MTC gifts $2.6M to 10 Missouri tech firms, including one from KC

December 9, 2016  |  Bobby Burch

Photo by Paul Sableman

The Missouri Technology Corporation is making the holidays extra special for 10 Show Me State startups.

With an aim to grow the state’s tech and bioscience sectors, the MTC announced that it approved $2.6 million in co-investment awards to 10 firms, including $225,000 to Kansas City-based SquareOffs. Founded in 2012 by Jeff Rohr, SquareOffs created an interactive polling platform that increases engagement and communication for publishers, bloggers and brands.

“This early-stage support allows startups to gain some traction in their capital raising efforts,” MTC executive director Bill Anderson said in a release. “It’s another way for these young companies to demonstrate validation of their concept to potential investors and for the state to solidify its reputation as being a growing innovation hub.”

MTC also allocated funding awards to six startups from St. Louis and one each from Brentwood, Chesterfield and Wildwood.

The capital derives from the MTC’s IDEA Fund, a program that will match other capital investments in high-growth tech companies. Since 2011, the program has co-invested in 95 companies, which have in turn been able to raise over $350 million in additional capital to grow their businesses and create jobs.

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

      2016 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Nia Richardson, KC Bizcare, and Emma Willis, Venture Noire

        They want to create a SXSW-style festival in KC, but City of Entrepreneurs’ plans for Black founders dig even deeper

        By Tommy Felts | February 24, 2022

        Activation is just the beginning for organizers of a new, high-profile partnership that aims to boost Black business owners — starting in Kansas City — via programming, resources, major events and a soon-to-be announced accelerator. Entrepreneurs, investors and local politicians gathered Wednesday to celebrate the soft launch of City of Entrepreneurs — a new initiative that…

        Marissa Gencarelli, Yoli Tortilleria

        Westside tortilleria’s from-scratch corn creations earn prestigious James Beard nod

        By Tommy Felts | February 24, 2022

        A husband-and-wife tortilla-making duo in Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood are among semifinalists for one of the world’s most-prestigious accolades for restaurants and chefs: a James Beard Award. Marissa and Mark Gencarelli, co-founders of Yoli Tortilleria, were announced Wednesday as semifinalists for the James Beard “Outstanding Baker” honor. Twenty restaurants from across the country are now…

        WATCH: Small biz struggles didn’t begin with pandemic pinch, says Rep. Davids; solutions go beyond COVID relief

        By Tommy Felts | February 24, 2022

        The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exaggerated pain points that small business owners were already facing before the global health crisis, said U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids. “I really think that what the pandemic did was, in some ways, highlighted the things that we should have been focusing on. … I know a lot…

        Bo Lais, Lula

        Lula posts $3M round from single VC investor as proptech startup rapidly scales

        By Tommy Felts | February 23, 2022

        A $3 million injection of funding for Lula means more jobs for Kansas City, revealed Bo Lais.  But that’s not all it signals, he added, noting the fast-growing startup to watch is well on its way to achieving major milestones in 2022.  “We truly believe in solving real problems in this industry and always think…