The 2023 Regnier Venture Creation Challenge, an annual business plan and pitch competition hosted by University of Missouri – Kansas City, will award up to $90,000 in funding to student entrepreneurs and Kansas City small business owners later this month.

This year’s competition is broken down into three tracks — two for students and one for the Kansas City community.

The semifinalist presentations are 10-11 a.m. Friday, April 21 via Zoom. The teams selected as finalists will be announced at noon. Click here to register for the semifinalist event.

The finalist presentations are 1-3 p.m. in-person on Friday, April 28, followed by an awards ceremony and networking at the UMKC Bloch Executive Hall.

Here is the roster of this year’s semifinalists:

James and Rae Block Kansas City Startup Track

Open to early-stage businesses with annual revenue between zero to $250,000 operating in the Kansas City MARC Region. None of the founding team (equity holders/owners) can be current degree-seeking college students.

· Come on Now Inc.

· Rings of Care KC Inc.

· The Scented Webb

· Venboo

· Vetelligence

· YouSpin Anywhere

Regnier College Startup Track

Open to students (undergraduate, graduate, PhD) enrolled at a university or college in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska or Kansas.

· Beacon (University of Nebraska – Lincoln)

· ChiChi (Washington University in St. Louis)

· Kansas City Nectar: Meadery and Tabletop Lounge (University of Missouri – Kansas City)

· King of the Curve (Washington University in St. Louis)

· NutriCubes (Iowa State University)

· Pool (Washington University in St. Louis)

· ReadEase (University of Missouri – Kansas City)

· Solutoy (University of Missouri – Columbia)

· Vi Sinh Xinh (Iowa State University)

· PINAROMA LLC (University of Missouri – Kansas City)

· Xotu Jewelry (University of Missouri – Kansas City)

· YHARI (University of Missouri – Kansas City)

Blue KC Healthcare Innovation Track

Open to healthcare related ventures started by degree-seeking college students (undergraduate, graduate, Ph.D.) from any area of study enrolled at a university or college in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska or Kansas.

· Bio-Plaid (Missouri University of Science and Technology)

· Concierge Care Pediatrics LLC (University of Missouri – Kansas City)

· Foliagraft (Missouri University of Science and Technology)

· InforMedic, Inc. (University of Nebraska – Lincoln)

· Niura (Washington University at St Louis)

· Pneumo-Sense (Missouri University of Science and Technology)

· Quadricep Graft Harvesting Device (University of Kansas)

· Teal Phoenix LLC (University of Northern Iowa)

Photo of 2022 winners courtesy of Regnier Venture Creation Challenge.