LaunchKC’s 2018 Global Grants Competition opened this week.
The competition, which began in 2015, is open to entrepreneurs seeking grant funding to propel their startup. Lasting for exactly 100 days, the application period will close July 11, 2018. The competition is not exclusive to Kansas City-based entrepreneurs.
Offering a $100,000 grand prize grant and eight $50,000 grants, LaunchKC is looking to invest in scalable vertical sectors:
- advanced manufacturing
- animal health
- cloud services
- data analytics
- EdTech
- FinTech
- health tech
- mobile
- real estate technology
The Downtown Council of Kansas City, in collaboration with the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, runs the competition.
Grant funding is made possible by the participation of 27 sponsors including The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, JE Dunn Construction and KCP&L.
Over the past three years, more than 1,000 startups have applied from 17 states and eight countries. Past recipients include Blooom, a 401k advice firm; HerdDogg, an agriculture technology company; and M+D, Mobility+Designed, an innovative medical crutch providing greater mobility and comfort than that of its precursor.
Applications will be narrowed to 20 finalists over the summer following an extensive review by a panel of experts. Finalists will advance to the 2018 TechWeek Kansas City conference, where the nine recipients will be named.
Located in Kansas City, Mo., LaunchKC is an economic support engine for startup businesses assisting in job creation, recruiting talent and helping companies illustrate value to potential investors.
