Meet the Winners of the 2023 Regnier Venture Creation Challenge Pitch Competition
The 2023 Regnier Venture Creation Challenge, an annual business plan and pitch competition hosted by University of Missouri – Kansas City, will award up to $90,000 in funding to student entrepreneurs and Kansas City small business owners later this month.
This year’s competition is broken down into three tracks — two for students and one for the Kansas City community.
The finalist presentations are 1-3 p.m. in-person on Friday, April 28, followed by an awards ceremony and networking at the UMKC Bloch Executive Hall.
Here is the roster of this year’s finalists:
James and Rae Block Kansas City Startup Track
Open to early-stage businesses with annual revenue between zero to $250,000 operating in the Kansas City MARC Region. None of the founding team (equity holders/owners) can be current degree-seeking college students.
· First place, $17,500: Rings of Care KC Inc.
· Second place, $12,500: Come on Now Inc.
· Third place, $2,500: Venboo
Regnier College Startup Track
Open to students (undergraduate, graduate, PhD) enrolled at a university or college in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska or Kansas.
· First place, $15,000: ChiChi (Washington University in St. Louis)
· Second place, $10,000: King of the Curve (Washington University in St. Louis)
· Third place, $5,000: Xotu Jewelry (University of Missouri – Kansas City)
Blue KC Healthcare Innovation Track
Open to healthcare related ventures started by degree-seeking college students (undergraduate, graduate, Ph.D.) from any area of study enrolled at a university or college in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska or Kansas.
· First place, $15,000: Foliagraft (Missouri University of Science and Technology)
· Second place, $10,000: InforMedic, Inc. (University of Nebraska – Lincoln)
Honorable Mentions
Outstanding undergraduate venture, $2,500: Solutoy
Outstanding social venture, $2,500: Vi Sinh Xinh
Photo of 2022 winners courtesy of Regnier Venture Creation Challenge.