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
ShotTracker benchmark: KC tech gets waiver to be used courtside by coaches at Hall of Fame Classic
A score in the basket of history, Merriam-based ShotTracker has landed another monumental first, the company announced Tuesday, further positioning it as a leader in the Kansas City tech space. “ShotTracker is proud to drive this next stage of growth in college basketball,” Davyeon Ross, co-founder and COO said of the company’s latest NCAA collaboration…
Sprint Accelerator founder teases plans for ‘innovation district’ to fill Jazz-to-Crossroads gap
Kevin McGinnis sees potential in the creativity gap along the 18th Street corridor that connects the Jazz and Crossroads Arts districts, he said. The former Sprint executive and founder of the Sprint Accelerator teased plans Tuesday for a collaborative innovation district that could bridge societal gaps and further develop community in the startup ecosystem. “I’m…
Techweek KC taps into thirst for community at Boulevard kickoff party (Photos)
Revelers networking Monday night at a kickoff party for Techweek Kansas City were so lost in conversation that they frequently had to be reminded of the open bar available to them at Boulevard Beer Hall. The evening event capped the first day of Techweek KC programming, which ran the gamut from a KC Mayoral Tech…
Is KC scaring away disruptive tech? Mayor candidates revive sharing economy debate
A wave of technology is coming — and Kansas City should be ready, said Steve Miller, entering the fray between mayoral candidates over regulating the sharing economy. Appearing Monday at a KC Mayoral Tech Forum to open Techweek Kansas City, Miller compared navigating the regulatory waters around such emerging services as Airbnb, Uber and Bird to…