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
Global capital network selects IoT startup as its first ‘Endeavor Entrepreneur’ candidate from KC
Endeavor Heartland, the Northwest Arkansas-based division of a global network built to support high-impact entrepreneurs, has officially made its first foray into the Kansas City market, the organization announced. Pepper, a full-stack Internet of Things (IoT) platform-as-a-service provider, in May became the inaugural company from the Kansas City region to join Endeavor’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Shawn…
New CEO for KC Fashion Week; transition keeps an industry champion on the runway
A shift in leadership at Kansas City Fashion Week is expected to emphasize the brand’s commitment to showcasing and promoting local and national talent within the industry, its outgoing executive said. “The future of the fashion industry in Kansas City is in the best possible hands,” said co-founder and CEO Philip Willoughby, announcing the sale…
Early buy-in from Latinx shoppers pushes paraMi toward surprise storefront; here’s where you’ll find them soon
A physical storefront wasn’t originally part of the plan for paraMi, co-founder Veronica Alvidrez shared, until the women behind the brand listened to the needs of their community. “We knew we wanted to offer our customers a shopping experience,” Alvidrez explained. “When we did pop-up events, we realized our shoppers are tactile shoppers and they…
Is there a doctor on board? Dragon boat race puts KC professionals in the rower’s seat
Brush Creek will put teams of professionals and other competitors to the test this weekend as Kansas City’s annual Dragon Boat Festival returns to the Country Club Plaza. For at least one crew, the waterway will become a lab of sorts — with leaders evaluating their teamwork and collaboration skills. Chris Jurief, a fourth-year resident…