nbkc bank launching FinTech accelerator with at least $50K for each startup
June 20, 2018 | Bobby Burch
Leveraging an area aptitude for innovation in finance, nbkc bank is launching an accelerator program for early-stage financial technology startups from across the globe.
The Kansas City-based community bank has partnered with the LaunchKC grants contest to offer the Fountain City Fintech Accelerator, which will soon welcome applications for its inaugural class. The 75-day program begins Oct. 1.
“LaunchKC is thrilled to partner with nbkc bank to start Fountain City Fintech, adding another great resource for entrepreneurs and expanding the city’s efforts to become the most entrepreneurial city in America,” said Drew Solomon, senior vice president, business and job development at the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City. “It’s a great expansion to the LaunchKC grant competition, and the team at nbkc has shown they’re willing to invest the time, effort and dollars in the community to make innovation happen. We are currently conducting grant making opportunities to increase the impact and reach of the accelerator.”
nbkc bank and LaunchKC will select five companies from the pool of applicants, each of which will receive a minimum $50,000 investment in exchange for 2 to 4 percent equity in the firm. In addition to the funding, nbkc will provide the firms mentorship, connections and space at its headquarters located at 8320 Ward Parkway, Kansas City.
Pettet
The program will be led by Kansas City startup champion Zach Anderson Pettet, who recently made the case that Kansas City is an underground tech hub.
“Kansas City’s been a Fintech hub for longer than most people realize,” said Pettet. “The likes of H&R Block, BATS, and ZOLOZ have paved the way for an upcoming wave of financial technology innovation. With community Partners like LaunchKC, VC Partners like Plug and Play Ventures, and a stable of top-flight mentors from around the world, Fountain City Fintech is excited to play a pivotal role in that wave. We’re perfectly positioned to accelerate entrepreneurs’ efforts to solve real-world financial problems through technology.”
To learn more, or to apply to the Fountain City Fintech Accelerator, visit www.fountaincityfintech.com
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Kansas City streetcar kickoff syncs with Smart City launch
It’s poised to be a momentous week for Kansas City infrastructure. In addition to the Friday launch of the much-anticipated Kansas City streetcar line, the City of Fountains has officially kicked off operations of its smart city framework. The $15.7 million public-private project aims to transform Kansas City’s downtown into a living lab of Wi-Fi…
Byrd: What we can learn from 5 corporate innovation blunders
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Most corporations don’t want innovation, they just say they do. Corporate leaders talk about radical and disruptive ideas, but is that truly all that innovation is? In it’s purest form, innovation creates more effective processes, products and ideas that will in turn increase…
106-years-young Hallmark is evolving with the collaborative economy
The collaborative economy is everywhere. You may have heard it by another name — like the sharing, on-demand, access, peer, freelance or gig economy. You’ve definitely heard of its national headliners Uber and Airbnb, but it also has a local presence with firms like PopBookings, Farmobile and MachineryLink. Since first showing up on radars eight…
How wearables could change America’s pastime and Amazon’s big oops
In this week’s roundup of watercooler talk from the region’s startup hubs, we have the dish on Major League Baseball wearables, Amazon’s flub with expanding the digital divide and Chicago’s STEM workforce issues. Check out more in this series here. Mobile Commerce Press: Major League Baseball gives the nod to wearable technology No, this doesn’t…