Tag: Willy Schlacks

Redbud VC drops $25M Fund II in its attempt to ‘out-hustle the market’ for top talent, Midwest unicorns

By Tommy Felts / March 18, 2026

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

By Tommy Felts / March 10, 2026

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…

IPO alert: EquipmentShare hits Nasdaq; Missouri unicorn says its staying true to its long-term vision

By Tommy Felts / January 23, 2026

COLUMBIA, Mo. — With EquipmentShare’s debut Friday on the stock exchange, the Missouri-built leader in connected jobsite technology is advancing a decade-long blueprint for its growth, as well as productivity, efficiency and collaboration across the construction industry, said Jabbok Schlacks. “Our vision since we founded EquipmentShare more than 10 years ago was to transform the…

‘Wonderful things anywhere’: Entrepreneurs share keys to ‘Main Street’ success

By Tommy Felts / October 15, 2024

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. COLUMBIA, Missouri — When Willy Schlacks noticed what he said were inefficiencies plaguing…

‘Startup Weekend changed my life’: 3-day competition returns with potential $150K investment prize

By Tommy Felts / March 29, 2024

COLUMBIA, Missouri — Organizers of Missouri Startup Weekend — a team-based competition that takes a glimmer of a startup idea to a fleshed-out business in three days — are upping the ante in an attempt to give Show-Me State entrepreneurs a platform to spark success. “Aspiring founders can find people who can help them build…

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