KCRise Fund backs five more KC-area tech startups

By Tommy Felts | June 20, 2017

Spurring engagement from dozens of area investors, the KCRise Fund has announced five new funding deals in area firms. Launched in 2016 in conjunction with the regional KC Rising economic initiative, the KCRise Fund has added ShotTracker, SMRxT, SquareOffs, Backlot Cars, and Bardavon Health Innovations to its portfolio of now 10 firms. The fund did…

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MTC gifts $2.6M to 10 Missouri tech firms, including one from KC

By Tommy Felts | December 9, 2016

The Missouri Technology Corporation is making the holidays extra special for 10 Show Me State startups. With an aim to grow the state’s tech and bioscience sectors, the MTC announced that it approved $2.6 million in co-investment awards to 10 firms, including $225,000 to Kansas City-based SquareOffs. Founded in 2012 by Jeff Rohr, SquareOffs created…

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Reporting from Ireland: A pint with Pipeline fellow Jeff Rohr

By Tommy Felts | September 20, 2016

Belfast, Northern Ireland — Keen to tap Irish hospitality and a culture of innovation, members of the Pipeline entrepreneurial fellowship program have incurred no shortage of either in Northern Ireland’s capital city. After a morning of “speed dating” with Irish entrepreneurs, 13 fellows in Pipeline’s 2016 fellowship class joined alumni at Brewbot to continue fostering…

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LaunchKC announces 20 finalists for $50K grants

By Tommy Felts | August 23, 2016

After trying deliberations that went into Monday evening, the Kansas City-based grants competition LaunchKC has revealed its 20 finalists that will vie for a piece of the $500,000 pie. The competition — which will distribute $500,000 via 10, $50,000 non-dilutive grants — drew more than 400 tech startup applicants for the second year in a…

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LaunchKC snags hundreds of hungry applicants

By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2016

The popular grants competition LaunchKC again was met with an enthusiastic response by applicants. The competition — which will distribute $500,000 via 10, $50,000 non-dilutive grants — drew more than 400 tech startup applicants for the second year in a row. A panel of judges are now combing through the applications to find the top…

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