KC-area startup earns spot in first-ever AWS accelerator for emerging GovTech companies
September 21, 2023 | Startland News Staff
A Lee’s Summit-based startup focused on developing tech for the criminal justice industry has been selected for Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) inaugural GovTech Accelerator cohort.
eHawk — led by co-founders Bart Cooper and Ted Green, a former bail bondsman and trial attorney — is one of 13 companies tapped for the program. The Kansas City-built technology is driven by its RePath platform, which seeks to decrease recidivism, increase operational efficiency, improve participant outcomes, and reinforce adherence to conditions in both pre-trial and post-trial supervision, showcasing a commitment to accountable practices and economical solutions.
The tool allows users to electronically supervise the criminal justice population previously omitted from any electronic monitoring platform.
As part of the four-week AWS GovTech Accelerator cohort, which begins this month, eHawk is set to receive business development resources, as well as AWS tools and technical guidance, to enhance eHawk’s mission. The program culminates with a demo day Nov. 14 at the State of GovTech conference.
The selected startups are focused on a wide range of solutions for first responders, emergency services, corrections, and other public safety agencies, according to AWS.
By leveraging AWS to develop the next generation of GovTech technology, the startups aim to address justice and public safety challenges, such as increasing community engagement, deterring crime, and reducing recidivism, said Kim Majerus, vice president of global education and U.S. state and local government at AWS.
“The AWS GovTech Accelerator was created to support the development of technologies that can address these challenges,” said Majerus. “The 13 startups selected have demonstrated a technology solution that has real-world application, and we are excited to work with them.”
Click here to learn more about the other 12 companies in the cohort, which hail from coast to coast with eHawk the sole Midwestern startup included.

2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KCultivator: Plexpod founder Gerald Smith on Internet trolls, anti-gravity machines, man crush
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check out our features on innovation coach Diana Kander, Victor & Penny’s Erin McGrane, SEED Law’s Adrienne Haynes, Code Koalas’ Robert Manigold, Prep-KC CEO Susan Wally and community builder Donald Carter. Plexpod is more than a shared…
LaunchKC $100K winner Cambrian Tech taking simple idea to new reality
After winning LaunchKC’s grand prize — $100,000 — Cambrian Tech has its virtual eyes on another prize: total interior home transformation. “The goal is to open your phone, walk around and visualize any project you may consider doing,” co-founder Joel Teply said. “From walls, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, cabinetry, appliances, hardware and landscaping.” DIY tech presents…
Techstars Spotlight: Somatic Labs’ sees freedom from distraction in touch tech
Somatic Labs is designing a technology for a future without screens, founder Shantanu Bala said. Imagine this: You’re driving in an unfamiliar neighborhood and instead of needing to look at your phone for directions, your wearable device uses physical sensations to direct you to your destination, keeping your eyes on the road. Or maybe you’re…
Code for Kansas City hacking into fifth year; more civic hackers needed
After five years hacking, Code for Kansas City is expanding its reach with new projects and avenues for using the brigade’s coding and technology skills to identify and match problems in the community with potential solutions. A fifth annual hackathon event this weekend — the National Day of Civic Hacking or HackKC — illustrates the…


