Tag: Jim Erickson

Meet LaunchKC’s winners: $60K prize today; world headquarters in KC tomorrow

By Tommy Felts / November 18, 2025

Every iconic company headquartered in Kansas City — from Helzberg Diamonds to Hallmark — started with an entrepreneur hoping to scale a small idea into big impact, said Jim Erickson, teasing a next wave of emerging startups and the latest winners of the LaunchKC grants competition. Eight early-stage companies were announced Monday as recipients of…

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‘The American dream is the Midwest’: LaunchKC powers next generation of startup job creators

By Tommy Felts / September 19, 2025

Editor’s note: The following is part of an ongoing feature series exploring impacts of initiatives within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City through a paid partnership with EDCKC. Relocating to Kansas City after winning a LaunchKC grant — and the community and infrastructure support that comes with it — gives Russel Karim’s startup a centralized…

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LaunchKC opens grants competition with nationwide search; eying companies to call KC home

By Tommy Felts / August 28, 2025

A popular grants competition that offers early stage tech companies the opportunity to win $60,000 in non-dilutive grants, downtown Kansas City office space, and access to scaling resources is back for 2025 — emphasizing startups with high-growth potential and equitable business practices. LaunchKC’s signature Liftoff grants competition opened applications Thursday, kicking off a nationwide search…

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Homegrown startups can redefine KC, leader says; they just need help surviving long enough to do it

By Tommy Felts / May 14, 2025

Editor’s note: The following is the third in a four-part series exploring the verticals and impact of initiatives within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City through a paid partnership with EDCKC. Leave KC better than you found it: How matching growth to city’s needs is paying off Wrong tool can wreck a neighborhood; Precision development…

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Just funded: LaunchKC unveils 7 newest grant winners, topping $385K in startup capital

By Tommy Felts / November 20, 2024

LaunchKC’s big reveal Tuesday was about more than checking a box — or getting hands on oversized checks — with grant competition winners taking the stage to introduce their companies to an eager community of supporters, entrepreneurs and investors.  “This event is incredible,” said Donnie Hampton, co-founder of Roz, one of seven startups honored Tuesday…

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