Principals of Block & Company, Inc., Realtors in Kansas City, MO award three area startups with grant money at UMKC's 2023 venture challenge

May 11, 2023

Block & Company, Inc., Realtors is proud to announce its annual sponsorship of the
Regnier Venture Creation Challenge (RVCC), hosted at the University of Missouri Kansas City's Bloch School of Management. The RVCC is a business plan and pitch competition for startups seeking funding to advance their businesses. Startup contestants from throughout the Midwest have the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of judges who rate each idea based on its practicality and future potential.

This year, the James and Rae Block KC Startup Awards Program contributed $32,500 to the first, second, and third place finalists. These financial contributions were made possible by David M. Block of Block & Company, Inc. and his sisters, Candace Block and Cynthia Kosoglad, who contributed $27,500, as well as $5,000 from Russ and Melony Cline of the RCA Group.

"The purpose of the James & Rae Block KC Startup Awards Program is to give entrepreneurs an opportunity to fulfill their dreams of starting a business. This award is in honor of my father, James, and my mother, Rae, who helped many people over the years follow their dreams of starting a new business," said David M. Block, President of Block & Company, Inc., Realtors.

Block & Company, Inc., Realtors would like to congratulate the James & Rae Block KC Startup Award winners for 2023:

1st Place | Nicole Staab and Rachel Blankenship, Rings of Care
Rings of Care KC is designed to help facilitate a community to encircle a person in need through education, guidance and a plan of care.
Ringsofcarekc.com



2nd Place | Dr. Shelley Cooper, Diversity Telehealth
Diversity Telehealth is a telemedicine consulting firm that designs and delivers secure, confidential healthcare, clinical resources and education from a distance.
Diversitytelehealth.com



3rd Place | Rodney McDuffie, Venboo
VenBoo is a phone application that helps you locate and book vendor opportunities to sell your products.
Myvenboo.com



Photos above by: Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

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About Block & Company, Inc., Realtors
Block & Company, Inc. Realtors is a full service commercial real estate company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri since its inception in 1946. The firm's services include brokerage, development, investment, asset/property management, tenant representation, and corporate real estate services. Our commercial brokerage specializes in restaurant, retail, automotive, hotel, industrial, office, shopping center/development, commercial investments, asset/property management, and many other real estate services. With transactions extending to 187 cities in 35 states, Block & Company manages millions of square feet of retail, restaurant, office, and industrial space. Block & Company is proud to be known as one of the Midwest's premier full service real estate organizations, consistently ranked among the industry leaders by trade magazines, local business publications, and our industry peers.