UMKC hosted its Regnier Venture Creation Challenge recently, a pitch competition that allowed college students and full-time entrepreneurs to present their startups and compete for cash prizes. Dr. Shelley Cooper, a serial entrepreneur and Pure Pitch Rally alumna, won first place in the non-student James [...]
Marma, a women-led health tech startup in Kansas City, was one of 10 companies selected by Springboard Enterprises to join its Inaugural 2024 Women’s Health Innovation Program Cohort. Ultimately, this program aims to normalize women’s health as a mainstream industry. With a focus on providing personalized nutritional guidance to address the critical [...]
Digital Sandbox KC announced nine new local startups will join their program to kick off 2024. As members of the cohort, these entrepreneurs will receive foundational support, mentorship and up to $20,000 in project funding. Selected companies range in industry from aerospace 3D printing to healthcare streamlined solutions. Of the nine startups, two [...]
A group of local Kansas City businesses and institutions received a federal grant of $2 million, just three weeks after the city earned the title of U.S. Tech Hub. The Build to Scale grant was generously matched by an award from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The grant was awarded to the [...]
Clara Biotech, a 2019 Pure Pitch Rally alumnus, recently joined forces with InnovaPrep, a local leader in biotech. According to Jim West, co-founder of Clara Biotech, the deal came to fruition as their team was considering a potential merger or acquisition with another company, but this opportunity represented a better fit for the [...]
VideoFizz, a first-year alumna, was recently recognized for launching its consumer-facing brand. The start-up previously signed a deal with Hallmark Cards Inc. to utilize their technology to create a new video greeting card. The partnership went well; however, it was time for VideoFizz to be recognized as their own brand. VideoFizz offers its [...]
Vetelligence, a 2021 Pure Pitch Rally alumnus, was recently selected for a top regional accelerator. The owner of the start-up, Zachary Oshinbanjo, served in the U.S. Army as an indirect infantryman and specialist for four years. His vision for Vetelligence is to help guide veterans or military service members into tech careers. Learn [...]
Two alumni from the 2022 Pure Pitch Rally, Ask SAMIE and CodeAlgo Academy, were recently added as members of the Pathfinder Cohort by Pipeline Entrepreneurs. As members of the Pathfinder cohort, these start-ups have access to mentors, potential investors and peers. Ask SAMIE is an app that [...]
Pure Pitch Rally 2019 alumnus Clara Biotech was among the top 21 companies selected by a Wichita-based accelerator. Clara Biotech is known for creating exosome isolation and a purification platform allowing the biopharma industry to create future medicine. Learn more from Startland News
Marma Nutrition, a 2022 Pitch Rally alumnae, was one of five tech start-ups in Kansas City awarded funding of up to $20,000 by Digital Sandbox KC in 2023. The start-up provides a platform for women to find nutrition guidance during each stage of fertility, pregnancy and postpartum. In addition to receiving funding, Digital [...]