Funding

Liquifi by Venture360

LaunchKC winner bringing cryptocurrency into the investment game with Liquifi

By Tommy Felts / October 15, 2018

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…

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Kirby Montgomery, TheraWe Connect, Pure Pitch Rally

Pure Pitch Rally passes $1 million in prizes; FastDemocracy and TheraWe lead winners

By Tommy Felts / October 11, 2018

A quick-paced pitch competition Wednesday saw big wins for political tracking startup FastDemocracy and child therapy resource TheraWe Connect, with more than $1 million in prizes awarded between 10 young companies. “Our sponsors felt a funding head-rush like a speeding train — throwing money everywhere,” said Michael Williamson, an IP attorney for Polsinelli, one of…

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TechWeek

Hunting access to capital? Do your homework first, Techweek panel says

By Tommy Felts / October 11, 2018

Imagining overnight startup success is as unrealistic as wanting to become a winning athlete or megastar musician overnight — it all takes time and practice, said Juan Campos. “If you actually have the ambition to create a multimillion dollar company, then the people that are the most successful at that didn’t just wake up one…

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Julia Luetje, Storm Sleeper, pre-teen innovator

Pure Pitch surprise twist: Techweek competition adds pre-teen innovator to KC startup lineup

By Tommy Felts / October 8, 2018

In a surprise announcement Monday, organizers of the Pure Pitch Rally announced the third annual pitch competition would feature the Kansas City pre-teen innovator behind the Storm Sleeper. Update: Click here to find out who won big at the Pure Pitch Rally. Julia Luetje — a Barstow School student from Leawood, who at 10 years…

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Kim Naramore and Jillian Carlile, TravelHive

Digital Sandbox KC mixes in Carroll’s Irish Bitters, TravelHive, iSocial and Grant Company

By Tommy Felts / September 27, 2018

After more than five years, Digital Sandbox KC’s proof-of-concept program continues to see a high volume of quality applicants with a wide range of concepts, said Jeff Shackelford. Four startups receiving project funding from Digital Sandbox KC were announced Thursday. Two of those awards are in partnership with Innovation Stockyard in St. Joseph, said Shackelford,…

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