Demo day alert: 13 new Comeback KC Ventures fellows set for debut on GEW KC stage

November 9, 2021  |  Startland News Staff

Gavin Dell, Hollywood Animation Academy; Shelly Cooper, SureShow; Jill and Justin Bertelsen, Crib Coaching; and Craig Boyle, What Duh Fog

The first crop of Comeback KC Ventures fellows — entrepreneurs offering solutions from healthtech and edtech products to sports evaluations and an animation academy emerging in response to COVID-19 — is expected to highlight more than a dozen companies Thursday during a GEW KC innovation showcase.

“The demo day will allow early participants in the program a chance to show off what they have been working on and to provide the community the opportunity to celebrate some of the successes coming out of the Kansas City ecosystem,” organizers of the newly announced Comeback KC Ventures said.

Click here to register for the virtual demo day 4 p.m. Thursday during Global Entrepreneurship Week Kansas City.

Among the presenting entrepreneurs, which includes familiar faces from Digital Sandbox KC, Pipeline, Pure Pitch Rally and other local competitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Jeff Wheeldon, Virtual Museum

 

Comeback KC Ventures’ 18-month program is led by KC Digital Drive and the UMKC Innovation Center, and focused on supporting entrepreneurs with innovations, products or service lines that are solving needs exposed by the pandemic.

Click here to learn more about the program.

KC Digital Drive also is expected to offer an overview of Comeback KC Ventures during the event, including how others can participate as either startups, advisors or mentors.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2021 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Complex risks bring community kudos for creative entrepreneur honored by KC Chamber

    By Tommy Felts | June 17, 2025

    Keisha Jordan didn’t know what saying “yes” to a job in Kansas City would unlock when she first relocated in 2020, she said, reflecting on a full-circle moment Tuesday after winning a top arts honor from the KC Chamber during its celebration of small business and entrepreneurs. “I trusted God, trusted the universe, and it’s…

    KC’s top emerging business is brewing more than just beer at 18th and Vine, owners say

    By Tommy Felts | June 17, 2025

    Winning the Emerging Small Business Award is validation that Vine Street Brewing Co. — Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery — is tapped into what the community wants and needs, two of its owners said Tuesday. “It signifies we’re moving along with purpose and that we can really lean into our goals,” explained Annie McGinnis, co-owner and…

    Their engineering firm built a legacy in KC; why these KC Chamber winners are rebranding

    By Tommy Felts | June 17, 2025

    A streamlined brand identity for one of the Midwest’s most influential engineering firms positions “T&B” as one of the secret weapons behind the evolution of Kansas City, the company announced, just moments after earning a top small business award from the KC Chamber. Taliaferro & Browne — the first minority-owned engineering firm to receive a…

    Founder’s resolve earns KC mental health practice ‘Small Business of the Year’ title

    By Tommy Felts | June 17, 2025

    Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Kansas City’s newest Small Business of the Year is on a years-long journey to create safe, inclusive spaces for its clients and team, the resilient entrepreneur behind…