Hundreds of investors, entrepreneurs heading to KC for InvestMidwest
March 27, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
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 is being held at the Sheraton Kansas City at the Westin this year.
Hoping to attract the attention of potential investors in the audience, 45 companies representing 11 states and Canada will give pitches throughout the day. Three industry tracks — life sciences, information technology and food/agriculture/bioenergy — will present simultaneously.
Collectively, companies that have presented at previous InvestMidwest conferences have raised over $1 billion in equity investment over the last 17 years. Seven Kansas City area companies will present, yet the names have not been disclosed.
“This event will reflect a great geographic footprint,” Christine Walsh, executive director of InvestMidwest said in a release. “Over the years, the companies that have applied have shown increased sophistication in approaching the venture capital environment. This process has reflected a substantive strengthening in the Midwest’s entrepreneurial environment.”
In addition to giving high growth firms the opportunity to present to investors, the conference allows for networking and expert speakers. The event kicks off with an opening reception Tuesday evening.
From Kansas City: KCRise Fund managing director Darcy Howe, EyeVerify CEO Toby Rush and Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation entrepreneurial advocate Nathan Kurtz will speak at the breakfast on March 29th. As for the luncheon on the same day, Kansas City area speakers include retired JE Dunn Construction CEO Terry Dunn and TechAccel CEO Michael Helmstetter.
The forum alternates between being hosted in Kansas City, Mo. and St. Louis, Mo. each year. To read more about the forum and its history, click here.
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Want on stage at GEWKC? Organizers need your ideas for 2024 entrepreneur event series
Kansas City’s business and entrepreneur community is invited to submit sessions for this fall’s Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City, an interactive, community-driven educational experience organized by KCSourceLink. “Kansas City is gearing up for an even better Global Entrepreneurship Week in 2024,” said Callie England, director of GEWKC and marketing director at KCSourceLink, which has organized GEWKC…
Black & Veatch IgniteX accelerator adds six startups focused on carbon dioxide removal
An Overland Park-based corporate innovation hub is set to empower an international roster of startups involved in climate and decarbonization technology — just as news reports point to a record spike in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and intensifying climate concerns. Six companies have been selected for the Black & Veatch IgniteX Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Accelerator,…
CAPS Network selects first cohort for $951K initiative toward rural Kansas learning expansion
A significant U.S. Department of Education grant is expected to serve as a catalyst for CAPS Network’s ambitious plan to expand profession-based learning in rural America, with a particular focus on its home state of Kansas. Seven rural partner communities already have been selected. The federal funding came after impactful advocacy from U.S. Jerry Moran,…
KC Futures DAO aims to launch Kansas City’s first blockchain-driven innovation magnet
As the US races to catch up to Europe, Asia and the developing world with regard to crypto, blockchain and Web3 tech, can the careful creation of talent-attracting digital hubs help close the distance? Today’s global economy — and its hyper-competitive talent market — rightly sees rapidly advancing technology as a relentless force, said Troy Carlson,…