Funding Stories
C2FO awards grants to three KC nonprofits boosting Black entrepreneurs with intention
A new grants program developed by one of Kansas City’s biggest scaleups was founded with a clear purpose, said Jay Lott, announcing the effort’s first three nonprofit recipients and touting C2FO’s ongoing commitment to community engagement within the Kansas City region. “We want to support the nonprofit organizations that are focused on intentionally elevating Black…
Grit Road plants $11M venture fund to cultivate homegrown ag tech solutions across Midwest
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. OMAHA — The precision guide for Grit Road Partners — a Nebraska-based venture fund — is investing in ag tech companies that are solving Midwest producer problems, said Mike Jung,…
Sailes closes $5.1M investment round led by STL firm, with KCRise Fund, Wichita VC
The foundation for Sailes has always been solving difficult problems for sales teams, said Nick Smith; the success of a Series A funding round for the startup will power new tools toward that goal. “Everyone is on this AI hype train, and we’ve been for AI for a while. But it’s not just about using…
EquipmentShare completes another $150M equity raise, building on its Series E funding
COLUMBIA, Missouri — The latest tranche of funding for EquipmentShare puts mid-Missouri’s most earth-moving scaleup close to a half-billion dollars in funding announced over the past six months. EquipmentShare, a Columbia-based equipment and digital solutions provider serving the construction industry, on Wednesday announced it completed an extension of its Series E equity raise, led by funds…
Investment from former Chiefs linebacker expected to boost Kin Seltzer’s flow into KC
An investment from former Chiefs player Dezman Moses valued at $3 million is expected to help flood Kansas City with storytelling — and a new surprise flavor — from the first Black-owned seltzer in the market, said Joshua Lewis. Kin Seltzer announced the strategic investment from the Kansas City linebacker-turned-entrepreneur, noting plans to use the…
