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

        Nour’s extends flavor of 39th Street’s ‘restaurant row’ to long-vacant neighborhood cafe

        By Tommy Felts | May 27, 2025

        After a lengthy stint developing corporate dining concepts, Kansas City chef Marwan Chebaro has spent two years planning his return to public dining. Set to open in June, Chebaro’s new Nour’s restaurant will showcase his native Lebanese cuisine and culture while helping bring the community together, he said. The venture at 3855 Warwick Blvd., in…

        Entrepreneur duo uses KC Current blueprint to acquire Danish football, build multi-club portfolio

        By Tommy Felts | May 27, 2025

        A just-announced deal to purchase a premier women’s football club in Denmark reflects Angie and Chris Long’s unwavering commitment to investing in women’s soccer at the highest level, the couple said, noting they’ll continue their work to raise the bar for players, supporters, and communities both nationally and internationally. Ballard Capital, a sports entertainment-focused investment…

        How tech can put humanity back in hiring: Interview app brings beta test to Kansas City

        By Tommy Felts | May 27, 2025

        Automation in the hiring process is leaving critical details — and quality, diverse talent — out of the jobs market, said Chelsea Parker, a Kansas City human resources innovator whose new Interview app aims to reconnect recruiters and applicants on a human level.  “Interview is the TikTok of LinkedIn,” said Parker, the HR trendsetter behind creating an…

        Time runs out for Missouri angel investor tax credit push as legislators close session early 

        By Tommy Felts | May 23, 2025

        A last-minute effort to pass legislation to boost Missouri entrepreneurs and innovators was thwarted earlier this month when state lawmakers abruptly ended their legislative session, said Jason Wiens, who led advocacy for the creation of a new Show-Me State angel investor tax credit. Amid “escalating partisan tensions” May 14 — and headline grabbing speculation about how…