Sprint Accelerator hosts Demo Day at The National World War 1 Museum

After three months of strategic meetings with their corporate sponsors, mentor meetings, pitch practicing and business development sessions, seven startup companies will present their ideas today at the 2017 Sprint Accelerator Demo Day in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War 1 Museum in Kansas City.

The 2017 program began on April 3 with a new format for the fourth class at the Sprint Accelerator facility in the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City. This year, the program brought in corporate partners with specific strategic business needs and recruited startups with the vision to help address those needs.

The corporate partners for 2017 are Sprint, Pinsight Media and the Dairy Farmers of America. Together, the corporate partners and the startups in the program hope to bring innovations to market that will be transformational in two categories – digital and agricultural businesses.

“We made some big changes to our program for the fourth year to give participants even more access to experts than in the past,” said Doug Dresslaer, managing director of the Sprint Accelerator. “The goals and technologies of the startup companies in both verticals are very similar, and the corporate sponsors will bring more resources to the table to help these entrepreneurs grow. We expect the collaborations to be incredibly productive for both the startups and the corporations.”

“The ag tech teams for this year’s Accelerator have brought forth thought-provoking and game-changing ideas for the dairy industry,” said Kevin Strathman, senior vice president of finance for Dairy Farmers of America. “We have been so impressed with the program and process that we’re thrilled to announce that DFA is committing to sponsoring the ag tech segment for the 2018 Sprint Accelerator as well as a new segment focused on dairy products. With this new addition, our partnership with Sprint truly represents every facet of DFA’s business and our commitment to innovation from farm to table.”

Doors open for the Sprint Accelerator Demo Day at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, with presentations running from 9:30 a.m to 11:00 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended by visiting the following event site.

The 2017 Sprint Accelerator Class

About Sprint and its Support for Entrepreneurship:

Sprint has a strong history of working with startups in Silicon Valley, Kansas City and around the globe, helping young companies navigate the corporate world and build momentum behind their new businesses.

Sprint is committed to supporting the entrepreneurial movement across the country, delivering new business opportunities, and spurring the startup spirit within the company. In 2014, Sprint opened the award-winning Sprint Accelerator in Kansas City – home of the Corporate Accelerator.

The accelerator space is used to deliver year-round programming, including mentor engagement, STEM programs, entrepreneurial community collaboration, and community co-working space.