KC picks who they think will win LaunchKC’s $50K grants

September 18, 2015  |  Bobby Burch

Techweek (9 of 15)

Twenty startups are hoping to snag $50,000 during the LaunchKC grant competition.

Nearly 500 companies applied to be part of the contest, which will be announcing the winners at Techweek Kansas City at 3 p.m. Friday. Below are predictions from a few members of the tech, startup and entrepreneurship community meandering around Techweek on who they think will win the grants.

Startland News will report the winners later today, so make sure to check back to see who of our predictors was most accurate. An underlined company denotes who they think will win the people’s choice award. Click here to see what companies won the grants.

Melissa Roberts

Melissa Roberts

Melissa Roberts, marketing director at the Enterprise Center of Johnson County (5 correct)
LaborChart
KC Drone Company
Integrated Roadways
SkillGravity
Edge Up Sports
SquareOffs
Nodal Security
Pycno
Blooom
Ulytic


 

Rick Usher

Rick Usher

Rick Usher, assistant city manager for entrepreneurship and small business with the (5 correct)
Ovatemp
Integrated Roadways
KC Drone Company
REI Hammer
SquareOffs
Blooom
Loadlytics
TapTeach
PopBookings
Ulytic

 


 

Grant Gooding

Grant Gordon


Grant Gordon, president of Solomon Consulting (1st place, tie, 7 correct)

HealthID
KC Drone Company
SquareOffs
Vertisense
Blooom
Loadlytics
PopBookings
TapTeach
VideoFizz
Ulytic

 


 

Jason Grill

Jason Grill


Jason Grill, senior advisor at Parris Communications (1st place, tie, 7 correct)

Integrated Roadways
HealthID
SkillGravity
Edge Up Sports
SquareOffs
Pycno
Blooom
Loadlytics
PopBookings
VideoFizz


 

Brian Azorsky

Brian Azorsky


Bryan Azorsky, founder of Tin Man Prints (6 correct)

Ovatemp
Integrated Roadways
HealthID
Edge Up Sports
Mobility Designed
Pycno
Vertisense
Blooom
PopBookings
TapTeach

 


 

Kaitin Motley

Kaitin Motley

Kaitlin Motley, technology marketer (5 correct)
Ovatemp
Integrated Roadways
HealthID
Edge Up Sports
Nodal Security
Pycno
Virtutecture
Blooom
Loadlytics
Ulytic

 


 

Dustin Abercrombie

Dustin Abercrombie

Dustin Abercrombie, founder of VeriQuik (1st place, tie, 7 correct)
LaborChart
Integrated Roadways
Edge Up Sports
KC Drone Company
Nodal Security
Virtutecture
Vertisense
Blooom
PopBookings
VideoFizz

 


 

IMAG3815

Scott Howell


Scott Howell, front-end web developer at Pinsight Media+(1st place, tie, 7 correct)

LaborChart
Integrated Roadways
Edge Up Sports
SkillGravity
SquareOffs
Nodal Security
Pycno
Vertisense
Blooom
PopBookings

 

 

 


 

Techweek (5 of 15)

Matthew Marcus

Matthew Marcus, founder of 1 Minute Candidate (5 correct)
Ovatemp
SkillGravity
Edge Up Sports
SquareOffs
Pycno
Vertisense
Blooom
PopBookings
VideoFizz
Ulytic


 

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2015 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Protein-packed pallets: Sam’s Club deal pushes SimplyFUEL balls to record production (and Mitzi Dulan is rolling with it)

        By Tommy Felts | February 21, 2025

        Juggling more than 50 million protein balls in 2024 is paying off for SimplyFUEL, Mitzi Dulan said, noting production quadrupled during the past year after adding retail giant Sam’s Club to its wholesale lineup. The founder and CEO is already riding that momentum in 2025, she said, teasing another big retailer launch in April. It’s…

        Kansas City HR tech startup earns $9M defense contract to help hire skilled workers for nuclear subs

        By Tommy Felts | February 20, 2025

        Meeting the U.S. Navy’s aggressive hiring goals requires collaboration across thousands of contractors in all 50 states at a time when America is already experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, said Ray Dick, co-founder of a talent assessment and hiring software platform developed specifically for manufacturing and skilled trades. His Kansas City, Missouri-based company, Piccadilly…

        Fifth & Emery rebrand puts local in control; Isaac Lee Collins’ next move: add handmade chocolate

        By Tommy Felts | February 20, 2025

        Taking his businesses independent is the cherry on top for Isaac Lee Collins, following more than a decade building his credentials as one of Kansas City’s most consistent and resilient entrepreneurs. A rebrand of Collins’ frozen yogurt ventures adds a further twist to his story. “After 10 years of being a franchisee of Yogurtini and…

        Prospect KC earns $10K grant from Jacques Pépin Foundation as Gumbo Fest set to return

        By Tommy Felts | February 19, 2025

        A newly announced grant will be pivotal to advance The Prospect KC’s mission to empower lives, disrupt poverty, and cultivate community through culinary education, said chef and founder Shanita McAfee-Bryant. The $10,000 grant from The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) is one of 16 recently awarded to organizations that use culinary arts to enhance lives and…