyle Vena knew there must be a better way to streamline the daunting task of bringing athletes to the U.S. to play baseball — and keeping them, he shared. “When I left [the job] in the summer of 2022, I had this concept baked…
Tech company at the vanguard of KC startup boom exits to West Coast competitor
One of Kansas City’s earliest startups to watch of the past decade has been acquired by an Oregon-based competitor. RFPIO announced the purchase of RFP360, a Leawood-based software-as-a-service startup, Tuesday morning. A dollar amount for the deal was not disclosed. “Through this acquisition, I’m extremely excited about the future as we work together to drive…