Keystone Sessions // Aug 3rd

800 East 18th Street,Kansas City MO 64108

03 August, 2022

Description

5-6pm: LaunchKC Grants Competition The LaunchKC Grants Competition is BACK. After a four year hiatus, EDCKC and Downtown Council's LaunchKC is seeking early-stage tech start-ups to apply for a $50,000 grant. Eight companies will be announced as winners in October. The session will cover all the details about the competition as well as touch on the future of LaunchKC. Jim Erickson, EDCKC, Director of Strategic Initiatives Tommy Wilson, Downtown Council, Business Development Becca Castro, EDCKC, Strategic Initiatives 6-7pm: Kansas City—The Heart of the Culture This discussion centers around Kansas City’s history as a leader in arts and entertainment, opportunities to build Kansas City through T.E.A.M. Technology, Entertainment, Art & Marketing, some of the gaps in diversity and rebranding Kansas City as a Tech and Arts powerhouse. Speakers: Ken Lumpkins - Creative Director & Marketing Strategist @ Blue Symphony and Founder of ASX Fest Moderator: Kevin McGinnis 7-8pm: VFA Venture Chats: Helping Diverse Founders Succeed This Session will be led by Craig Moore, Founder and CEO of BXKC and City Director for Venture For America. He will be joined by Nassir Criss, a Venture Capitalist with Sixty8 Capital - a firm dedicated to investing in Black, Brown, LGBTQ+, and other diverse founders across the Midwest. Join us as we discuss Entrepreneurship, Tech, Investing, and everything needed to solidify Kansas City as a major tech hub in the region. Speakers: Nassir Criss, VFA 2021 Fellow & Associate at Sixty8 Capital Moderator: Craig Moore