Tech First: Bank’s new pitch event aims to connect investors, startup founders
August 24, 2018 | Austin Barnes
Roots of growth and prosperity are being planted in Kansas City, furthering the advancement of the metro’s tech sector, said Rob Barker.
Rob Barker, President – Kansas City Region of First Business Bank
“One of the biggest challenges for these tech companies is finding those investors to speak to,” said Barker, president – Kansas City Region of First Business Bank.
First Business, locally based in Leawood, is set to introduce its Tech First pitch day Sept. 14 — an event that will give 12 budding tech startups 15 minutes to pitch their investment opportunity to potential KC area investors and those who hail from outside the state.
A list of potential investors and the inaugural group of 12 presenting companies is expected to be released by First Business in the coming weeks.
“Our whole goal for the event is to try and make that connection between those two groups,” Barker said, as he further described the company as a conduit of community.
A chance for blossoming startups to gain valuable resources and potential access to capital, Tech First could be likened to an accelerator program, Barker said — although in an untraditional sense. Despite its design, the day-long event shouldn’t be thought of as a competition either, he clarified.
With bridge-building deemed the driver behind the inception of Tech First, First Business hopes to make its pitch process an annual event in Kansas City, Barker said.
Featured Business
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
This AI scans for auto damage in 30 seconds; Here’s how it’s gaining instant trust, KC tech industry veteran says
A growing number of automotive-sales and related businesses are turning to Click-Ins, an AI-assisted startup on a rapidly upward trajectory, to solve a long-standing problem: how to inspect vehicles quickly, accurately and consistently without relying solely on human judgment. But the value isn’t in replacing humans in the workforce, said Josh Parsons, a 20-year auto…
Power moves: Electric vehicle infrastructure stalled in Kansas where liquid fuels still dominate
Editor’s note: This article was written for a class at the University of Kansas’ William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and distributed through the Kansas Press Association. The number of people buying electric vehicles in Kansas is steadily growing, and as the number increases, the need for accommodation will be balanced with…
Five years after being built, dream spot on streetcar line finally brewing opening date, tavern owner says
A never-opened space along the KC Streetcar line in the Crossroads — once planned as high-profile culinary destination — is expected to be remodeled by the owner of a popular brewery and restaurant chain with its long-awaited opening as soon as late summer. Matt Moore, the entrepreneur behind Martin City Brewing Company and Martin City Tavern,…
Meet the Kansas City entrepreneurs picked for DoorDash’s first Midwest accelerator
DoorDash delivers $50K bag to 10 KC small biz leaders hungry to learn DoorDash is dropping support on Kansas City’s doorstep through a new cohort of 10 small businesses selected for the company’s local restaurant accelerator, marking the first time the nationwide initiative has landed in the Midwest — with KC chosen as its launchpad.…