Funding Stories

TechWeek

Hunting access to capital? Do your homework first, Techweek panel says

Imagining overnight startup success is as unrealistic as wanting to become a winning athlete or megastar musician overnight — it all takes time and practice, said Juan Campos. “If you actually have the ambition to create a multimillion dollar company, then the people that are the most successful at that didn’t just wake up one…

Julia Luetje, Storm Sleeper, pre-teen innovator

Pure Pitch surprise twist: Techweek competition adds pre-teen innovator to KC startup lineup

In a surprise announcement Monday, organizers of the Pure Pitch Rally announced the third annual pitch competition would feature the Kansas City pre-teen innovator behind the Storm Sleeper. Update: Click here to find out who won big at the Pure Pitch Rally. Julia Luetje — a Barstow School student from Leawood, who at 10 years…

Kim Naramore and Jillian Carlile, TravelHive

Digital Sandbox KC mixes in Carroll’s Irish Bitters, TravelHive, iSocial and Grant Company

After more than five years, Digital Sandbox KC’s proof-of-concept program continues to see a high volume of quality applicants with a wide range of concepts, said Jeff Shackelford. Four startups receiving project funding from Digital Sandbox KC were announced Thursday. Two of those awards are in partnership with Innovation Stockyard in St. Joseph, said Shackelford,…

Flow Forward

Fresh funding brings Flow Forward to $8M in capital; pushes startup closer to first human clinical trials

An additional $1.2 million in Series A financing puts Fairway-based medical technology company Flow Forward closer to human clinical trials for hemodialysis patients, said Dr. Nicholas Franano. The new investment — from a group of investors, including Mid-America Angels — brings Flow Forward’s total funding raised to date to more than $8 million, said Franano,…

April Seggebruch and Stan Zylowski, Movista

Movista exit: Mid-America Angels portfolio firm scores $12M growth equity investment

A $12 million Series A growth equity investment in Movista is a significant win for Mid-America Angels, as well as for the region, said Laura McCoolidge. The Arkansas-based startup — which uses a mobile-first, real-time platform to power labor and workforce management software for retailers, manufacturers, and service providers — is among the leading portfolio…