Six Kansas-based startups awarded grant funding from JumpStart Kansas
Monday, April 10, 2017
MANHATTAN — A program created to assist in the development of new ideas or grow Kansas-based goods-producing businesses has selected six startups to receive a financial boost.
JumpStart Kansas Entrepreneurs, a collaboration between the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas State University's Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and Advanced Manufacturing Institute, recently distributed $90,000 in grant funding across the Kansas-based startups.
"We couldn't be more excited with the interest that has sprung up from across the state for JumpStart Kansas Entrepreneurs," said Stan Ahlerich, executive director of workforce and innovation at the Kansas Department of Commerce. "The energy from our university partners and the willingness to be innovative in finding potential companies has given this program life."
JumpStart Kansas Entrepreneurs was open to all Kansas-based individuals or companies. Seventy-four applications were submitted from across the state. They came from a wide range of industries, including agriculture, health care, manufacturing, retail products and technology.
"The ability of our university partners to energize businesses in Kansas, from emerging startups to established businesses, will give many companies the opportunities they need," Ahlerich said. "The Department of Commerce is proud to host this program with our partners to ensure we are giving Kansas businesses the best possible chances to succeed."
The award funding can be used toward expenses such as business planning, engineering support, prototyping, market assessments, creation of marketing/sales materials or other activities that would assist in adding value to the business.
The following startups were selected to receive grant money:
• Benchmark Exteriors and Insulation, Jamestown, which provides building exterior and insulation solutions to home and business owners.
• Integrated Animal Health LLC, Lawrence, which provides innovative solutions for animal health, feeding and care.
• Radiation Detection Technologies Inc., Manhattan, which commercializes novel radiation detectors that are developed in the Kansas State University Semiconductor Materials and Radiological Technologies, or SMART, Laboratory.
• AEGLE Palette LLC, Shawnee, a smart placemat that accurately tracks a user's meal nutrition.
• PreScreend, Shawnee, an online background check solution for both large and small businesses.
• FreeState Healthcare, Wichita, a multi-specialty medical practice, formerly known as Vigilias, providing care to rural areas via innovative and cost-effective telemedicine technology.
