NMotion invests $100K in AI storytelling startup’s next chapter; KC founder flexes momentum
February 21, 2024 | Tommy Felts
A $100,000 investment by a leading regional accelerator is expected to expand the capabilities and reach of a Kansas City AI storytelling startup — establishing Overland Park-based Storytailor as a well-known brand for children worldwide, founder JQ Sirls said.
JQ Sirls, Storytailor; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
The NMotion Accelerator on Wednesday announced six new companies selected for its cohort, which is powered by gener8tor. Storytailor is the lone Kansas startup selected for the Lincoln, Nebraska-based program.
“Our excitement for being part of the new NMotion cohort is through the roof,” said Sirls, whose company also was named one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024. “It’s a validation of our hard work thus far and a clear sign that the industry sees the value in what we’re building.”
Storytailor is an AI-powered “Imagination as a Service” (IAAS) platform, born from Sirls’ decades-long commitment to diversifying the world of children’s stories.
Click here to learn more about how Storytailor works.
In addition to individual $100,000 investments, participating startups join NMotion’s intensive 12-week, cohort-based accelerator program, which includes 1:1 coaching, mentorship-driven programming, and more than 100 connections to the gener8tor network of mentors and investors.
NMotion received more than 200 applications from across the country for the cohort. The six selected companies were chosen based on their growth potential and investor readiness.
Sirls expects a significant impact from the accelerator and the funding boost.
“In addition to marketing and expanding internal support, we are investing in technology to enhance our platform and improve our AI’s abilities in more captivating and mind-blowing ways (exciting things coming later this year),” he said of plans for the incoming funds. “This will enable us to better support our expanding local and international user base while continuing to innovate in creating captivating and educational content.”
JQ Sirls, Storytailor, joins in a founder panel conversation during Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024 seminar and reception; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Building on a narrative of big wins
Storytailor’s NMotion is the latest in a string of successes, Sirls said.
JQ Sirls, Storytailor, addresses the crowd for Startland News’ SLN Live session in December 2023; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
“We have recently completed our journey through the Anjal Z Techstars Founder Catalyst program, which is powered by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority,” he detailed. “This initiative has enabled us to gain knowledge about and address early childhood development challenges in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. It has further strengthened and validated our diversity-first approach on an international scale.”
Next week, Sirls plans to deliver a TEDx talk in Columbia, Missouri, where he expects to delve into the century-long limitations set by traditional children’s literature and the “urgent need for stories that celebrate the myriad nuances that make each child unique — beyond gender, race, culture, or ability,” he said.
The startup also recently welcomed Herston Fails as its chief product officer.
“He and I have been close friends and collaborators for over a decade, operating like geeky scientists on emerging tech and software,” Sirls explained. “His being a part of the company solidifies a significant leap towards innovation and data-driven progression, ensuring that Storytailor continues to lead in creating meaningful and diverse narratives.”
This year also marks Sirls transition from a 2023 Pipeline Entrepreneurs Pathfinder to 2024 Pipeline Fellow — a milestone of momentum noted by organizers of the elite entrepreneur network when it announced its latest classes earlier this month.
“Going through both NMotion and Pipeline at the same time will be heavy, but rewarding in ensuring that I’m not only leading and scaling the company smart and with integrity,” Sirls said. “I also remind myself that I’m human and that balance and needed rest are bigger ‘flexes’ than overworking myself into burnout.”
Kicking off the NMotion Accelerator Spring 2024 cohort today at @millworkcommons. Six solid startups getting to know each other and learn more about the coming 12 weeks. More details to follow! pic.twitter.com/McSngBCHyo
— NMotion (@nmotionstartups) February 21, 2024
Driving innovation in Middle America
After spending the past few months assembling the new cohort, Nate Clark — recently promoted NMotion managing director — is excited to get to work with companies like Storytailor, he said
“This program not only supports these six companies, it also empowers these founders to engage with the entrepreneurial community of Omaha and Lincoln,” Clark said. “I can’t wait to see the personal and company growth they’ll achieve during their time working alongside each other here in Nebraska.”
In addition to Storytailor, selected startups include:
- DivorceTech (Omaha, Nebraska) —streamlining the new client intake and data collection process to greatly reduce the time needed to produce common, and state-specific divorce case documents
- Talknician (Minneapolis, Minnesota) — changing the way that knowledge transfer happens within the blue collar workforce
- Tour Golf League (Omaha, Nebraska) — premium night golf course lighting equipment and night golf supplies
- TrunkDrop (Minneapolis, Minnesota) — a free-market on-demand delivery platform that brokers transactions between users and drivers
- Wunup (Fargo, North Dakota) — motivating Gen Z to workout through social accountability, real time data tracking, and financial incentives as a reward
At the end of the program, the startup founders will pitch their companies to investors, community partners, and the public at the NMotion Showcase event May 21 in Omaha at Millwork Commons. This will come on the heel of conducting virtual pitches to 50 investors from across the region and country.
“Thanks to the belief of our Nebraska investors and stakeholders, NMotion is in its second decade of making a unique impact in the broader region,” said Scott Henderson, managing principal of NMotion and general partner of gener8tor Great Plains Fund I. “We are now the only investment accelerator operating in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Minnesota that serves early stage companies regardless of industry. We’re playing our part to drive more innovation and economic growth in middle America.”
Sirls predicted the NMotion accelerator will be a game-changer for Storytailor.
“It allows us to leverage NMotion’s expertise and network as we begin partnerships with schools, game studios, edtech platforms, children’s hospitals, and small businesses,” he said. “We are excited about the collaborations, mentorship, community, and validation that this accelerator offers.”
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