Deadlines approach for BetaBlox, EY awards; LaunchKC opening soon

Kansas City abounds with growth opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs — sometimes the trick is just finding them.

To that end, here are a variety of opportunities for founders and supporters of Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem whose deadlines are approaching. Thanks to our friends at KCSourceLink for aggregating these opportunities!

BetaBlox
Deadline: March 1

Kansas City-based accelerator BetaBlox was founded in 2012 and provides mentorship, access to investors, downtown office space, classes and bootcamps to startups — in exchange for 5 percent equity in their business. Although the deadline is less than a day away, the BetaBlox website assures that this is an application that will only take 5 minutes.

Each cohort accepts roughly 10 teams into the 6-month program. The accelerator will accept all kinds of businesses — from scalable startups to small businesses.

“We like to think of ourselves as your co-founder who doesn’t expect a salary,” BetaBlox described itself on its website. “We will only charge you once your company reaches a liquidation event (IPO, acquisition, dividends, etc.) – and even then, it’s just a pinch.”

Kansas City Connector Project
Deadline: March 31

Know any unsung heroes? The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation believes that in Kansas City, there are many out there.

In hopes to better connect folks cultivating entrepreneurial and education communities, the foundation’s Kansas City Connector Project is now accepting nominations of leaders instilling change in the metro.

Community members in Jackson, Clay, Cass, Platte, Wyandotte and Johnson counties are eligible for nomination. The foundation has hired an independent, internationally recognized researcher to analyze the applications through an unbiased lens. Additional announcements, as well as next steps, will be communicated in June.

EY’s entrepreneur of the year
Deadline: March 10

EY is now accepting nominations for its annual Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards, which is widely considered as one of the most prestigious programs in the U.S. Now in its 31st year, the initiative aims to identify and support innovative business leaders.

Eligible entrepreneurs are founders, leaders of multi-generation family business and CEOs of businesses that are at least two years old. Winners will be selected by a panel of independent judges, including previous winners of the award and leading CEOs.

Click here to apply for the Central Midwest program.

LaunchKC
Opens: March 1

The LaunchKC grants competition has raised the stakes for 2017.

Eight winners will receive a $50,000 grant, and one winner will receive a grant prize of $100,000. In addition to funds, the winning entrepreneurs receive free office space for one year, mentorship and access to professional services. The competition is led by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and the Downtown Council of Kansas City. To be eligible, you must live in the city limits of Kansas City.