The 2017 Battle of the Brands set to kick off

February 1, 2017  |  Meghan LeVota

boxing-gloves-1709174_1920

Along with dozens of participating companies around the metro area, KCSourceLink is gearing up for its 2017’s Battle of the Brands competition.

Battle of the Brands is a bracket-style competition that pits Kansas City businesses against each other — only one will reign as the “Aristo of Entrepreneurship.”

Its purpose? To shine a light on Kansas City businesses and cultivate entrepreneurial enthusiasm.

The criteria is simple. Eligible brands must have been in business for at least one year and have entrepreneurial roots in the metro. To establish the 64 participant businesses, public voting will take place Feb. 20 to 23. After that, the official battle begins March 6. For each official round — 32, 16, eight, four and two — polls open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 11:59 p.m. the final day.

Participating businesses will be divided into four different groups: second-stage, microenterprise, main street and innovation. KCSourceLink hopes that the categories will reflect the diversity of entrepreneurs that make up our city.

In 2016, over 70,000 Kansas Citians cast their votes in the battle. For information about applying, click here.

Here is the schedule:

  • Round 1: “64 to the Floor” March 6-9
  • Round 2: “Sturdy 32” March 13-16
  • Round 3: “Scrappy 16” March 20-21
  • Round 4: “Epic 8” March 23-24
  • Round 5: “Final 4” March 28-29
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

      2017 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Level Office, Kessler Building

        Level Office puts coworking space on tap in former law building (Photos)

        By Tommy Felts | February 2, 2018

        Windows from the community coworking space in Level Office’s seven-floor Kessler Building offer an up-close view of the Jackson County Courthouse, Sprint Center and downtown Kansas City. That proximity to the 16th Circuit Court, the court of appeals and the Jackson County Detention Center makes Chicago-based Level Office a magnet for men and women in…

        Former Netchemia CEO, KC venture capitalist launch new fund for Midwest software firms

        By Tommy Felts | February 1, 2018

        Keith Harrington isn’t looking for hockey-stick growth companies. With the new fund he’s co-leading — Novel Growth Partners — Harrington wants to invest in small, steadily-growing tech companies in the Midwest. But instead of a traditional venture capital model, Novel is employing a revenue-based finance model that should appeal to more entrepreneurs, Harrington said. “We believe that…

        Cristle Reed, Heartshaped Clothing, 1 Million Cups

        1 Million Cups celebrating black startups with all black founders, experts in February

        By Tommy Felts | February 1, 2018

        A lineup of all black presenters and experts at February’s 1 Million Cups events aims for exposure and awareness about Kansas City’s thriving community of black entrepreneurs, said Adrienne Haynes. “Many of these companies are not necessarily tech-based. They might not be at Plexpod or WeWork. Many of them have their own facilities — maybe…

        Listen: Behind the scenes interview with Hyperloop One exec on Missouri plan

        By Tommy Felts | February 1, 2018

        By now you’ve likely seen that Missouri is a top five favorite to land a Virgin Hyperloop One route. If built in Missouri, the tubular transportation system would move people from Kansas City to St. Louis in 30 minutes, creating a mega-region that combines the state’s biggest cities, said Dan Katz, director of global public…