BRINGING THE KC TECH COMMUNITY TOGETHER

The entrepreneurial scene in Kansas City is hot, and so are the opportunities for finding funding at the seventh annual Pure Pitch Rally! At this invitation-only event, eight entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch and compete for funding cash and resources totaling up to $1 million from our land sharks and corporate sponsors. Which companies represent the “next big idea” in tech? We look forward to finding out Oct. 21!

Pure Pitch Rally

Monday, October 21, 2024

2-4 p.m.

Burns & McDonnell Global Headquarters Auditorium
9400 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114

Watch this year’s recording on demand!

Meet the 2024 Cohort

DeskSides | Blish Connor and Allison Hogan
Icorium Engineering Company | Kalin Baca
Partydip | Angela Hein
PropFix | Marcelle Clements
Roz | Sarah Hampton and Donnie Hampton
Scout | Gonzalo Erdozain
SpacePlace | Tim Bergerhofer
ULOM | Zik Nwanganga

Between 2018 and 2022, startups created 66 percent of all net new jobs in Kansas City and 8 percent of total employment.
— We Create KC, February 2024

How Pure Pitch Rally Works

8 tech startups.

Startups representing ideas and innovation in all aspects of technology are encouraged to apply for consideration. Our organizers thoroughly vet all applicants and adhere to rigorous selection standards for hand-picking the companies who will participate.

100+ land sharks.

The event’s land sharks represent the “who’s who” of investors, CEOs and VIPs in the world of tech, both in Kansas City and beyond! The judges each bring a $1,000 check to present to the pitcher they deem worthy of the non-dilutive funding.

$100,000+ of funding.

In addition to the cash awarded by our land sharks, attendees will vote to award a People’s Choice cash prize. When combined with other sponsor resources and community donations, pitchers will receive serious funding to help accelerate their businesses!

Plus, pitchers will benefit from an incredible year of ongoing support through our bootcamp curriculum!

Pitch Bootcamp

In preparation for the big event, Eric Morgenstern, CEO of Morningstar Communications, will share his Generally Accepted Presentation Principles to help pitchers understand the 10 core principles of GAPP and be able to develop and deliver more persuasive presentations with this proven process. He will then provide individual pitch coaching for refinement.

Brand Bootcamp

Following the event, marketing experts from Circle Sideways and other leading agencies will team up to break down each pitcher’s biggest marketing challenges and brainstorm ways to turn them into opportunities for solidifying the brand and positioning the company successfully for growth. Pitchers are welcome and encouraged to bring teammates to this event.

Fund Bootcamp

With a pitch and brand well on their way to being perfected, our participants will have the opportunity to pick the brains of professionals from sponsors Forvis, nbkc bank and Polsinelli to address their funding and financial accounting needs. This bootcamp encourages collaboration across pitchers to identify pressing questions that will get answered.

Product Dev Bootcamp

An essential part of success in building a tech startup is strategically executing product development. Land sharks and sponsors from Viagio Technologies will divulge the secrets of building a winning tech stack that positions our founders to engage clients and customers, generate revenue, and prepare to scale.

Reverse Pitch

Startups must often generate out-of-the-box ideas to refine, scale and grow. In this final bootcamp event, we bring 100+ high school students from across the Kansas City metro area together to analyze an identified challenge each startup is having and pitch back ideas for addressing it. Winning student teams walk away with fun swag and bragging rights while our founders walk away with a fresh perspective and unique solutions for overcoming core business obstacles!

Interested in mentoring our founders?

If you have knowledge and expertise in any of the areas we cover via our bootcamps, contact us about volunteering to help these exciting startups on their journeys!

In 2021, Fast Company recognized Pure Pitch Rally with an honorable mention in its World-Changing Ideas awards category for Impact Investing. Read about the honor and all the ways our alumni are benefitting from this one-of-a-kind, world-changing event!

Presenting Sponsors

Performing Sponsors