The clock is ticking: LaunchKC grants’ deadline is Friday

Startups in Kansas City and beyond have about 48 hours to apply for LaunchKC grants.

The contest — which will allocate $500,000 via nine grants to startups from around the nation — will accept applications until 11:59 p.m., July 7.

LaunchKC will dish out eight $50,000 grants and one $100,000 grand prize. The final round of competition will unfold live at Techweek Kansas City on Friday, Sept. 15 during a pitch contest.

In 2016, LaunchKC drew more than 400 tech startup applicants for the second year in a row.

In addition to a grant, winning entrepreneurs receive other benefits, including free office space for one year; industry-specific mentors; and professional services, in areas such as legal, financial, and marketing. The grant competition is led by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and the Downtown Council of Kansas City.

Winners of the 2016 LaunchKC grants were: Big Bang, BLITAB, ConsultUS, FEWDM, Forest Devices, Labor Chart, Mobility Designed, Mycroft AI, Perfect Cube and Super Dispatch.

Winners of the 2015 LaunchKC grants were: Blooom, Integrated Roadways, KC Drone Company, Nodal Security, Health ID, PopBookings, Pycno, SquareOffs, Vertisense and VideoFizz.

Learn more about the competition here.