UMKC wins $1M grant designed to spur IT start-ups

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City area will benefit from a $1 million federal grant designed to encourage the development of businesses related to information technology.

The U.S. Department of Commerce says the money will go to a regional collaboration led by the Innovation Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Grant recipients use the money to create and expand what are known as proof of concept centers, where technology can be developed further and markets can be studied. The centers also can provide seed funding and expert support.

The goal is to spur sustainable startups and spark job creation.