Emerging at Pure Pitch Rally: These 8 young startups hope to close a critical funding gap 

Eight emerging tech startups are rallying for the Pure Pitch stage as one of Kansas City’s premiere pitch competitions approaches a decade of impact and innovation.

“This is the ultimate affinity and legacy club that grows businesses in Kansas City,” said Karen Fenaroli, presenting sponsor and founder of the Pure Pitch Rally, which returns Monday for its ninth annual nondilutive spot-cash funding pitch event.

Each year, a pool of “land sharks” gathers for the competition, individually armed with at least one $1,000 check to award to one of eight startup pitchers of their choosing. About 100 sharks — a “who’s who” of the Kansas City civic, tech, philanthropy and business scenes, Fenaroli said — are expected Monday at the invite-only event.

“It takes a village, and there is none greater than the one supporting the Pure Pitch Rally,” Fenaroli continued, noting the event’s impact doesn’t end with the sharks’ check giving. “It’s incredible to think that we’ve collectively been able to elevate 72 startups through this Rally and transform what entrepreneurial support looks like through our land shark mentorship, sponsor bootcamp curriculum and generous funding.”

Among the contenders who plan to pitch their Kansas City startups:

• DeskSides, Blish Connor and Allison Hogan — A PR tech marketplace that connects brands and top-tier journalists to streamline their processes and facilitate press coverage for a fraction of the cost. 

• Icorium Engineering Company, Kalin Baca — Through sustainable engineering, advanced modeling and real-time analysis, Icorium is developing novel separation technologies to enable truly circular supply chains for refrigerants and other high-GWP materials that are critically important, but difficult to recycle. 

• Partydip, Angela Hein — An AI-driven marketplace that simplifies party planning, giving families more time to enjoy the special moments together while empowering small businesses in individual communities.

• PropFix, Marcelle Clements — An all-in-one software solution designed to simplify project scoping, estimation and management, allowing property investors focused on renovating and flipping residential and commercial properties to do so with transparency, simplicity and accuracy from any location. 

• Roz, Donnie Hampton and Sarah Hampton — Automates the core tasks needed for audits, due diligence and security certifications, helping businesses ranging from startups to large enterprises simplify compliance management. 

• Scout, Gonzalo Erdozain — A web-based application designed to alleviate veterinary burnout by replacing outdated, inefficient paper forms for dental charting and anesthesia management with streamlined processes, improved safety and enhanced patient care. 

• SpacePlace, Tim Bergerhofer — An augmented reality app that allows users to leave digital tags in their homes, attached to objects and spaces, so essential information like instructions, warranties and reminders are right where they need them — when they need them. 

• ULOM, Zik Nwanganga — An all-in-one resource and community platform that partners with local organizations to connect refugees, international students and new immigrants with opportunities that align with their skills and ambitions, making it easier to navigate their new environment.

The Pure Pitch Rally will be accessible to the public via livestream 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, allowing both the virtual audience and those on-site at the Burns & McDonnell Global Headquarters Auditorium to vote for a People’s Choice winner who will receive a $2,500 cash prize. Viewers and attendees can also expect a few surprises and prizes along the way, Fenaroli said.

Karen Fenaroli, presenting sponsor and founder of the Pure Pitch Rally, right, announces a winning startup alongside a Kansas City high school student during the 2023 Pure Pitch Rally; Startland News photo

In addition to the land sharks, students from local high school entrepreneurship programs will be on hand to award multiple $1,000 checks to the pitchers of their choice thanks to an ecosystem of generous donors and supporters from across the Kansas City community. These high schoolers will also be invited to join a larger group of students participating in the Reverse Pitch bootcamp in Spring 2025, an interactive real-world exercise in startup problem-solving.

Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw and the entire Kansas City, Missouri, City Council recently proclaimed Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, as Pure Pitch Rally Day in the City.

“Each year, I hear from our startups, sponsors, land sharks and supporters that the Pure Pitch Rally is their favorite day of the year. We’re thrilled that the City of Kansas City, Missouri, is honoring the work our ecosystem puts in to drive entrepreneurism, job creation, customer satisfaction and community success throughout the metro and beyond,” said Fenaroli.

ICYMI: Check out winners from the 2023 Pure Pitch Rally event.

Pure Pitch Rally is championed by presenting sponsors that include Burns & McDonnell, Circle Sideways, Fenaroli & Associates, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Forvis Mazars, nbkc bank and Polsinelli. Also sponsoring the event are Insperity, Lathrop GPM, Morningstar Communications and Plexpod.

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