Techweek KC returning with big LaunchKC, Techstars, BetaBlox demo days
February 28, 2018 | Startland News Staff
One of Kansas City’s biggest conference series for entrepreneurs is returning in October alongside some of KC’s most premier accelerator programs, said Amanda Signorelli, CEO of Techweek KC.
Demo days for Techstars KC and BetaBlox will join LaunchKC as signature events during the Oct. 8-12 conference, she said.
“Combined with the nationally recognized LaunchKC competition that awards $500,000 in non-dilutive grants after a live pitch competition, Techweek KC 2018 will attract and showcase more tech talent and emerging entrepreneurs this year than any other event in the country,” Signorelli said.
Chicago-based Techweek first came to the Kansas City market in 2015, she said, noting organizers are focused now on offering more and better technical content, education and training in the realm of innovation and technology.
An ongoing partnership with Kansas City’s Big Data Summit should help Techweek toward that goal.
“Bringing the biggest names in big data and data analytics to Kansas City within the scope and reach of Techweek is an awesome opportunity for our community,” said Don Peterson, founder of the Big Data Summit and the Kansas City Big Data Meetup.
In addition to big data, Techweek’s 2018 tracks focus on healthcare technology, venture capital, IoT/smart cities, virtual reality and augmented reality, digital media/marketing, public policy in tech, minority entrepreneurship/inclusion, and cryptocurrency/blockchain.
“Combined with the educational and networking opportunities, speaker panels, interactive workshops, a hiring fair, nationally recognized keynote speakers and an expanded expo with over 100 booths, we expect this year’s conference to be the best yet,” Signorelli said.
Featured Business

2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Some 18th & Vine leaders say losing downtown stadium could have ‘a tremendously negative impact’
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Businesses were split on their reaction to the vote on April 2 that rejected the extension of a 3/8th-cent sales tax…
Build a bigger bandwagon for women entrepreneurs, founders say; an isolated journey is too lonely
Representation of women in entrepreneurship is critically important, Vanessa Jupe told a crowd gathered this week at Union Station, emphasizing the power of exposure and leading by example to create a stronger, more diverse ecosystem. “If we don’t start businesses, then other women aren’t going to see that as a possibility,” said the founder and…
Designed with minimal parking, KC Current wants you to carpool to team’s next home match
A just-announced tech tool aims to help KC Current fans make sustainable and affordable transportation an easier choice on matchday as the hometown team continues a string of development wins at its new riverfront stadium. Current Carpool — a new feature from the free WAY TO GO trip planning and carpool matching app — connects…
Crossroads small biz owners to Royals: Come back with a better plan (and put it in writing)
It didn’t have to be this way, said Crossroads business owners, blaming Tuesday’s failed stadium sales tax initiative on what they viewed as a lack of transparency and legally binding agreements, too many last-minute deals and changes, and a disregard for community input. Most, however, hope the conversation isn’t entirely finished. Jackson County voters this…
