Laura McCoolidge

Sofia Fund

Fundraising, For Real: Can convertible notes kill a deal in the Midwest?  

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Laura McCoolidge is managing partner at the Sofia Fund, which recently expanded its reach to Kansas City. Religion. Gun control. Politics. Convertible notes. Why are convertible notes so controversial? Despite the controversy, this instrument has proven popular as a means for working with…

Laura McCoolidge, Sofia Fund

Minneapolis angel investment firm expanding to KC, names McCoolidge managing partner

A former leader of the Mid-America Angels fund could be the secret to establishing Minneapolis-based Sofia Fund as a new investment resource for women-led companies within Kansas City, said Cathy Connett. “The Midwest continues to be a hub of startup activity,’ said Connett, Sofia Fund CEO. “Extending our footprint to Kansas City gives us access…

Rick Vaughn, Mid America Angels

Top founder salutes Rick Vaughn: A mustached hero with a herculean task

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. The dude is amazing; the dude is a legend. He rocks a mustache and his name is Rick Vaughn. If you don’t know him, it’s too late. He’s already gone. Well, not quite gone; this isn’t an obituary. Rick is just retiring from…

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,…