Cerner ‘call for innovation’ hopes to bring brand to life alongside KC startups

One of Kansas City’s largest employers is looking for help from the smaller firms in its backyard.

Health IT giant Cerner Corp. is looking to collaborate with startups and entrepreneurs to feature their innovative custom furniture, properties or experiential design elements for a coming conference. If selected, each startup’s work would be featured in front of the 40,000 healthcare professionals expected to attend the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference in Las Vegas.

“Traditionally, Cerner has utilized owned, purchased or rented furniture through trade show partners, but would like to explore collaboration with startups, incubators, companies or individuals to bring the Cerner brand to life in a new and tangible way,” the company’s challenge reads. “If you or your company are talented in woodworking, glass, furniture making, murals, etc. and are interested in gaining more exposure, then this opportunity is for you.”

With a 14,400 square-foot booth, Cerner is offering startups plenty of room to create. While applicants can share any idea, Cerner is looking for such ideas as networking, lounge or soft-seating furniture; conference tables and chairs; custom lighting; shelving; and sculptures. Here’s a Pinterest page the company offers for inspiration.

The company’s “call for innovation” will favor products made in Kansas City, the company said.

For more information, go here. Applications are due by Oct. 13, 2017. Final selections for vendors to collaborate with Cerner will be made in November.