Competition opening its call for startups to pitch at UMKC (founders who’ve finished growing need not apply)
January 28, 2025 | Tommy Felts
UMKC’s support for entrepreneurship doesn’t stop at the edge of campus, said Adam Larson, detailing plans for another startup competition between established Kansas City companies during this spring’s Regnier Venture Creation Challenge.
Adam Larson, Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, UMKC
Non-student-led companies with headquarters in Kansas City are eligible to compete in the James and Rae Block Kansas City Startup Awards. Applications open Monday, Feb. 3.
Click here to view full eligibility requirements and additional details about the April 25 event, which coincides with a showcase and competition for student ventures.
“By showcasing community startups alongside student ventures, we provide a tangible example of the entrepreneurial journey and the potential for growth in early-stage companies,” said Larson, program manager for Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which organizes the annual RVCC competitions. “This serves as an aspirational model for student entrepreneurs, whether they’re continuing with their RVCC venture after graduation or launching something entirely new.”
Serial entrepreneur Dr. Shelley Cooper’s startup, Remodel Relief, took home the $15,000 top prize in 2024; followed by recognition’s for Dr. Brandy Archie, AskSAMIE, and Bob Waddell, MDMatchUp.
Click here for a full list of winners through 2018.
Dr. Brandy Archie, AskSAMIE, Dr. Shelley Cooper, Remodel Relief, and Ashley McClellan, MedCurate, at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Regnier Venture Creation Challenge; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
The Regnier Venture Creation Challenge and Summit celebrates entrepreneurship across Kansas City and the broader region, Larson said, noting the Regnier Institute is dedicated to supporting and recognizing the hard work of entrepreneurs at all stages — from concept to scale.
“As a regional hub for entrepreneurship education, we’re uniquely positioned to spotlight local startups and their successes,” he added.
“Our community startups and our student startups are often at similar places in their journey. Our students have a large amount of support and resources from the university but often lack the industry experience,” Larson continued. “Our community entrepreneurs often have more industry experience but lack all the resources a UMKC student has access to.”
UMKC offers a number of resources for entrepreneurs in the community in addition to RVCC, including the E-Scholars program and a weekly entrepreneurship meetup, Innovators Hub.
“All entrepreneurs are doing their best to make progress without all the resources, money, and experience of a major corporation and they all have to be scrappy and innovative to make progress,” Larson said. “Entrepreneurs aren’t a special breed of superheroes; they are regular people that are going on an extraordinary journey. It’s important for young, aspiring entrepreneurs to see that.
In addition to the competition aspect of this spring’s RVCC on April 25, a summit component is planned, featuring an entrepreneurship and innovation career fair, prototyping and startup workshops, keynote sessions, and free food with registration.
Click here for more information on RVCC and the summit.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Paws up! Scollar aims to fetch 200 jobs for KC, trades Silicon Valley for Animal Health Corridor
Building a business in Silicon Valley might seem sexy — but it isn’t always the right choice, Lisa Tamayo said. “I don’t know what you guys hear about the Coast, but hardware is quite challenging for any company in the Bay area because a lot of these Silicon Valley folks in San Francisco only like…
Shari Young doesn’t want Blacque Onyx to be the next online sensation; she wants shoppers on Troost
While others in the marketplace might be chasing viral success online, Shari Young has approached building her new Blacque Onyx Apparel store on Troost with a more long-term strategy, she said. “I know that in the age of social media things blow up really fast and then they’re gone — I didn’t want to be…
‘This is the end of The Sundry’ — Sustainable food problem remains after startup’s closing, founder says
The Sundry market-and-restaurant concept at Plexpod Westport Commons simply wasn’t solving the problems of scope and scale within sustainable and local agriculture as intended, said Ryan Wing. Ultimately, that meant the venture itself couldn’t continue as originally envisioned, added Wing, founder of the sustainable food startup, which abruptly closed to the public last week. “Expectations…
First couple of KC Dapper Rap launching first-of-its-kind coworking space for city’s urban core
A new self-style space in Midtown is expected to offer hair, beauty and wellness entrepreneurs an opportunity to cowork under one roof without the burden of securing financing or paying for utilities, said Lauren Euston. “If you are a busy stylist or busy wellness professional and you are working hard to reach the next level…