Minneapolis angel investment firm expanding to KC, names McCoolidge managing partner
July 9, 2019 | Startland News Staff
A former leader of the Mid-America Angels fund could be the secret to establishing Minneapolis-based Sofia Fund as a new investment resource for women-led companies within Kansas City, said Cathy Connett.
“The Midwest continues to be a hub of startup activity,’ said Connett, Sofia Fund CEO. “Extending our footprint to Kansas City gives us access to an active investment community that attracts entrepreneurs from throughout the world, particularly female founders.”
Laura McCoolidge joined Sofia Fund as its Kansas City-based managing partner June 1, Connett said, after having served in a similar role for Mid-America Angels for more than a year, ending in March. McCoolidge is one of five managing partners for Sofia Fund.
Sofia Fund “invests in and grows exceptional women-led companies to maximize returns for investors by bringing its portfolio companies successfully to profitable exits,” according to the firm. Its investment team has invested more than $10 million in 50 companies.
Click here to learn more about the kinds of companies sought for Sofia Fund’s portfolio.
McCoolidge is a newly appointed Kauffman Fellow, as well as the former executive director of Nebraska Angels, a member of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a mentor for Pipeline, and serves as a board director for NE Enterprises LLC, an organization created to evaluate early stage and international investment opportunities for the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Featured Business

2019 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
North Kansas City to receive area’s largest coworking studio
North Kansas City will soon boast the metro’s largest coworking facility. The first shared workspace in North Kansas City, iWerx’s massive 33,000-square-feet facility is scheduled to open in July for entrepreneurs hoping to work in a community of innovators. iWerx also will house a business incubator that hopes foster entrepreneurial vibrancy in North Kansas City.…
Gallery: The 2016 Kansas City Maker Faire
Kansas City creativity was on full display at the 2016 Maker Faire. To learn more about the event, check out this video from Startland News.
New Kansas City incubator focuses on energy startups
Kansas City now has a new sandbox to play in. Digital Sandbox KC on Tuesday announced the launch of Energy Sandbox. Similar to Digital Sandbox, Energy Sandbox aims to provide proof-of-concept resources to early-stage entrepreneurs — but this time, it will be for startups in the energy sector, rather than tech. Energy Sandbox will partner…
A festival of creativity, the Kansas City Maker Faire inspires yet again
The Kansas City Maker Faire affords an amalgam of ingenuity, nerdom and unbridled creativity What do I mean? Let me paint a picture of the first 20 minutes I spent moseying through Union Station. I waited in line for coffee with Start Wars villain Kylo Ren (ironically he enjoyed a light roast). An affectionate hippogriff nuzzled my…
