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
Happy birthday! Startland recalls 10 memorable entrepreneurial stories
It’s been a year since Startland News spread its journalistic wings. And that presents us an opportunity to reflect on the flood of stories that Kansas City stirred up in the last 12 months. We’ve published more than 400 stories in the last 365 days. Although they detail a myriad of subjects in on the…
Fund me, KC: Leka robot teaches kids with developmental disorders
Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Leka CEO Ladislas de Toldi — to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by…
Report: Missouri boasts three, top-20 startup cities
Kansas City is a top-20 destination to start a business, according to a recent WalletHub report. A study released Monday by the personal finance website ranked the City of Fountains as the No. 16 best city to launch a business. WalletHub compared the relative startup opportunities in the 150 most populated U.S. cities., looking at metrics such…
