UMKC Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

05/11/2026

05/08/2026

Congratulations to Our Community Entrepreneurship Program Graduates

We are excited to congratulate the graduates of the Community Entrepreneurship Program.

This celebration marked the completion of an important milestone and recognized the dedication, growth, and entrepreneurial spirit of each participant. We are grateful to everyone who joined us in supporting and celebrating our graduates.

Thank you to our graduates, families, mentors, and community members for making this program and celebration such a success.

We look forward to seeing the continued impact these entrepreneurs will make in our community.

05/07/2026

Congratulations to all of the winners, participants, and entrepreneurs who made this semester at the Regnier Institute such a success!

This semester was filled with incredible ideas, inspiring pitches, and meaningful connections through our events, competitions, and entrepreneurial programs. We are proud of every student and community founder who stepped up to share their vision and take the next step in building their venture.

Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, mentored, supported, and helped make this semester memorable. Your passion and innovation continue to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit at UMKC and throughout Kansas City.

04/30/2026

First Tuesday Founder Series – RVA Demo Day

We invite our Kansas City community, students, and entrepreneurs to join us for Regnier Venture Accelerator Demo Day: Founder Pitches Live , the last First Tuesday event of the spring semester.

This event features eight RVA students presenting their ventures to a panel of judges. It is a great opportunity to see how student founders develop ideas, build businesses, and share their ideas.

Event Details

Date: December 9, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Bloch Executive Hall 218, UMKC

Credits Available

FSE Credit
Launchpad Credit

Join us to close out the semester and support student innovation.

04/14/2026

The Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is so excited to host the inaugural Bloch Talks event at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City on April 23rd, 2026, at 7 PM.



Join us for an evening of entrepreneurial insight, storytelling, and bold ideas from the following speakers:

Andrew Clark, Sonos
Bryan Shannon, TreviPay
Emily Brown, Attane Health
Tiffany Meesha Thompson, Petrichor projects
Wendy Doyle, United WE


Event Details:
Thursday, April 23, 2026
7:00 PM – Registration | 7:30 PM – Program
Learn more, and tickets are available BlochTalks.com

Students: Free (Promo Code: RooUp)
Alumni & Community: $15
Free parking available in the museum garage

04/01/2026

First Tuesday Founder Series – April 7

We invite you to join us for an engaging session with Dr. Ashley McClellan, Founder and CEO of MedCurate.

Dr. McClellan brings more than 18 years of experience in healthcare leadership, having served as CEO and COO across multiple major organizations. She previously led The Woman’s Hospital of Texas and Research Medical Center.

In 2023, she launched MedCurate, a digital marketplace designed to improve how healthcare staffing works by connecting providers and organizations more effectively.

In addition to her professional work, she serves on several boards and teaches in a healthcare leadership program.

Event Details:
Date: April 7, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Bloch Executive Hall 218, UMKC
Cost: Free

Credits Available:
FSE Credit
Launchpad Credit

This event is open to students and the community.

02/25/2026

Five competition tracks. One goal: empowering every entrepreneur’s next step. Applications are officially open for the 2026 Regnier Venture Creation Challenge and Summit! Turn ideas into action and compete for funding that accelerates your personal and professional growth.

In addition to student competition tracks, the James and Rae Block Kansas City Startup Awards welcomes non‑student founders leading scalable ventures in the Kansas City region. All ventures must be early‑stage and may be for‑profit or nonprofit.

02/24/2026

🚀 First Tuesday Founder Series – March Edition

Join us on Tuesday, March 3 at 4:00 PM in Bloch Executive Hall 218 (UMKC) for an incredible conversation with Russ Cline, Founder & CEO of RCA Group.

With more than 45 years of experience in global sports and entertainment marketing, Russ has helped shape the modern sports landscape. He:

• Co-founded the National Lacrosse League
• Co-founded the X Games with ESPN
• Worked with organizations including the NFL, MLB, NCAA, Formula One, USTA, and more
• Produced the Victory Tour starring Michael Jackson
• Organized Kansas City’s 150th Anniversary celebration
• Previously worked with the Kansas City Chiefs (1974–1984)

RCA Group continues to support major properties like the College Football Playoff and X Games while consulting with leading brands worldwide.

This is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand how global sports properties are built, marketed, and sustained.

📅 Tuesday, March 3
⏰ 4:00 PM
📍 BEH 218, UMKC
🎟️ Free FSE & Launchpad credit

02/12/2026

We invite our Kansas City entrepreneurs to showcase your venture and compete for non-dilutive startup funding through the James & Rae Block Kansas City Startup Awards, part of the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge (RVCC).

With $180,000 in total prizes, RVCC supports early-stage founders across industries — from tech and health to retail, services, and creative ventures.

📌 Who should apply?
Early-stage for-profit or nonprofit founders in the Kansas City region with cumulative lifetime sales under $250,000.

🗓 Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
🎤 Live Pitch Event: April 24, 2026
📍 UMKC | Kansas City, MO

Learn more and apply here:
https://info.umkc.edu/regnier/regnier-venture-creation-challenge/