St. Louis tech group expanding to KC

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.