Kansas City's Most Innovative Companies Of 2026
Who's helping to add to KC's momentum as a leading tech hub?
In the lead up to Hack Midwest (KC's largest coding competition on Oct 10-11 with 350+ software engineers & $10000 up for grabs)....
...we're giving well deserved recognition to the KC companies who are participating in this important challenge.
By doing so, they are helping to cultivate a culture of innovation in this city...as well as the region.
That's why we're extremely excited to announce our list of Kansas City's Most Innovative Companies for 2026.
Flex is the AI-native private banking platform for high-net-worth business owners in the middle market globally, built around five pillars: private credit, a business-finance stack, a personal-finance stack, payments, and an agentic back office finance operating system built for middle-market companies. Today the platform brings together credit, banking, payment processing, bill pay, expense management, treasury, and enterprise finance AI agents including Beacon AI. Over time, Flex plans to expand its global banking, personal credit and rewards cards, treasury, travel, and mortgage offerings.
SAIC is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
Ascend Learning products - from testing to certification, are used by frontline healthcare workers, physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, certified personal trainers, group fitness instructors, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.
Spring Venture Group is a leading digital direct-to-consumer sales and marketing company with product offerings focused on the senior market. They specialize in distributing Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and related products via their family of brands and dedicated team of licensed insurance agents. Powered by their unique technologies that combine sophisticated marketing, comparison shopping, sales execution, and customer engagement – they help thousands of seniors across the country navigate the complex world of Medicare every day.
The USDA is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities and end hunger in the United States and abroad.
The TENEX.ai is the leader in agentic‑native, human‑led security operations and a next‑generation MDR provider built by operators who have scaled MDR before, with founding engineers from Google Chronicle and leading AI labs. TENEX serves enterprise customers across the Google and Microsoft security ecosystems. TENEX’s AI‑native, human‑led agentic SOC platform autonomously triages, investigates, hunts, and responds to threats — with elite human analysts always in the loop — combining the speed and scale of AI with the accountability of human‑led security operations.
SS&C is a global provider of services and software for the financial services and healthcare industries. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut, we have offices around the world. Some 18,000 financial services and healthcare organizations, from the world's largest companies to small and mid-market firms, rely on SS&C for expertise, scale and technology. If you have a desire to work for one of the fastest growing global companies where you are encouraged to innovate and make a difference, we have amazing career opportunities for you!
Jack Henry (NASDAQ: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. An S&P 500 company, Jack Henry prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For more than 45 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders.
BlueScope is a global leader in metal coating and painting products for building and construction industries, providing vital components for houses, buildings, structures, vehicles and more.
We have built a solid foundation for growth with a diverse portfolio of businesses in some of the largest and fastest growing economies of the world. We are headquartered in Australia, with our people and operations spread across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and throughout Asia.
Founded in 1985, SelectQuote (NYSE: SLQT) pioneered the model of providing unbiased comparisons from multiple, highly-rated insurance companies, allowing consumers to choose the policy and terms that best meet their unique needs. Two foundational pillars underpin SelectQuote’s success: a strong force of highly-trained and skilled agents who provide a consultative needs analysis for every consumer, and proprietary technology that sources and routes high-quality leads. Today, the Company operates an ecosystem offering high touchpoints for consumers across insurance, pharmacy, and virtual care.
Working from more than 75 offices around the world, Burns & McDonnell designs and builds critical infrastructure. Our family of companies — driven by engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists — delivers projects grounded in safety and a desire to make a difference as we make our clients successful. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories.
Kiewit is one of North America’s largest and most respected construction and engineering organizations. With its roots dating back to 1884, the employee-owned company operates through a network of offices and projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Kiewit offers construction and engineering services in a variety of markets including transportation, water/wastewater, power, oil, gas and chemical, building and mining. Kiewit had 2020 revenues of $12.5 billion and employs more than 27,000 staff and craft employees.
benefitbay™ is an end-to-end ICHRA administration platform for brokers and their clients, providing a full-service technology suite for simplified employee benefits. The company's platform is designed to make it easy for brokers to manage and administer ICHRA plans, while also providing employees with a streamlined and personalized benefits experience. benefitbay™'s individual-focused approach sets them apart from traditional employer-focused healthcare models, and their commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has made them a leader in the ICHRA space.
VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP)
Mylo is amplifying insurance solutions to protect what matters. Through its proprietary Mind of Mylo™ predictive AI engine, the insurtech leader connects individuals and business owners with top-rated insurance products from 100+ carriers, across business, auto, home and more. A growing ecosystem of 60+ channel partners embed the Mylo platform. Mylo is headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, and backed by Group 1001, the global investor with a powerful commitment to technology-driven insurance transformation. Mylo has been honored by CNBC’s World’s Top Insurtech Companies, Fintech Global’s InsurTech100, Forbes’ America’s Best Startup Employers and more.
Founded in 2016 by industry veterans in medical coding, revenue cycle management, and enterprise SaaS, Reasint is on a mission to revolutionize medical coding technology. Reasint’s AI-driven platform, ARNI, empowers healthcare businesses to streamline operations, increase coding accuracy, and improve financial performance, all while supporting human coders in their work. With Reasint, businesses can expect enhanced productivity, cost savings, and a solution that scales with their needs.
For more than 130 years,Capitol Federal has remained steadfast in our philosophy of Safety in Savings, Sound Lending Policies, Quality Customer Service and Commitment to Community. With over $9 billion in assets, we are a leader in banking in the communities we serve. Specializing in commercial loans, Small Business Loans, and treasury management, we also offer a range of retail deposit accounts, trust services and Insurance product. With 44 branches and 2 in-store locations, Capitol Federal serves businesses and families across Kansas and Missouri.
Netsmart is an industry-leading healthcare technology organization empowering providers to deliver value-based care to the individuals and communities they serve. Together with our clients and Marketplace vendors, we develop and deliver innovative technology, including electronic health records (EHRs), interoperability, analytics, augmented intelligence (AI), population health management and telehealth solutions and services that assist organizations in transforming the care they deliver. The result has helped make a positive impact on the lives of more than 147 million individuals.
Helzberg is a retail and online fine jewelry store with a legacy of service, craftsmanship and innovation since 1915. Known for its rigorous quality standards, Helzberg has over 160 stores nationwide featuring a wide selection of natural and lab grown diamond engagement rings, fine and demi-fine fashion jewelry, precious gems and watches. Helzberg is based in North Kansas City, Missouri, and is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK/A) (NYSE: BRK/B).
FanThreeSixty is at the forefront of data solutions with an innovative engagement platform built for high-performing sports and entertainment organizations. By transforming complex fan data into actionable strategies, their technology enables brands to foster deeper connections, unlock new revenue streams, and build a sustainable competitive advantage with unparalleled efficiency.
About Hack Midwest
Are you a developer that loves building things?
There's $10000 up for grabs at this year's Hack Midwest Oct 10-11 in KC!
Join us along w/ 350+ passionate software developers to build amazing things in 24 hours & win thousands in prizes and cash!
Hack Midwest is a great opportunity to:
- get inspired by building new things
- get community recognition
- win awesome prizes and cash
- make new friends!