Techstars Kansas City accepting startups for second accelerator class
January 26, 2018 | Startland News Staff
One of the Midwest’s most competitive accelerator programs is looking for technology enabled startups with global potential.
Techstars Kansas City is now accepting applications for its three-month, mentor-led 2018 class. The program is set to begin July 16, culminating with an Oct. 11 demo day event in which participating startups will pitch to the community and investors. Applications close April 8.
“The goal of Techstars is identifying first-in-class tech companies,” said Lesa Mitchell, Techstars KC managing director, in July 2017, when the inaugural class was announced. “We always have a goal of identifying companies that have a serious long tail and have a huge opportunity with lots of different products down the roadway.”
In exchange for 6 percent equity, Techstars KC startups receive $120,000, participation in the accelerator program and access to Techstars’ global network of alumni and mentors.
“In the heartland of the U.S., Techstars Kansas City is building new global companies. Home to one of the largest Design + Build, Agriculture and Animal Health hubs in the world, Kansas City is fast becoming a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship,” Techstars says in its application.
The inaugural Techstars KC class was a diverse hodgepodge of industries, including ed tech, artificial intelligence, law, virtual reality, food and more. Mitchell also pulled the firms from a variety of U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Austin, Phoenix, Wichita, Kansas City and more.
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Techstars is a global accelerator firm with 32 programs across the globe, in such cities as Los Angeles, New York City, London and Paris. (Applications to many of those programs also now are open.) Kansas City is the second smallest city in which the accelerator firm operates after Boulder.
Check out scenes from Techstars Kansas City’s 2017 demo day here.
Featured Business
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
AT&T deal brings head-to-head ‘Pet Battles’ to Boddle in a first for the KC-made edtech app
A new collaboration between Boddle Learning and AT&T hopes to keep students plugged into learning long after they’ve unplugged from the classroom. “With summer break quickly approaching, it’s important to help kids maintain knowledge outside of the classroom,” AT&T said in a release announcing its teamed up with Tulsa-based, Kansas City-born Boddle to introduce new…
Budget bump to $31M would help MTC attack its 16-point plan for Missouri entrepreneurs; funding fate rests with governor
A key funder of initiatives like Digital Sandbox KC and LaunchKC could see its own fortunes rise if Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs a budget that includes $31 million to boost technology, entrepreneurship and innovation efforts in the state. The Missouri legislature last week passed a budget that would dramatically up the Missouri Technology Corporation’s…
Ennovation Center taps hometown entrepreneur to lead Independence-based resource hub
Support is in place for entrepreneurs looking for customized services, the Ennovation Center said Friday, announcing a new executive director already at work at the Independence-based community resource. “I love helping entrepreneurs grow their business,” said Danielle DuPree, who began her role leading the Ennovation Center in April. “My passion lies in working with small…
Meet the finalists: KC tech startups competing to boost health, vibrancy of diverse communities
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…