Kansas City Startups and Companies to Watch in 2017
Keep a close eye on these 31 Kansas City startups and companies; they are all movers and shakers who are turning disruptive ideas into sought-after businesses in the Midwest and beyond.
Companies on the KCSourceLink 2017 KC Watch List received funding, grant or investment, in 2015 and 2016, or two investments or grants in 2016. Some of them are here for the fourth year running. (Hat tip to Lending Standard.)
KCSourceLink tracks Kansas City's efforts toward becoming America's most entrepreneurial city through our entrepreneurship ecosystem reports at wecreatekc.com and through our monthly Show Me the Money series, which highlights Kansas City startups and companies that have received funding or investment.
And so, without further ado . . . here are the KC startups and companies to watch for 2017:
“Agreeable, a mobile app, allows users to first screen potential meeting partners to see how reliable they have historically been, to create a mutual agreement in writing about their meeting plans and to receive compensation if their time is wasted.” You can trust they were on time when they pitched Digital Sandbox KC and received proof-of-concept support.
“Ansera Analytics is an independent research and development company.... Founded in 2014, the company has a mission of developing and enhancing technologies suitable for field-based pathogen research, detection, and identification.”
Blooom
Leawood, Kansas
blooom is a low-cost, online platform created to help improve the way average Americans manage their 401(k) retirement plans. This is their second consecutive year on the Watch List and they were featured in the 2016 We Create KC report.
C2FO
Fairway, Kansas
C2FO is the largest marketplace for working capital in the world. “Buyers simply upload their approved invoices into the market and establish their target return and cash available. Suppliers request early payment of their approved invoices at a rate that works for them." They have spent two years on Forbes FinTech 50 list and three on this list.
“One in four dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime. ELIAS Animal Health is elevating the hope of veterinarians and pet owners alike by changing the way cancer is fundamentally treated. ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI™) harnesses the power of the dog’s own immune system to eliminate the cancer.” This is their second time on the Watch List.
Farmobile
Overland Park, Kansas
This year AGCO, one of the world's leading agricultural equipment manufacturers and dealers, will begin selling Farmobile’s “plug-and-play device for ag equipment and related software subscription services at select U.S. dealerships.” This tech allows farmers to collect data and is “used to store, share and sell valuable agronomic and machine data to vetted third parties.”
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If this team reaches their goal, identity fraud and money laundering will become crimes of the past. “IDENTIFiD’s patented biometric and hardware agnostic platform provides the backend identity database to be shared among the many industries suffering from fraud and compliance issues caused by the insecurity of existing IDs.”
Their product, “NTrainer System promotes early development of essential non-nutritive sucking (NNS) skills in newborns and infants born prematurely. The system helps caregivers in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units to better understand how to treat infants with feeding challenges and better treat these infants to improve outcomes.” They were featured on the Watch List in 2014.
"InnovaPrep is engaged in product development, manufacturing, sales, service, and related out-licensing of a collection of novel technologies enabling rapid detection of biological particles and pathogens. The company is commercializing a collection of market-disruptive platform technologies for rapid, automated concentration of biological particles."
LaborChart
Overland Park, Kansas
A subscription based software-as-a-service, Laborchart “supports the essential human activity of building, by improving the efficiency, productivity, and compliance of the construction managers and skilled workers who undertake it.” They received proof-of-concept support from Digital Sandbox KC in 2015 and were a recipient of a $50,000 Launch KC grant the year after.
“LendingStandard creates an open, but secure online environment where organizations can request, receive, edit and collaborate on all the information and documentation required to finance a commercial transaction.” This is their fourth year on the Watch List, a testament to their growth and stamina.
“JobShakers is a deftly designed, high utility employee referral solution focused on the skilled hourly employment sector. In 2015, 86 percent of job seekers used their smartphone to look for jobs, so JobShakers is specifically crafted for today’s mobile-minded and socially connected workforce.”
After a viral video at the top of the year, the first batch of the M+D Crutch sold out in two months. Since then, Mobility Designed received a $50,000 LaunchKC grant and took home the grand prize in the UPS X-Port Challenge. This is their second year on the Watch List; learn more of their story.
Moblico
Kansas City, Missouri
Moblico provides digital marketing acquisition, retention, loyalty, and monetization solutions with its powerful data-driven engagement platform and world-class client success services. This is their third year on the Watch List.
MyCroft
Kansas City, Missouri
A Techstars company and another 2016 LaunchKC recipient, “Mycroft is focused on creating an open source artificial intelligence that can be used in a wide range of products in many different industries. They focus on creating great experiences by leveraging an awesome open source community in order to help achieve the goal of creating an incredible platform for handling natural language processing and turning that into actions that assist people in their daily lives.”
This is HylaPharm’s third year on the Watch List and they are “developing cancer chemotherapies targeted for potentially deadly, locally advanced cancers. Unlike conventional chemotherapy that enters vein and diffuses all over the body before getting to the tumor, their patented drug HylaPlat™ is injected into the tumor or surrounding at-risk tissues.”
PayIt
Kansas City, Missouri
“PayIt simplifies doing business with state, local and federal government through its patent-pending mobile transaction and payment platform. Along with government partners, they are transforming the customer experience and making government more modern, convenient and mobile.”
“PerfectCube is a data analysis tool designed to give small retail businesses meaningful data about their business and tell them what to do with it. Small retail stores don't have the resources of large franchise systems or chain stores. PerfectCube aims to change that.” They are a recipient of a LaunchKC grant and proof-of-concept support from Digital Sandbox KC.
“PlanIT Impact is a cloud-based web application that allows architects, designers, engineers, developers and planners to better understand—at the earliest stages of the design process—how a building or respective area will impact the environment.” The team received Digital Sandbox KC support in 2015.
“Play-it Health designs customized software and services to improve adherence to healthy medical regimens.” Founder Kim Gandy joined the Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship program at the start of 2016 and they were one of the first Digital Sandbox companies.
“PopBookings is an online software for event and promotional staffing agencies that makes the process of booking and communicating with event staff simple by streamlining every step on one easy platform.” They were awarded a Missouri Technology Corporation IDEA fund and this is their third year on the Watch List.
QM Power
Kansas City, Missouri
“QM Power delivers high-efficiency electric motor technology that shatters industry standards for energy consumption by up to 80%. The company’s innovative, patented Q-Sync permanent magnet synchronous motor sets a new standard in fan motor performance, reliability and cost….”
“Revaluate lets you know what it’s like to live at a specific location…before you move there. By combining a “carfax-like” home history report with a proprietary scoring platform, Revaluate has created a livability rating that allows buyers, renters and real estate professionals to quickly and accurately compare significant and subtle differences between properties.”
RiskGenius
Overland Park, Kansas
Reviewing and comparing insurance claims is onerous and time-consuming. RiskGenius simplifies the process for insurance professionals and their customers using machine learning and natural language processing. No artificial intelligence needed to know this is their second year on the Watch List.
ShotTracker “improves the performance of competitive athletes by bringing elite level analytics to the masses. Their latest innovation, ShotTracker TEAM, captures real-time practice and game stats for basketball teams.” This is their third year on the watch list and they scored high profile investors this year: Magic Johnson and David Stern.
Shoutz
Overland Park, Kansas
“Shoutz is an award-winning marketing, technology and gaming company that brings together the rewarding and fun experiences of mobile gaming with consumer engagement and loyalty programs within the retail, media and entertainment industries.”
Slcket
Kansas City area
Slcket’s “goal is to effectively reinvent social media through a unique platform.” They are currently in stealth mode, go to their website to sign up for the beta version of their app.
SpiderOak
Kansas City, Missouri
“SpiderOak offers Zero Knowledge cloud solutions for your enterprise and home including encrypted group chat, file-sharing and backup.”
“Super Dispatch is a mobile platform that helps transportation companies eliminate paperwork, manage fleets, track shipments, and integrate with existing software systems.” In 2016 they participated in the Techstars program and received a LaunchKC grant.
“Trevia is a health care company that provides cutting-edge technology solutions to the diabetes care industry, resulting in a measureable impact on health care outcomes. Their solutions help to create a collaborative diabetic care network of providers and diabetic patients, connected through a common technology platform….”
VideoFizz
Kansas City, Missouri
“VideoFizz’s mobile apps make it easy to bring friends together to create a one-of-a-kind video for any celebration or occasion using only your smartphone. With 13 themes and tons of custom animations, VideoFizz helps you create a gift they will never forget.” This is their second year on the Watch List.
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