StartKC’s “StartFest” Draws More Than 200 Investors to Kansas City Entrepreneur Showcase

May 25, 2012 - PRLog -- It was an exciting night for entrepreneurship in Kansas City at “Spring StartFest” hosted by StartKC. During the event, ten promising start-ups in the area made their pitch to 200 investors and business leaders. Some entrepreneurs were seeking capital investments while others were more interested in aligning their new venture with established business leaders, but all of them were looking for the connections that could launch their business from idea to reality.

StartKC's vast network of local investors and business leaders and its reputation for finding the best start-up companies around is the secret behind StartFest’s success. “People know we’re going to introduce them to the best entrepreneurs in Kansas City,” said Seth Meinzen, founding partner of StartKC. At this year's Spring StartFest, ten of the more than 200 hopeful entrepreneurs currently participating in StartKC got the chance to showcase their businesses,  which range from an online sports video debating site to an environmentally friendly solution (airplane free) for sky banner advertising.

“I was impressed not only by the sheer number of investors and business leaders who were there, but also by how well the whole thing was done,” commented Mike Millay, a local business leader and first-time attendee. “You could tell from the energy in the room that the start-up guys were really on their game and the investors were into it.”

According to Meinzen, “one of the biggest challenges you face as an entrepreneur is meeting the people you need to succeed — especially mentors, coaches, and investors,” said Meinzen. “StartFest makes those connections happen.”

Founded in 2009, StartKC is the first localized business growth program in the Kansas City area to successfully integrate all the ingredients necessary to nurture and grow entrepreneurship in the area. The innovative system was developed by entrepreneurs frustrated by the difficulty of reaching the necessary resources to make their business succeed. The program not only guides entrepreneurs through the start-up process, it requires active participation from local business leaders, business resources and investors. For more information, visit www.startkc.com.

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