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
LaunchKC winner bringing cryptocurrency into the investment game with Liquifi
A blockchain-enabled solution from Venture360, called Liquifi, aims to unfreeze startups paralyzed by a lack of access to capital, Rachael Qualls said with excitement. “The main reason more people don’t invest in private companies is there is no way to get money out,” said Qualls, CEO of Venture360. “On average money is tied up for…
Sickweather forecasts flu trouble ahead, urges handwashing and vaccinations
Sickweather’s illness forecasting technology points to a seasonal uptick in influenza rates for Kansas City, said Laurel Edelman, noting a particularly rough patch expected at the end of year. “We actually see more of a dome here in Kansas City,” said Edelman, the chief revenue officer for Sickweather, referring to a chart that plots expected…
Techstars hacks into expert minds for visions of a future dominated by robotics
A Fourth Industrial Revolution is unfolding as consumers and the tech industry alike watch with bated breath, Karen Kerr told a crowd of Techstars Kansas City attendees. “Two things are happening,” Kerr, senior managing director with GE Ventures explained during a panel Thursday that explored the future of the robotics and manufacturing industries. “We’re able…
LaunchKC earns honors of its own, must still keep hustling, KC eco devo leader says
Receiving the Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award proves the real market value for programs like LaunchKC, said Drew Solomon. The win has been energizing, said Solomon, senior vice president of business and job development at the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, which partners with the Downtown Council of Kansas City to make the program…