{"id":172379,"date":"2025-11-19T07:51:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T07:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/meet-launchkcs-winners-60k-prize-today-world-headquarters-in-kc-tomorrow-startland-news\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T07:51:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T07:51:11","slug":"meet-launchkcs-winners-60k-prize-today-world-headquarters-in-kc-tomorrow-startland-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/meet-launchkcs-winners-60k-prize-today-world-headquarters-in-kc-tomorrow-startland-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet LaunchKC\u2019s winners: $60K prize today; world headquarters in KC tomorrow – Startland News"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026 LaunchKC winners; photo by Mark McDonald, courtesy of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri
E<\/span>very iconic company headquartered in Kansas City \u2014 from Helzberg Diamonds to Hallmark \u2014 started with an entrepreneur hoping to scale a small idea into big impact, said Jim Erickson, teasing a next wave of emerging startups and the latest winners of the LaunchKC grants competition.<\/span>
Jim Erickson, EDCKC, introduces the 2026 LaunchKC cohort at J. Rieger & Co.; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Eight early-stage companies were announced Monday as recipients of LaunchKC\u2019s $60,000 non-dilutive grants, downtown office space, and access to expert programming and mentorship through the <\/span>Downtown Council<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC).<\/span><\/a>
The region expects a return on the investment, said Erickson, director of strategic initiatives at EDCKC and a core organizer of the program, pointing to the success of previous cohorts.<\/span>
\u201cLaunchKC companies have already done amazing things in this city, growing 1,640 new jobs to Kansas City, Missouri, and attracting around $650 million of investment so far,\u201d he said, adding that the latest winners could become major job creators and supply future headquarters for the region.<\/span>
Sarah Hermes gives the pitch for her company, Valor, during the LaunchKC Liftoff event at J. Rieger & Co.; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
The program\u2019s powerful mix of support, resources, and community have already impressed Sarah Hermes, founder of <\/span>Valor<\/span><\/a>, one the new cohort members.<\/span>
\u201cIt is an incredible opportunity to tap into the resources of Kansas City and the digital health ecosystem here,\u201d she said, \u201cand I have been really blown away and honored by the support and financial resources that are available.\u201d<\/span>
Monday\u2019s announcement came on the first night of Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City during a LaunchKC Liftoff event at J. Rieger & Co. distillery.<\/span>
Among those taking the stage to introduce their startup to Kansas City: Cole Robertson and Warren Wang, co-founders of <\/span>dScribe AI,<\/span><\/a> which uses computer vision to monitor bulk materials.<\/span>
The duo said the experience already feels like a turning point for their company.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cIt\u2019s been incredible. I\u2019ve loved being able to have entrepreneurs in Kansas City come together, and having the grant and office space has just been fantastic,\u201d said Robertson.<\/span>
The team is preparing a pilot with the food corporation <\/span>Cargill<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cWe are hoping to give them as much value as possible and really help their operations,\u201d said Wang. \u201cRight now that is the focus, along with continuing to talk to customers and build products.\u201d<\/span>
LaunchKC 2026 winners \u2014 culled from more than 100 applicants from across the country \u2014 include:<\/strong>
Warren Wang and Cole Robertson, dScribe AI; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
dScribe AI,<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>Warren Wang<\/b><\/a> and <\/b>Cole Robertson<\/b><\/a>)<\/b>, Kansas City, Missouri<\/span><\/span>
Uses AI-powered computer vision to track bulk materials in real time, giving industrial teams better visibility and control over logistics and operations.<\/span>
Sarah Hermes, Valor; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Valor<\/b><\/a>, (<\/b>Sarah Hermes<\/b><\/a>)<\/b>, Kansas City, Missouri<\/span><\/span>
The digital health startup blends AI-guided cancer care navigation with support from human specialists, helping families manage the overwhelming tasks that take place outside of the hospital.\u00a0<\/span>
Sarah Hermes\u2019 personal experience as a caregiver drives the work she does today.<\/span>
\u201cFor every hour that I spent sorting through papers and Googling to find resources, was one less hour that I got to spend with my mom. Our mission at Valor is to change this,\u201d she said.<\/span>
Usman Wajid, Block and Mortar; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Block and Mortar<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>Usman Wajid<\/b><\/a>)<\/b>, Kansas City, Missouri<\/span><\/span>
Streamlining real estate development with AI, real-time data, and connected teams <\/span>Block and Mortar is an intelligent operating system helping developers, contractors, insurers, and financial partners connect on major real estate projects.\u00a0<\/span>
The platform reduces delays, unlocks faster decision-making, and gives teams visibility across every phase of construction.<\/span>
\u201c\u200b\u200bBlock and Mortar is an AI driven real estate development platform with the simple goal of automating some of those tasks, helping you get better insight on your data and getting you better collaboration,\u201d said Usman Wajid.<\/span>
Sean Ward, Cyphra Autonomy; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Cyphra Autonomy<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>Sean Ward<\/b><\/a>)<\/b>, Kansas City, Missouri<\/span><\/span>
Cyphra Autonomy is building the future of outdoor material handling with robotic hauling systems that are field-ready in minutes. Its flagship robot, PAL, moves materials on construction sites automatically,\u00a0 reducing physical strain and letting skilled labor stay focused on high-value tasks.<\/span>
\u201cPAL is a robotic construction hauler that’s easy to operate and deployable within minutes, labor can stay put and material comes to them automatically,\u201d said Ward.<\/span>
Jonathan Gregory, EZBizPortal; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
EZBizPortal<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>Jonathan Gregory<\/b><\/a>)<\/b>, Kansas City, Missouri<\/span><\/span>
EZBizPortal unifies hospitals, vendors, and manufacturers on a single platform that modernizes medical device management, an industry still dominated by outdated, fragmented systems.\u00a0<\/span>
Their AI-driven solution brings accuracy, traceability, and real-time analytics to equipment that keeps patients alive.\u00a0<\/span>
Its founder underscored the urgency for the platform.<\/span>
\u201cJust a couple of weeks ago, I was lying in a hospital bed fighting for my very life, and realized again just how critical this invisible yet essential work really is,\u201d Jonathan Gregory said.<\/span>
Bing Low and Zik Nwanganga, ULOM; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
ULOM<\/b><\/a>, (<\/b>Zik Nwanganga<\/b><\/a> and <\/b>Bing Low<\/b><\/a>),<\/b> Kansas City, Missouri<\/span><\/span>
ULOM strengthens the trades workforce by connecting employers with motivated and capable workers, including refugees, immigrants, and young people who often lack access to traditional hiring pathways. The platform trains, certifies, and matches candidates through an AI-driven system.<\/span>
Co-founder Zik Nwanganga explained the gap that he sees in the workforce.<\/span>
\u201cYoung people who are interested in trades, have no access to the networks, language access, and let’s be honest, no one likes job fairs. Our system uses AI to match skilled workers with employers willing to hire them today.\u201d<\/span>
Dr. Brandy Archie, Ask Samie; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Ask Samie<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>Dr. Brandy Archie<\/b><\/a>),<\/b> Kansas City, Missouri<\/span><\/span>
Ask Samie helps older adults and people with disabilities live independently by connecting them with occupational-therapy-approved home modifications and adaptive equipment, all paired with expert guidance.<\/span>
Dr. Archie captured the universal need.<\/span>
\u201cEvery single one of you in this room is either going to be a caregiver or need one,\u201d the founder said. \u201cSo why not plug into an ecosystem that gives you access to a nationwide network of occupational therapists?\u201d<\/span>
Meg Dieter, Whimsi Beans; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Whimsi Beans, (<\/b>Meg Dieter<\/b><\/a>),<\/b> Overland Park, Kansas<\/span><\/span>
Whimsi Beans is reinventing children\u2019s nutrition for families managing sensory challenges, autism, or picky eating. Its first product is a nutrient-packed, sensory-friendly vitamin that blends seamlessly into everyday foods, turning daily routines into positive moments for kids and caregivers.<\/span>
\u201cMy story starts with our oldest daughter, Chloe, who was diagnosed with autism and we know firsthand how frustrating it can be when parents know their kids aren’t getting the nutrition they need to thrive,\u201d said Meg Dieter.<\/span>
1475 Walnut St.
Kansas City, MO 64106
news@startlandnews.com<\/a>
\u00a9 Copyright 2025 – Startland News<\/p>\n

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2026 LaunchKC winners; photo by Mark McDonald, courtesy of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, MissouriEvery iconic company headquartered in Kansas City \u2014 from Helzberg Diamonds to Hallmark \u2014 started with an entrepreneur hoping to scale a small idea into big impact, said Jim Erickson, teasing a next wave of emerging startups and the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":172380,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-172379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172379"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172379\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172380"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}