The oversized novelty checks are piling up at H3 Enterprises’ headquarters in the Crossroads. Founder Roy Scott secured another $20,000 in prize money Friday, winning top honors in the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge.
Photo by Brandon Parigo
“We are continuing to grow and preparing to launch our new technology in schools across the country,” he said in social media posts announcing the award.
Scott thanked the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Henry W. Bloch School of Management and the Regnier Institute for believing in the mission of Healthy Hip Hop. It’s the latest recognition for Scott’s scalable education-focused startup concept.
Combining music and fitness with engaging live-action and digital content, H3 won $50,000 in September through LaunchKC, followed by $25,000 in Lean Lab’s Launch[ED] Day pitch event in November. It also has been supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac program, as well as Digital Sandbox KC.
ICYMI @RoyScottBoycott and @Healthy_Hip_Hop took home the 1st place award (and $20k) at the #RVCC2018! Way to go Roy and H3! pic.twitter.com/aChyt2tpvG
— Jeff Shackelford (@TheSandboxKC) May 7, 2018
Forty-one ventures vied for the grand prize with a total of $75,000 awarded. The challenge was open to university students in Missouri and Kansas and current Bloch School Entrepreneurship Scholars.
“This competition is a great opportunity for students and entrepreneurs to gain experience, develop mentoring relationships, and gain validation for their entrepreneurial ideas through competition with other ideas,” said Jeff Hornsby, director of the Regnier Institute, in a press release. “This competition is one of the big reasons why Kansas City is gaining national recognition for its strong entrepreneurship ecosystem.
In addition to H3 Enterprises, finalists included:
- Second place ($10,000) – Nature’s Finest Produce, LLC
- Third place ($5,000) – Family Partners Support Services, LLC
- Fourth Place ($2,500) – Boddle
Other challenge awards included:
Blue KC Healthcare Innovation Prize
- First place ($15,000) – Bodyguard ID
- Second place ($10,000) – Exodus Biosciences
Specialty Awards
- Outstanding Undergraduate Business Plan ($2,500): Lean Start Lab
- Outstanding Undergraduate Business Plan ($2,500): Lean Start Lab
- Social Impact ($2,500): Open Spaces
Best Pitch ($2,000): Changing Habits, Diabetes Prevention Center
