Becca Castro

Nearly $500K in renewed MTC funding for LaunchKC expected to empower early-stage tech startups for years 

A popular entrepreneur support program is getting fresh funding from the State of Missouri to continue its competition for non-dilutive grants, along with offering winning companies office space, educational programs, and access to mentors. LaunchKC, the non-profit initiative founded by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, (EDCKC) and Downtown Council is set to…

EDCKC boasts right team at the right time, CEO says as agency rebuilds its reputation

With 18 months of foundational work now laid, Tracey Lewis said, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City is well on its way to rebuilding the trust, respect, and effective communication needed to execute the agency’s economic development goals. That takes repairing bridges between the City of KCMO and the EDCKC, he said, as well…

LaunchKC awards $300K: Six new startups enter the winners’ circle with KC investments

Editor’s note: Startland News’ coverage of Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City is made possible by the support of Husch Blackwell. Emerging entrepreneurs don’t need Silicon Valley to launch or scale their startups, said Holly Andra Small, leader of one of six companies announced Tuesday as $50,000 winners in LaunchKC’s grants competition.  “We were so excited,” said…

LaunchKC liftoff: Meet 13 startups competing for their share of $300K in grant winnings 

Kansas City’s premiere grants competition returns in mere weeks with six $50,000 grants on the line, said Becca Castro, and more than dozen startup founders are being interviewed this week to help determine the winners. LaunchKC — a partnership between the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Downtown Council — plans to…

LaunchKC grants competition eyes startups hoping to scale in KC; Applications now open

When LaunchKC’s next round of grant recipients are announced this fall during Global Entrepreneurship Week, winning startups will receive game-changing exposure in addition to the $50,000 in prize money, said Jon Ruiz. His venture, EB Systems, was among six winners in 2022 when the popular grants competition was rebooted by LaunchKC after a four-year hiatus…