Techweek KC returning with big LaunchKC, Techstars, BetaBlox demo days

One of Kansas City’s biggest conference series for entrepreneurs is returning in October alongside some of KC’s most premier accelerator programs, said Amanda Signorelli, CEO of Techweek KC.

Demo days for Techstars KC and BetaBlox will join LaunchKC as signature events during the Oct. 8-12 conference, she said.

“Combined with the nationally recognized LaunchKC competition that awards $500,000 in non-dilutive grants after a live pitch competition, Techweek KC 2018 will attract and showcase more tech talent and emerging entrepreneurs this year than any other event in the country,” Signorelli said.

Chicago-based Techweek first came to the Kansas City market in 2015, she said, noting organizers are focused now on offering more and better technical content, education and training in the realm of innovation and technology.

An ongoing partnership with Kansas City’s Big Data Summit should help Techweek toward that goal.

“Bringing the biggest names in big data and data analytics to Kansas City within the scope and reach of Techweek is an awesome opportunity for our community,” said Don Peterson, founder of the Big Data Summit and the Kansas City Big Data Meetup.

In addition to big data, Techweek’s 2018 tracks focus on healthcare technology, venture capital, IoT/smart cities, virtual reality and augmented reality, digital media/marketing, public policy in tech, minority entrepreneurship/inclusion, and cryptocurrency/blockchain.

“Combined with the educational and networking opportunities, speaker panels, interactive workshops, a hiring fair, nationally recognized keynote speakers and an expanded expo with over 100 booths, we expect this year’s conference to be the best yet,” Signorelli said.