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
Austin’s ‘hostile attitude’ toward innovation, startup hub trends
Here’s this week’s dish on lesson’s learned from Austin’s “hostile attitude” toward innovation, booming non-Silicon Valley startup hubs and what startups can do for the future workforce. Check out more in this series here. AustinInno: Austin just scared off 1 of its ‘biggest supporters’ in Silicon Valley The Austin, Texas City Council’s recent decision to…
Events Preview: SMCKC gatherings, Lean Lab workshop
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW SMCKC Breakfast When: March 4 @ 7:30 am – 9:00 am Where: Grand Street Cafe Hear Katie Leas, Online Marketing Manager of…
PresentR taps the Kinect to boost public-speaking skills
A Kansas City startup is plugging into popular gaming technology to improve users’ public speaking skills. Founded by Tim Wikstrom, PresentR taps Microsoft’s Kinect to analyze a presentation, scrutinizing everything from poor posture to counting how many times you say “um.” Founded in 2013, PresentR’s tech evaluates a user’s eye contact, gestures, voice and posture to…
Niall goes ‘all in’ on new retail location, high-tech pen
Well-known in Kansas City for gifting Royals manager Ned Yost a snazzy timepiece, Niall will soon be offering a host of new luxury products — including a high-tech pen — and a new store to feature them. Led by CEO Mike Wilson, Niall on Wednesday announced an expansion of its product line to include a…
