BIG News

KC Startups Tapped for ‘Fueling the Growth’ Pitch Competition

Four local companies have been chosen as semifinalists for Fueling the Growth, a pitch competition for women-led tech companies.

ConsultUS Technologies, PopBookings, Mobility Designed and Play-it Health are among 25 companies that have been invited to compete on Nov. 16 in Stamford, Connecticut. Ten finalists will be chosen to present later that night.

At stake is $120,000 in grant money.

Fueling the Growth is a joint project of the Kauffman Foundation, Uber and The Refinery, an accelerator program. Women entrepreneurs in a handful of cities—Kansas City; Stamford and New Haven, Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; Providence, R.I.—were invited to deliver a short pitch while riding in an Uber car last month.

“Our goal in hosting Fueling the Growth with UberPITCH was to get as many women entrepreneurs as possible in one-on-one meetings with investors to pitch their companies and get feedback,” said Janis Collins, The Refinery’s co-founder.