Redbud VC
Redbud VC drops $25M Fund II in its attempt to ‘out-hustle the market’ for top talent, Midwest unicorns
A new $25 million fund for Columbia-based Redbud VC is expected to help identify and develop top-tier, pre-seed innovators before they head to the coasts to find more abundant capital, said Brett Calhoun. “There isn’t an underground hacker house pumping out unicorn founders,” said Calhoun, general partner at Redbud VC, in a blog post. “The…
Missouri Startup Weekend back with $45,000 in prizes, $600,000 in potential investment
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A flagship event for the state’s startup ecosystem is returning April 17-19 in a bid to help build Missouri’s next billion-dollar company, said Willy Schlacks, noting it’s a proven launch pad for future unicorns. “We still talk about that original Startup Weekend all the time,” said Schlacks, president and co‑founder of EquipmentShare…
InvestMidwest back in KC ahead of World Cup rush; four new leaders join board roster
A powerhouse quartet of venture experts are on board for the next wave of InvestMidwest impact, said Claire Kinlaw, announcing plans for the two-day summit’s bounce back to Kansas City this spring as organizers push to boost deal flow in a region outside the startup-dense coasts. New to InvestMidwest’s board as planning gets under way…
Tech catches up to this ‘hot commodity’: Trially scaling to next level as an early investor forecasts unlocked opportunity
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. Kyle McAllister and his Trially co-founders see the Kansas City-based…
StartupNWA opens access to Northwest Arkansas ‘VC Immersions’ for Kansas City founders
SPRINGDALE, Arkansas — A program designed to connect entrepreneurs with top-tier venture capitalists — offering access to critical funding, mentorship and the essential relationships needed to secure investor support — is now accepting Kansas City applicants. It’s all about lowering barriers to capital, said Serafina Lalany, executive director of StartupNWA, an initiative of the Northwest…











