Business Competitions and Awards

Digital Sandbox KC: (Ongoing)

Digital Sandbox KC brings together people, ideas and resources to build thriving companies. The program provides much needed early-stage funding to rising stars. The region's longtime leaders including private companies, government agencies and universities have united to help this new wave of entrepreneurs. It's an unprecedented metro-wide effort to help make KC America's most entrepreneurial city.

RESULTS SO FAR:
93 proof-of-concept projects funded for area startups
35 new KC-based companies created
53 companies have secured follow-on investment
$38.2 million in follow-on funding
More than 480 new jobs created, with more than $12 million in payroll

Digital Sandbox KC broadly seeks new innovation in information technology.  The Sandbox provides innovators with proof-of-concept resources to support early-stage commercialization processes. The Sandbox may cover expenses for project consultants, market research, legal support, equipment and other market validation, prototyping and beta testing needs.

The Digital Sandbox KC process requires:
- Completion of the Digital Sandbox KC Online Application
- A Meeting/Pitch Evaluation
- A Board Vote

Please keep in mind that this application will be viewed by those evaluating your submission; those participating in your meeting/pitch and by the Sandbox board for voting purposes. Once your application is received, it will be reviewed for completeness and you will be contacted with information regarding next steps. Submission Tip: Thoroughly reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions prior to submission may improve your outcome.

 

OPEN TO ALL APPLICANTS
Thank you for your interest in the program. The E-Scholars program is open to all applicants. You don't need to be a UMKC student to apply.

Since 2011, more than 400 rising entrepreneurs from various backgrounds have completed the program. If you have an idea for a venture, Entrepreneurship Studio can help you turn that idea into a business with growth potential.
 
PROGRAM PRICE
The price of the program is $1000, per venture, for the entire year and includes meals on workshop and mentor review days. For students taking for college credit, this will be billed as any typical class. Specific details and information on payments for the program can be found on the E-Scholars website.

A limited number of scholarships are available for entrepreneurs from the community.
 

ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR UMKC STUDENTS
UMKC students can get course credit for the program and payment can be made in the same way as all courses at the university. The $1000 yearly cost is waived for enrolled students seeking course credit.

 VENTURES WITH MULTIPLE FOUNDERS
We admit participants in the E-Scholars program on the basis of ventures.  We understand that some ventures include multiple founders. Please designate one founder as the primary participant to complete the application and indicate if there are additional founders in the appropriate section of the survey.  


APPLY HERE

The Pilot Research Program is a way for your district or school to engage your teachers, students, and parents in the innovation process. We’ll help you gather data and insights so you can prioritize your biggest challenges. Then, we’ll help you select and research an emerging tech-based program to find out if it works in your context Receive up to $10K in grant funding to support teacher stipends and school needs. Access free learning experiences focused on innovation. Educator leadership opportunities & professional development. Make evidence-based decisions to inform whether you should purchase or implement products at scale.

How it works

A school representative starts by completing the short Expression of Interest Form and answering some "Get To Know You" questions. Then, the LEANLAB research team conducts qualitative research through focus groups with parents, teachers, and administrators. We’ll use those learnings to search the globe and find technology solutions that may work in your context. When a match is found, you’ll go on to co-design a research question and implement the pilot in your school.

MTC's IDEA Fund was developed as a state-sponsored venture capital program to support Missouri's early-stage entrepreneurs in developing technologies and creating jobs across Missouri while positioning companies for future venture capital investment. The IDEA Fund supports technology startups through matching equity or convertible debt investments for the purpose of technology and business development.

To date, MTC has made direct investments of nearly $46M into over 140 of the state's most promising early-stage technology-focused companies and those companies have raised over $1.1bn in follow-on private funding.

The deadlines for full consideration for each quarterly application review cycle for 2023 are listed below.

April 2023 Award Cycle - Application deadline of 11:59 pm, Wednesday, February 8, 2023
July 2023 Award Cycle - Application deadline of 11:59 pm, Wednesday, May 17, 2023
October 2023 Award Cycle - Application deadline of 11:59 pm, Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Interested in applying? Visit the Missouri Technology Corporation's website

Techstars has discontinued the Kansas City region accelerator to created a greater reach nationally. However, Kansas City business are encouraged to continue to apply to one of the 50 accelerators worldwide. 

Click Here to find a Techstars Accelerator that is best suited for the needs of your business!

Missouri Small Business Development is offering a Phase 0 FAST Grant to fund up to $2500 toward a grant writer for your Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant submission.

For more information reach out to our Innovation & Technology Counselor, Ed Lahue at elahue@missouri.edu

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. 

>> Apply at nmleep.com. 
2022 Applications have closed, but you can pre-apply for 2023. 

This program empowers next-gen entrepreneurs to rapidly transition from the lab to the marketplace.

New Mexico LEEP is seeking innovators focused in one of five technology areas, with specific interest and capabilities in sectors that include:

• Specialized Materials and Alloys
• Recycling and Recovery
• Cyber Defense
• Quantum and Other Novel Computing
• Bio surveillance and Diagnostics
• Microbial Ecology
• Grid Modernization
• Battery Storage Optimization
• Novel Payload Development and Testing
• Remote Sensing

Advantages of the New Mexico LEEP Two-Year Fellowship:

1. An annual stipend of up to $120,000, plus health insurance, travel reimbursement, and relocation assistance allowing selected Fellows to work solely on product development.
2.  
3. Go to market quickly with a collaboration agreement of $100,000 per year with a New Mexico national laboratory (Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs are program partners) to support early product development.
4.  
5. Training, mentoring and other assistance with technology commercialization and business development.
   

Do you have the next big idea in animal health? Are you interested in connecting with investors, potential partners and clients to secure funding and partnerships to accelerate your business? The Animal Health Summit offers one of the only opportunities for early-stage companies in the animal health sector to present their vision and business plan to potential investors.Companies presenting at the Summit have raised over half a billion dollars; in addition, many companies have secured licensing agreements, distribution contracts and/or been acquired. The Summit showcases animal health, nutrition, diagnostic and technology companies from throughout the world. We are seeking companies that meet the following criteria: Seeking $500,000 to $20 million in funding OR strategic partnerships to advance a company’s technology Revenue projections of $20 million within five to seven years

Unique Benefits Offered to Selected Emerging Companies

• Access to industry experts
• Assistance with development of company pitch deck
• Individualized mentoring
• Two practice pitch sessions with industry feedback in real time
• Development of an investor profile
• Promotion of company to qualified investors
• Media promotion

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. CDT on April 3, 2023. 
Apply Here
All companies will be contacted by June 23, 2023, regarding their acceptance 

Tech entrepreneurs and innovators, this is for YOU!

The Missouri Technology Corporation is now accepting applications for its IDEA Fund Co-Investment Programs, which provide financing to eligible businesses through components that correspond to the stages of growth for investment-grade, high-growth enterprises.

TechLaunch Co-Investment Program provides up to $100,000 of pre-seed funding for the purpose of technology and business development.

Seed Capital Co-Investment Program provides up to $500,000 of seed funding for the purpose of technology and business development.

Venture Capital Co-Investment Program provides up to $2,000,000 of growth funding for companies that have identified a qualified lead investor.

 

Deadlines:

April 2023 Award Cycle: Application deadline of 11:59 pm, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023

July 2023 Award Cycle: Application deadline of 11:59 pm, Wednesday, April 12, 2023

October 2023 Award Cycle: Application deadline of 11:59 pm, Wednesday, June 28, 2023

To date, MTC has made direct investments of nearly $46 million into over 140 of the state's most promising early-stage technology-focused companies; those companies have raised over $1.1 billion in follow-on funding.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join the list!