Two KC venture capitalists earn scholarships to join Kauffman Fellows
June 14, 2017 | Bobby Burch
A pair of Kansas City venture capitalists were recently selected to participate in the highly-esteemed investor program Kauffman Fellows.
As part of an Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation program announced in October, Kauffman Fellows awarded scholarships to Stray Dog Capital CEO Lisa Feria and Flyover Capital partner Thad Langford. The program also awarded scholarships to Scott Bernstein, principal of St. Louis-based Lewis & Clark Ventures, and Victor Gutwein, founder of Chicago-based M25. The four will undergo the program’s two-year venture capital and leadership program based in Silicon Valley.
The scholarship awards aim to help close the Midwest capital investment gap, enhance capital formation expertise in middle America and support Kansas City as a regional hub for investors.
“This is great news for entrepreneurs in the Midwest,” Kauffman Fellows CEO Jeff Harbach said in a release. “The quality of the investors who applied for the Kauffman Foundation scholarship is amazing. The four recipients will have a huge impact on their local and regional ecosystems. We’re very excited to welcome the heartland fellows to the new class.”
Stray Dog Capital invests in early-stage, mission-driven companies that aim to take animals out of the supply chain with innovative products and services. Flyover Capital focuses on creating the next generation of tech success stories in areas outside the East and West coasts.
“We are proud to work with the Kauffman Fellows to provide training and leadership development to this first group of outstanding investors in the Midwest,” Kauffman Foundation CEO Wendy Guillies said. “We believe that every person with a big idea has the fundamental right to start a business without barriers. Building the venture investor capacity in this region is one of the uncommon solutions we are supporting to clear the path for the makers, the doers and the dreamers wanting to start and grow successful businesses.”
The scholarships mark the first year of the Kauffman Foundation’s $960,000 funding program, in which four scholarships will be awarded per year for the next three years. Each year, Kauffman Fellows will welcome two recipients will be from the Kansas City metro, one from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, and another from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians.
Founded in 1995 by the Kauffman Foundation, the Kauffman Fellows program is designed to enhance access to venture capital by improving understanding and relationships between investors and entrepreneurs. Nearly 500 fellows and 200 venture capital firms from more than 40 countries have participated in the program.
Featured Business
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Mom’s ‘modern throwback’ dress collection celebrates girlhood, innocence of times past
Inspired by her five daughters, Joelle Smith created a dress line and online boutique she hopes captures the innocence, beauty, and whimsical spirit of young girls — even though hers are now grown. “When they were little girls, I loved watching them put on a dress and just light up and then twirl and play…
Midwest-made crossover artist charts solo success that eluded him when he was young
Sebastian James assumed until recently that his music career had already peaked, the hometown hit-maker shared. In 2011, the 18-year-old Riverside native and Park Hill South graduate started touring the country as the drummer for the Nigel Dupree Band, opening for bands like Korn and Stone Temple Pilots. But this year, at 30, he launched…
Early childhood isn’t a money maker, but can be a money breaker: ECJC initiative links lack of child care to business’ bottom lines
Access to safe and affordable child care is an issue that should concern everyone, Judy Bumpus acknowledged. Research indicates the current capacity to provide child care within the Kansas City metro is only 45 percent, according to the director of client services for the Kansas City Women’s Business Center, with 80,000 children still needing childcare…
KC Black Owned’s fall summit returns this weekend with corporate backing, tools for Black entrepreneurs
A summit planned for Saturday at the Kansas City Convention Center aims to inspire Black business owners and equip them with the resources, strategies, and connections needed to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. The Global Strategies Summit for Market Innovators — organized by KC Black Owned — is deeply rooted in its founder’s drive to…