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LaunchKC Grants Competition

LaunchKC (Downtown Council and Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri)

$60,000 per winner

See if you qualify — free Visit official program ↗
The short version

$60,000 equity-free for early-stage startups willing to headquarter in Kansas City, Missouri for a year. The site shows no 2026 round yet.

The LaunchKC Grants Competition gives innovative early-stage startups a chance to secure $60,000 in equity-free funding; grant recipients share a $500,000 investment and LaunchKC takes no equity stake. Applicants come from across the country, but companies must headquarter in Kansas City, Missouri for at least one year. The cycle runs in three judged rounds. The site still shows the 2025 cycle (applications August 28 to September 24, 2025), and no 2026 window has been posted, so the status here is treated carefully.

Funding type
Grant
Level
Foundation
Amount range
$60,000
Realistic amount
$60,000 to each winner, from a $500,000 total pool.
Deadline
2026 cycle not announced (last posted: closed September 24, 2025)
Status
between-intakes
States
Nationwide

Who qualifies

What it covers

Eligible expenses

  • Startup funding (specific restrictions not published)

Ineligible expenses

  • See official program guidance

How to apply

  1. 1

    Watch for the next window

    The site is a year stale; the last window ran August 28 to September 24, 2025.

    ~0.2 hrs

  2. 2

    Apply online

    Questions not visible outside the window.

    ~6 hrs

  3. 3

    Judging rounds

    Three judged rounds.

    ~10 hrs

Insider tip

Check LaunchKC each August; the site is a year stale, so ask whether a 2026 cycle is planned before preparing.

Deadline & timing

The page still shows the 2025 cycle: "Online applications for our Y8 grants competition cohort will open on August 28th, 2025!" and "will close on September 24th, 2025!". No 2026 window is posted; the next window is expected around August to September, but that is unconfirmed.

Not accepting applications right now — get one email when it reopens

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Required documents

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Last updated October 17, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.