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

        Pure Pitch Rally reveals competitors for its 10th crowd-funded, spot-cash pitch contest

        By Tommy Felts | October 13, 2025

        Eight emerging startups set to take the Pure Pitch Rally stage next month will become part of the Kansas City tech community’s evolving story, said Karen Fenaroli, touting a decade of impact that has seen millions in follow-on capital raised and thousands of jobs created across the region. “It is no longer just an event,”…

        Sisters brew backyard-style beers from a historic firehouse in Budweiser territory

        By Tommy Felts | October 11, 2025

        Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A midlife career crisis took Carol…

        LISTEN: Meet the partners behind Plug and Play Topeka’s growth (and impact)

        By Tommy Felts | October 10, 2025

        On a special episode of Startland News’ 12-part podcast series diving deeper into Plug and Play, we explore how the Topeka-based program and its partners work to turn bold ideas into Kansas success stories. Guests includes Bret Lanz from Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute; John G. Brown of StenCo; and Cole Ahlvers from NQV8…

        Pour decisions: Craft beverage enthusiasts add Sunday tasting event to KC’s pregame cart

        By Tommy Felts | October 9, 2025

        Kansas City’s roster of craft beverages — from rookies to veteran players on the scene — come to the field in a wide range of uniforms, said Jason Burton, noting there’s no better time to checkout the lineup with thirsty friends than as the Chiefs return to Arrowhead Stadium this weekend. The play: showcase Kansas…