UMKC logo and Bloch logo
Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation logo

Regnier Venture Creation Challenge

Empowering every entrepreneur’s next step

At the Henry W. Bloch School of Management

Competition Opens: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 12 PM US CDT

Competition Deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2026, 11:59 PM US CDT

Venture Finalists Notified of Application Status: by Friday, April 10, 2026

In-Person Regnier Venture Creation Challenge Event: Friday, April 24th, 2026, at UMKC

The Regnier Venture Creation Challenge (RVCC) is a premier startup pitch competition for student and community founders ready to build real ventures. Open to degree-seeking students at accredited two- and four-year colleges in Missouri and neighboring states and Kansas City community members, RVCC supports for-profit and nonprofit ventures across industries including technology, health and wellness, consumer products and services, and creative and cultural fields.

The 2026 competition features $180,000 in total prizes, with top applicants invited to compete as semifinalists at the in-person event in April on the UMKC campus in Kansas City.

Designed to support innovation at the earliest stages, RVCC emphasizes practical entrepreneurship beyond the classroom. For more than a decade, the competition has helped early-stage founders launch and grow their ventures by providing meaningful feedback from experienced judges, exposure to mentors and entrepreneurial networks, and opportunities to sharpen ideas, pitches, and execution plans – because while the prize pool is large, RVCC’s real focus is helping every participant move their venture forward.

Founders’ Lab

In addition to semifinalists, RVCC invites select high-potential ventures to participate in a Founders’ Lab experience. This track is designed for student founders with promising ideas who would benefit from further refinement before advancing in a future RVCC.

Participants attend the in-person RVCC and engage in hands-on workshops, structured feedback, and peer learning alongside founders, mentors, and judges. The focus is on strengthening value propositions, customer insight, business models, and pitch readiness. Ventures in this track are eligible for dedicated development awards recognizing progress and potential.

Ventures in this track are eligible for dedicated development awards recognizing progress and potential.

Competition Tracks

College Startup – Focuses on scalable venture ideas, this pitch track is open to all degree-seeking students at a college or university located in Missouri and its bordering states.

The 2026 RVCC features four divisions. Applicants should select the division that best reflects their venture’s primary source of value (organizers may reassign ventures as needed).

  • Tech & Digital Innovation
    Technology-driven ventures where software, data, or digital systems are core to the solution (e.g., apps, AI, SaaS, platforms, fintech, edtech).
  • Health, Wellness, & Medical
    Ventures improving health, wellness, or healthcare delivery, including digital health, wellness products, assistive technologies, and community health solutions.
  • Products, Services, Retail, & Experiences
    Physical products, service-based businesses, retail concepts, or experience-driven ventures where technology is supportive, not central.
  • Creative, Arts, & Culture
    Ventures rooted in creative expression or cultural value, including art, design, media, fashion, music, film, publishing, and creative platforms.
Apply here!

James and Rae Block Kansas City Startup Awards

Focuses on entrepreneurship of a scalable venture and innovation in the Kansas City region. This track is open to non-student founders.

Apply here!

All ventures must be early-stage and may be for-profit or nonprofit.

Past Regnier Venture Creation Challenge Winners

College Startup Awards
  1. Coi Nguon Coffeehouse
  2. No-Sparc
  3. AuraPatch
Social Entrepreneurship Awards
  1. EDUrain
  2. City Haven
  3. Brain Battle
James & Rae Block KC Startup Awards
  1. Amir’acle Body Butters and More
  2. CRWND Illustrations
  3. ULOM
College Startup Awards
  1. MedCurate
  2. Brace Cap
  3. Office Genie
Social Entrepreneurship Awards
  1. Advoteck
  2. FESTOON
  3. TrashTroopers
James & Rae Block KC Startup Awards
  1. Remodel Relief
  2. AskSAMIE
  3. MDMatchUp
College Startup Awards
  1. ChiChi
  2. King of the Curve
  3. Xotu
BlueKC Healthcare Innovation Awards
  1. Foliagraft
  2. InforMedic
James & Rae Block KC Startup Awards
  1. Rings of Care KC
  2. Come on Now
  3. Venboo
College Startup Awards
  1. Farm Story Meats
  2. Crib Coaching
  3. ALLTER
BlueKC Healthcare Innovation Awards
  1. SpeakIT
  2. MiDoc
James & Rae Block KC Startup Awards
  1. Cafe Ca Phe
  2. SeeInMe
College Startup Awards
  1. Splitsy
  2. Woodie Goodies
  3. Relay Trade
BlueKC Healthcare Innovation Awards
  1. CartilaGen
  2. RollOut
James & Rae Block Community Business Award
  1. Kufukaa
College Startup Awards
  1. Calving Technologies
  2. Chordaworm
  3. Interplay
BlueKC Healthcare Innovation Awards
  1. WartPatch
  2. Flyover Counseling
  3. Norah Health
College Startup Awards
  1. Air Traffic Awareness
  2. Blockchain Water
  3. Delta Tech
  4. Spatial Insights
BlueKC Healthcare Innovation Awards
  1. DeepLens
  2. Bionic Bowel
College Startup Awards
  1. Healthy Hip Hop
  2. Nature’s Finest Produce
  3. Family Partners Support Services
  4. Boddle
BlueKC Healthcare Innovation Awards
  1. Bodyguard ID
  2. Exodus Biosciences