LaunchKC, Brush Creek unveil InsureTech accelerator led by longtime startup advocate

The latest LaunchKC-powered industry accelerator aims to bring a new wave of technology Kansas City’s insurance community, said Nathan Kurtz.

“There’s a rich heritage of insurance in Kansas City,” said Kurtz, COO of Brush Creek Partners, announcing the bcp tech InsurTech Accelerator, which teams Brush Creek with TechAssure and LaunchKC. “Brush Creek’s purpose is to challenge how the insurance industry works and exceed expectations.”

Bcp tech is the technology arm of Brush Creek Partners, helping digital health, fintech, insurtech and high-growth companies manage technology and cyber risk. 

The ultimate goal of the accelerator is to identify innovators in the space, and through the program help five agency-focused technology companies get access to clients, mentors and investors who can help them quickly grow and scale their companies, Kurtz said.

Applications for the bcp tech InsurTech Accelerator are expected to open in January, running through March 1. The program is looking for companies that have a product that is live and ready for real-time feedback from commercial property and casualty insurance agencies. 

The accelerator is set to run May to July, culminating in a demo day event for the five members of the cohort. Financial incentives related to the cohort members were not immediately disclosed.

Steve Gardner, bcp tech InsurTech Accelerator

Nathan Kurtz, Brush Creek Partners

“We want to bring them to Kansas City, have a community-focused accelerator, use the mentors and the talent here locally, as well as partners across the country, to help accelerate these companies,” said Kurtz.

Kurtz, a longtime advocate of entrepreneurs who previously served as senior program officer at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, is joined in the InsurTech endeavor by Steve Gardner, managing director, and Alex Springer, program manager.

Gardner is a serial entrepreneur who has worked as an agent to speakers, professional athletes, and celebrities across the globe. He specializes in helping companies increase sales and overall brand impact, Kurtz said.

Springer joins the team to support the day-to-day operations of the accelerator. A retired professional athlete, he brings his experience to help founders and their teams get access to the resources they need to help them grow effectively throughout the accelerator period, Kurtz added. 

Hyleme George, Black & Veatch IgniteX accelerator; Jim Malle, Economic Development Council of Kansas City, Missouri; and Tommy Wilson, Downtown Council of Kansas City

The accelerator is the latest in a string of programs that have grown out of LaunchKC’s industry-focused approach to boosting startups. LaunchKC is a five-year-old partnership between the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Downtown Council with support from the Missouri Technology Corporation, the City of KCMO, and corporate partners like Brush Creek.

“All this came to light with nbkc bank when its Fountain City Fintech accelerator really took off,” said Jim Malle, coordinator of entrepreneurship and industry for EDCKC. “We were their first pilot program, which was followed by Black & Veatch’s cleantech accelerator, which concluded this fall, and also Nueterra Capital’s healthcare accelerator. Now we’re excited to launch our fourth industry-focused business accelerator with Brush Creek Partners.”

Click here to learn more about members of the recent Launch Health cohort.