BacklotCars parks another $25 million in Series B round led by NY-based investor
April 15, 2019 | Startland News Staff
KC-fueled BacklotCars will further its mission to disrupt the wholesale automotive space, thanks to the close of a $25 million Series B funding round, the company announced Monday.
Led by New York-based growth equity firm, Stripes, the round brings BacklotCars — which seeks to ease pain points for automotive wholesalers — to $38 million in funding total since it was founded in 2014.
“We’re excited to have Stripes partnering with us on this next round of funding, as well as the continued support from existing investors,” said Justin Davis, CEO of BacklotCars. “Stripes’ experience with guiding high-growth, tech-driven marketplaces will be helpful as we double down on our mission of making wholesale easy.”
Backlot Cars’ latest round saw continued support from KCRise Fund, the company said, in addition to another seven existing investors that included: Origin Ventures, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, Royal Street Ventures, and Chaifetz Group.
“We are thrilled to be joining the BacklotCars team,” said Saagar Kulkarni, Principal at Stripes. “The BacklotCars marketplace, combined with its transportation and financing products, is a complete solution for dealers. We believe their tremendous growth is proving that car dealers want a digital marketplace for buying and selling inventory. We look forward to partnering with Justin and the team as they continue to expand their footprint and create value for dealers nationwide.”
Rapidly raising, the Crossroads-based company closed on an $8 million Series A round in December 2018.
Click here to read about the previous funding round.
“We have a talented team of problem solvers here that gets things done,” Nathan Sterner, growth and marketing manager, said of the company’s growth mindset at the time.
With it latest cash infusion, BacklotCars will continue its expansion, promising to enhance current products, expand inventory, and create additional resources focused on dealer success, Davis said.
“We’re focused on building one platform for all dealers to transact efficiently, not just a new version of the same old auction,” he said.
Featured Business

2019 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Voice of the Chiefs offers advice for startups: Stay hungry, humble and pointed toward your goal post
WICHITA, Kansas — Don’t settle for one winning season, Mitch Holthus — the longtime voice of the Kansas City Chiefs — told a group of startup founders, encouraging entrepreneurs to keep pushing forward before they find themselves hitting a professional plateau. “You celebrate milestones, but you don’t stay there,” said Holthus, comparing the average lifespan…
KC duo’s play to bring more college softball recruiters to Midwest goes into extra innings with new tech tool
A Kansas City softball dad’s desire for a legacy has grown from a single tournament into four dozen events in eight states and a million-dollar boost for the Kansas City region’s economy, shared Jeremy McDowell. Newly developed tech could bring even more eyes to the Midwest’s best emerging players. Top Gun Events — founded by…
BlackBizFest aims to make Black-owned businesses top of mind for all KC consumers
Anticipation is growing for this spring’s debut BlackBizFest, said Marsha Willis, teasing a week-long celebration that puts Black excellence and entrepreneurship on full display. Among the standout elements of the May 13-19 festival: the Kansas City Black Expo and Black Business Ball & Honors. “We want people to put on their tourist hats, go participate,…
Why these Gen Z marketers want KC startups to channel the power of TikTok Shop
A Kansas City-built Gen Z ad agency is opening a TikTok Shop challenge this spring — scrolling through plans to elevate startups’ and small business’s social media brands and offer a chance to win $100,000 in services. TRNDSTTRS Media — ranked No. 3 in client revenue on TikTok — expects the challenge to run May…


