Nixon announces $1.2M in grants to KC programs

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon made an appearance at Techweek Thursday to announce $1.19 million in grants to three Kansas City organizations through the Missouri Technology Corporation.

Of the $1.19 million, $565,000 is going to LaunchKC, $500,000 is going to the Digital Sandbox KC and $125,000 is going to the Independence Economic Development Council. The 2016 Missouri budget signed by Gov. Nixon includes nearly $16 million for programs at the MTC, a public-private partnership promoting entrepreneurship.

The grants are geared primarily toward providing mentors, access to capital, and coworking opportunities.

“Year after year, we continue to see more enterprising Missourians starting and expanding their businesses, creating jobs and growing our economy” Nixon said in a release. “With these new investments to help startups and entrepreneurs launch their businesses, we will continue to ensure that the next big idea in tech innovation happens right here in Missouri.”

Nixon’s announcement came before he introduced Techweek keynote speaker Jim McKelvey, co-founder of LaunchCode and Square. The governor was introduced by Techweek’s CEO Katy Lynch.

“This city has a burgeoning tech scene, and we’re here to highlight the people, initiatives, and the companies that make KC great,” Lynch said in a news release. “Startups and the organizations that enable them are growing at an exciting rate here. It is very impressive to see how supportive state and local government has been in promoting new business growth in the region. It’s no surprise that there’s a strong sense of community and pride throughout the city.”