Pitch prize puts founders closer to building their utopia; How KCMO is backing entrepreneurs who do the right thing
Summary
It felt like a pat on the back for a work that needs to happen.Five finalist businesses pitched Thursday in the Do The Right Thing competition, which was organized by the KC BizCare Office, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, and Startland News. Two $5,000 awards were also given for the Startland News Readers Choice and KC Small Business Capital Programs Advisory Committees Choice.ICYMI: Utopia Point extends beacon of light to those left in the shadows, in need of careIts overwhelming and super exciting, McCreary said of earning the support of most of the judges. The startup aims to demolish barriers for minorities and young people securing equal employment opportunities within predominantly white- and male-dominated trades.Running a business is overwhelming, in general, but to be making a social impact, intentionally, and working in difficult spaces like all these other finalists just adds another layer of complexity, Williams said. Anyone who has worked through that process, knows how difficult that process is.Keep reading for more about the winning finalists, along with a photo gallery from the Do The Right Thing pitch competition.The mission: to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment for seniors and adults with disabilities dedicated to promoting health and wellness while enhancing quality of life.The for-profit general contracting company for residential and commercial construction prioritizes affordability when it comes to their builds that are solely for low-income individuals and also partners with Emerging Builders, which provides not only on-the-job construction training for women and minorities, but also educational opportunities, support, and resources for at-risk youth.Recognizing the limitations of standardized testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Stephen Himes and Franci Erdmann founded Storyboards in 2020 to guide students through completing their application portfolios in a broader approach that focuses on student development beyond academic metrics.Founded by Mike Rollen as a tribute to his grandmother, Ophelia, the farm in the heart of Kansas Citys historic Vine Street expresses a mission to reconnect people with the fresh, wholesome food he grew up eating during summers in St. Louis. At a market from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Ophelias sells such fruits as peaches and watermelons, vegetables like okra and tomatoes, and herbs like apple mint for tea.Were giving people the experience to know what real food tastes like, he told the judges.The startup launched in 2015 by Jonathan Ruiz and co-founder Brendan Waters uses mobile apps, proximity-based sensors and wearable Bluetooth devices to create real-time location, reporting, and alerting systems and has been used at the NFL Draft and Super Bowl parades in Kansas City, as well as the Chicago Marathon and CES conference in Las Vegas.What I really want to drive home today is this is more than just a marketing or messaging platform, he shared with the judges.