KCMO to celebrate innovation partners at demo day

Since the publish date on Aug. 22, the location of the Innovation Partnership Program demo day has been changed. It will now be held at WeWork at Corrigan Station at 5:00 p.m. [divide]

Five Kansas City startups are expected to be toasted next month with a demo day at a popular brewery.

The Sept. 11 celebration serves as the culmination of Kansas City’s three-month Innovation Partnership Program.

Launched in 2015, the partnership program connects area startups with city departments to not only identify new efficiencies, but also offer the participating startup firms a chance to earn business with the city.

The demo day event, now in its second year, is planned for 4:30 p.m. at the Boulevard Brewing Co. Beer Hall before the 7 p.m. official Techweek KC kickoff party, presented by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City. Techweek is an annual technology conference organized across multiple Kansas City locations from Sept. 11 to 15.

Demo day itself will be a good time, said Bob Bennett, chief innovation officer for Kansas City, Missouri, but encouraged people to stick around for the festivities that follow.

“For those of you trying to get to the kickoff party a little early, you’re in luck,” Bennett said. “You’re going to get a chance to meet the five entrepreneurs who have been interacting with our city government for the last 12 weeks and hear their pitches.”

City Manager Troy Schulte will begin the event by discussing the success of such previous innovation partners as Big Bang, Integrated Roadways and SpiderOak, Bennett said. Mayor Sly James is also expected to be on hand, he said.

To register for the free event and for more information, click here.

Here’s more on the innovation partners presenting at the demo day:

Company: KC Crew, founder Luke Wade
Partner city department: Parks & Rec
KC Crew was developed to connect adults through sports and events. Its software tool, League Ally, was designed to automate sports leagues and connect individuals through sports.

Company: mySidewalk, CEO Stephen Hardy
Partner city department: Office of Performance Management
mySidewalk is a city intelligence tool that tracks, analyzes and communicates progress on department and citywide goals. For the 2017 Innovation Partnership Program Cohort, mySidewalk focuses on helping the City of Kansas City streamline its process for reporting on key performance indicators, and amplify its analytic capabilities, particularly from a geospatial perspective, the company said.

Company: 17°73° Innovation Co, founder Conner Hazelrigg
Partner city department: Office of the City Manager
17°73° Innovation Co developed the Sunshine Box, which is designed specifically to narrow the gap between “mobile-first” technology users and access to reliable electricity. The system supports charging 10 devices, is portable and waterproof.

Company: MPiR, CEO Scott Smith
Partner city department: Parks & Rec and City Planning
MPiR is an urban farming business that provides fresh and organic produce to feed communities using repurposed shipping containers equipped with the latest technology.

Company: Onward Financial, co-founders Ben White and Ronnie Washington
Partner city department: Kansas City Credit Union
Onward Financial is a nonprofit financial wellness platform that helps working people build a financial safety net. As part of the IPP, Onward aims to work with Kansas City Credit Union to deliver innovative resources to help their members reach financial goals.