Investors Stories

Hundreds of investors, entrepreneurs heading to KC for InvestMidwest

A midwestern venture capital forum that has led to over $1 billion in early-stage investments will convene in Kansas City on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 28 and 29. The 18th annual InvestMidwest conference aims to showcase the best early-stage, high growth tech companies in the region. The event regularly garners more than 300 attendees and…

Digital Sandbox announces funding for six new companies

On Thursday, Digital Sandbox KC announced its newest cohort of six area startups. Led by entrepreneur Jeff Shackelford, the Kansas City-based incubator welcomed 17° 73° Innovation Co, Anticipate Ventures, FEWDM, Homegrown & Happy, Live-K and TicketRx to the program.   “The continued support through partnerships, like Independence, Olathe and Great Plains Energy for the Energy…

TechAccel hops in $3.2M round for Lincoln-based ag tech firm

Kansas City-based TechAccel is joining an investment round in a Nebraska agriculture tech firm that aims to improve crop yields. The area venture firm is among a group of investors in Lincoln-based Epicrop Technologies Inc., which raised a total of $3.2 million in its Series A round, which was led by North Forty Ventures. TechAccel…

Darcy Howe’s hustle grows, guides KCRise Fund in first year

Kansas City may not realize its good fortune with the tenacious manager of a relatively new fund that’s investing in early-stage firms. Self-described as a builder that’s competitive and impatient, Darcy Howe is weaving her years of determined leadership into the KCRise Fund, which just wrapped up its first year with $14 million in the…

Tough love: Blooom CEO Chris Costello offers advice to KC investors

Editor’s note: Chris Costello is the CEO and co-founder of Blooom, a financial tech startup based in Leawood, Kan., that recently raised a $9.15 million round. All opinions expressed in the commentary are the author’s alone. I am happy to report that Blooom is fresh off its successful Series B round of funding. The round…