This year has been filled with significant milestones here at Technology Venture Studio. Our community of entrepreneurs, developers and visionaries has continued to push the boundaries of technology, fostering an environment where groundbreaking ideas come to life.

To all the founders, investors, researchers and partners we have the privilege of working with: thank you.  As we bid farewell to 2024, we have immense gratitude for the honor of collaborating and empowering the growth of our diverse and vibrant tech community. You are the reason we do what we do.

Wishing much joy, health and happiness this holiday season from our team to yours!

 – Jill, Jeff, Jennifer and Ben

We are actively seeking innovative startups and solutions in the digital health space to apply for Digital Sandbox KC and benefit from our support and resources. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to receive up to $20,000 in project funding to advance your cutting-edge digital health solution.

If you are working on breakthrough digital health technologies, we want to hear from you! This is your chance to showcase your work, connect with industry experts, and accelerate your growth. Apply to Digital Sandbox KC today and join the Digital Health KC network.

Missouri Technology Corporation announced applications for the April 2025 award cycle are now open. Through quarterly award cycles, MTC awarded nearly $9 million in 2024. MTC is seeking innovative, early-stage technology startups that are driving groundbreaking advancements. Missouri-based companies seeking investment should submit an application by Feb. 4, 2025, to receive an investment decision by the end of April.

- Proof of Concept Program: $25,000 - $50,000 investments for pre-seed rounds to help validate concepts, develop or launch an MVP.

- TechLaunch: investments up to $100K for companies raising $500K - $1M.

- Seed Capital: investments up to $500K for companies raising $1M - $5M.

- Venture Capital: investments up to $2M for companies raising $5M - $20M.

Have questions? To learn more about the programs and investment process, partners and applicant startups can attend the quarterly information session 11 a.m. CT Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Pre-registration is required for Zoom meeting details.

1. Apply for Winning Federal Research Grants: SBIR/STTR Workshop by Jan. 24: Get an introductory look at how to win Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research grants. Learn how to find, apply and create a strategies to gain funding for a growing technology business. This class meets 1-4 p.m. Jan. 28, 2025.

2. Apply for Tech Venture by Jan. 27: Designed specifically by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, this program is an intensive nine-session course designed to give technology- and science-based entrepreneurs a proven framework and network of connections to help grow a great idea into the next viable innovation. This class meets for nine weeks on Thursdays from 3-6 p.m starting Jan. 30, 2025.

3. Intro to the Tech Business Model Canvas runs from 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 6 via Zoom and will show technology startups how to build a business model canvas for their early concept. Register for this no cost webinar at https://missouri.ecenterdirect.com/events/25926.

– Are you interested in learning more about Digital Sandbox KC? You can book a meeting with the Sandbox team to learn more about the program.

– Want to receive personalized searches of new technologies and innovations available for licensing? Get in touch with Whiteboard 2 Boardroom to sign up.

– If you want to learn about early-stage deals or are seeking early-stage capital, learn more about CapitalMatch here.

– Do you know someone who wants to support local tech startups as a mentor, advisor or funder? We can help get them plugged in. Have them send us a note today.

A Lenexa-based tech company focused on accelerating skills for avid golfers hit a funding milestone this week, announcing a seed round meant to bridge the gap between on-course and off-course play through its innovative physical and digital solutions.

An initiative led by musician-turned-philanthropist Pharrell Williams to help close the opportunity and wealth gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs has selected Kansas City-based AskSAMIE for its latest cohort of funding, training and mentorship.

LaunchKC’s big reveal Tuesday was about more than checking a box — or getting hands on oversized checks — with grant competition winners taking the stage to introduce their companies to an eager community of supporters, entrepreneurs and investors.

Super Dispatch, the industry-leading automotive transportation management platform, announced the appointment of Matt Bradley as chief executive officer (CEO), taking the helm from former CEO Bek Abdullayev, who founded the company and will now be the executive chairman of the board of directors.