InvestMidwest releases startup lineup for April conference; KC companies set to pitch
March 14, 2024 | Startland News Staff
Eight Kansas City startups are among 40 companies selected to pitch in April at InvestMidwest — reflecting not only a diversity of founder representation, but a wide range of agriculture, health, and digital technology innovations from across the Midwest, said Claire Kinlaw.
Claire S. Kinlaw, InvestMidwest
“The caliber of talent and innovation among the chosen companies is truly remarkable, and we’re excited to provide them with a platform to connect with investors and propel their growth,” said Kinlaw, executive director at InvestMidwest, noting more than 120 applications were received during the highly competitive selection process.
The best-fit companies are those seeking Series A funding, operating in health, agriculture, or information/data technology sectors, and are located in or primarily conduct business in the Midwest.
InvestMidwest is a premier venture capital conference in the Midwest, connecting innovative startups with investors seeking high-growth opportunities. It returns to Kansas City April 17-18 for the first time since 2019, thanks to a pandemic pause and venue rotation that sees the annual conference alternate between St. Louis and Kansas City.
Click here to view the schedule for the conference and to register.
Day 1 for the spring event is planned for the Kansas City Club with a reception that evening at the downtown Kansas City Public Library. Day 2 is set for the conference center at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Kansas City companies set to pitch at the event include two of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024 — Poshed On The Go and Storytailor — as well as past LaunchKC and Pure Pitch Rally competitors and Pipeline fellows and Pathfinders:
- AskSAMIE, Kansas City, Missouri (Digital Health)
- Amplifi Vascular, Overland Park, Kansas (Digital Health)
- DataAppraisal, Overland Park, Kansas (Digital Health)
- EzBizPortal, Overland Park, Kansas (Digital Health)
- Poshed On The Go, Overland Park, Kansas (DigitalTech)
- Redpoint Summit, Kansas City, Missouri (Digital Health)
- Spinal Simplicity, Overland Park, Kansas (MedTech)
- Storytailor, Overland Park, Kansas (DigitalTech)
InvestMidwest pitchers also include companies from other other Missouri tech hubs:
- AdSwapper, Columbia, Missouri (DigitalTech)
- Amptify, Saint Louis, Missouri (MedTech)
- Buck Surgical, Saint Louis, Missouri (MedTech)
- Cykyl Springs, Saint Louis, Missouri (MedTech)
- Healium, Columbia, Missouri (Digital Health)
- Impetus Ag, Saint Louis, Missouri (AgTech)
- iSite Media, Saint Louis, Missouri (DigitalTech)
- SAYeTECH, Saint Louis, Missouri (AgTech)
Of the 40 companies selected to pitch at the conference, diversity in founder representation stands out prominently, InvestMidwest organizers said, noting 12 of the selected companies are founded by women, underscoring the growing presence of female entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem.
Additionally, nine companies are represented by BIPOC presenters, reflecting InvestMidwest’s commitment to fostering inclusion and equity within the industry, the organization said.
Geographical diversity is another hallmark of this year’s lineup, with companies hailing from across the Midwest and beyond. The conference features startups from states as far-reaching as Pennsylvania and Washington. Other represented states include Oklahoma, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, and California, showcasing the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit thriving throughout the region, organizers said.
Click here for a full list of 2024 InvestMidwest companies.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
AltCap banks $55M in tax credits to bolster KC’s underserved entrepreneurs
A huge award will enable AltCap to make a broader entrepreneurial impact in low- to moderate-income communities throughout Kansas City. AltCap — a Kansas City-based community development financial institution that focuses on underserved populations — has received a $55 million new markets tax credit award from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The award enables…
$17M Operation Breakthrough expansion to bridge Troost, boost STEM and maker skills
An Operation Breakthrough expansion from the east side of Troost Avenue to the west is about more than jumping across the street, said Mary Esselman. The move will literally bridge a racial and economic dividing line that has persisted for decades. “Bridging Troost is not only a legacy to our founders, but is huge symbolically,…
ClusterTruck sizzles on KC food delivery scene with ‘ghost kitchen’ concept
The innovation cooking within ClusterTruck’s technology makes the rapidly expanding Indianapolis company a fresh take on the restaurant-quality food delivery scene, Christian Moscoso said. “We are a software company with our own ghost kitchens, if you will,” said Moscoso, general manager for ClusterTruck’s new River Market kitchen, which opened in mid-December without a public entrance…
Innovation Exchange returns in 2018 with new partners, topics
One of my favorite parts of journalism is the “Hm!” moment. They are the occasions when reading, watching or listening to a story whose details yield an inborn reaction of fascination or intrigue. They can’t be stopped. When your curiosity piqued, “Hmm!” is an impulse. “The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket produced 5 million pounds of…