St. Louis tech group expanding to KC
July 2, 2015 | Abby Tillman
A St. Louis tech organization is using its recent funding award to expand its operations into Kansas City.
LaunchCode, a nonprofit organization that helps with job placement in technology, received a $250,000 award Wednesday from the Missouri Technology Corporation that will help it expand to cities across Missouri, including Kansas City.
“MTC’s support will be instrumental in allowing us to serve Missouri communities,” LaunchCode Executive Director Brendan Lind said in a release. “MTC’s commitment has deepened our dedication to the state, and affirmed our desire to make Missouri the model for how LaunchCode expands to other states.”
The organization has secured commitments to match MTC’s support, but will source an additional $850,000 to fully realize its Kansas City hub and explore opportunities for expansion to other Missouri cities. The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Mo., and JPMorgan Chase & Co. have joined MTC as key partners in bringing LaunchCode to the region.
“Given our commitment to educating and employing our residents, it is critical that the city can rely on partners such as LaunchCode to facilitate synergy in our technology community as we work to equip residents for available technology related jobs,” Kansas City Mayor Sly James said in a release. “I applaud the Missouri Technology Corporation’s support of LaunchCode, and encourage other organizations to support LaunchCode and similar programs in Kansas City.”
The tech workforce organization currently partners with over 300 employers nationwide to place job seekers from non-traditional educational backgrounds in paid apprenticeships in technology jobs. They have placed 205 apprentices in tech jobs with over 90 percent converted to permanent hires within 90 days through the TechHire initiative in St. Louis.
On July 15, LaunchCode will host a public forum to discuss its Kansas City expansion with regional community leaders, employers, workforce agencies, educators, and the public. To learn more, click here.
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
LISTEN: Meet the partners behind Plug and Play Topeka’s growth (and impact)
On a special episode of Startland News’ 12-part podcast series diving deeper into Plug and Play, we explore how the Topeka-based program and its partners work to turn bold ideas into Kansas success stories. Guests includes Bret Lanz from Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute; John G. Brown of StenCo; and Cole Ahlvers from NQV8…
Pour decisions: Craft beverage enthusiasts add Sunday tasting event to KC’s pregame cart
Kansas City’s roster of craft beverages — from rookies to veteran players on the scene — come to the field in a wide range of uniforms, said Jason Burton, noting there’s no better time to checkout the lineup with thirsty friends than as the Chiefs return to Arrowhead Stadium this weekend. The play: showcase Kansas…
Back to the people: Social venture firm connects WyCo entrepreneurs with a human-centered toolkit
Editor’s note: The following story is presented through a paid partnership with Network Kansas. [divide] An initiative built on collaboration with business boosters already embedded in urban communities is deepening Network Kansas’ impact, said Erik Pedersen, sharing how the strategy helps more readily connect entrepreneurs to available resources like loans and technical assistance. In Wyandotte…
Great Jobs KC aims to impact 50,000 Kansas City scholars within a decade — one life at a time
Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC). Click here to read the original story. [divide] Natalie Lewis is no stranger to complex work. As chief operating officer of Great Jobs KC, she oversees programs that connect thousands of Kansas Citians with scholarships, tuition-free job…