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Mr. K Award finalists: RFP360, KC Bier Co., Charlie Hustle among Chamber’s Top 10 Small Businesses

April 8, 2019  |  Startland News Staff

Mr. K Award finalists

From one of Kansas City’s most popular breweries to a startup that streamlines the RFP process to an apparel company known for its big heart, 10 small businesses received surprise visits Friday — each now a finalist for the prestigious Mr. K Award.

“The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce showered us with confetti today when they hand delivered our Top 10 Small Business award! #FeelingFortunate #CelebrateSmallBiz #Innovation #Growth #BuildingABetterKC,” posted RFP360, a Kansas City-based firm innovating the RFP process.

RFP360 was named one of Startland’s Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2018. Click here to check out its progress over the course of the previous year, and here to read about the hiring of the company’s first CEO.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to compete for the Mr. K award. Our entire team is fully invested in the success of the greater Kansas City community and embrace the business philosophies of the legendary philanthropist and entrepreneur Ewing Marion Kauffman,” said David Lintz, RFP360 CEO.

Charlie Hustle, Top 10 Small Business honoree, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Fellow Top Small Businesses KC Bier Co. and T-shirt trendsetter Charlie Hustle also have startup roots. Click here to read about the brewery’s strategy for expansion, and here to learn more about the hometown apparel company’s full-court business offensive.

The Chamber’s Top 10 Small Business honorees were selected from a pool of 80 nominees. One will be chosen for the Mr. K Award — named for legendary Kansas City entrepreneur Ewing Marion Kauffman — which is presented to a company that not only shows growth and sustainability, but also has a record of giving back to the community.  

A winner is expected to be announced at the Chamber’s May 23 Small Business Luncheon.

Lead Bank was awarded the distinction in 2018.

The full Top 10 Small Businesses list includes:

  • Agforce Transport — third-party logistics and supply chain provider.
  • Charlie Hustle — vintage T-shirt company.
  • IBC, Inc. — commercial construction firm.
  • KC Bier Co. — Kansas City-based, German-style craft brewery.
  • Lever1 — integrated professional employer organization services.
  • Odimo — collaborative architectural and planning firm.
  • RFP360 — full-circle RFP management solution.
  • Ripple Glass — state-of-the-art glass recycling.
  • TREKK Design Group — woman-owned civil engineering firm.
  • VeriShip — parcel shipping intelligence company.

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