LaunchKC was at the South by Southwest conference this week in Austin to announce the second year of the grant competition, which will award up to $500,000 in startup grants.

Startups can begin applying for LaunchKC on April 1. Ten startups will each win a $50,000 grant and free office space for a year, along with mentoring and other support services.

“We are searching for the best and brightest startups or early-stage technology businesses to apply and compete for $500,000 in grants,” said LaunchKC chairman Drew Solomon, the vice president of job and business development at Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City.

“We want to help these entrepreneurs make their business dreams come true in Kansas City, Mo.”

All applications are due by midnight July 6. LaunchKC will select a list of 20 finalists by Aug. 29, and the finalists will be judged during Techweek KC, which will run Sept. 15-16.

Last year, about 500 companies entered the LaunchKC contest. The inaugural class included a mix of local and out-of-town startups: blooom, Health ID, Integrated Roadways, KC Drone Company, Nodal Security, PopBookings, Pycno, Square Offs, Vertisense and VideoFizz.

“Our goal for 2016 is to raise the bar in our search for the best applicants, the most promising startup businesses,” Solomon said. “Our focus is on tech-powered businesses and ideas that are poised for sustainable growth.”