KC-based Jayhawk startups earn cut of $570K from Oread Angel Investors pitch event
January 8, 2025 | Tommy Felts
LAWRENCE, Kansas — Four Kansas City-area startups with ties to the University of Kansas recently took home funding infusions from a newly formed network of Sunflower State investors — part of a rapidly advancing initiative led by KU Innovation Park.
Wint Winter Jr., a former Kansas state senator and longtime Lawrence attorney, center, speaks with Adam Courtney, Adam Courtney, CEO of KU Innovation Park, right, during an inaugural pitch event for the Oread Angel Investors network; photo courtesy of KU Innovation Park
Members of the Oread Angel Investors network, which launched in September and now has about 70 active members, invested $570,000 in Jayhawk-affiliated startups after an inaugural pitch event Nov. 8 in Lawrence. Among the showcased companies: Icorium Engineering, one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2025, and Invary, which was among the companies named a Startup to Watch in 2024.
“Participating in the Oread Angel inaugural pitch event was an incredible opportunity for Invary,” said Jason Rogers, CEO of Invary. “The group’s diverse and broad network of KU alumni and local investors brings a wealth of perspectives and expertise, making their feedback and support invaluable. Coupled with the resources of the KU Innovation Park, groups like Oread Angels play a vital role in building a strong foundation for startups like Invary and others emerging from the local ecosystem.”
The energy and enthusiasm of the network’s first event showcased what can happen when investors forge connections with Jayhawks, said Adam Courtney, CEO of KU Innovation Park.
“It was a great start in bringing together promising startups and investors passionate about supporting businesses with ties to KU,” he said. “It’s exciting to see this kind of impact in such a short time, and we’re eager to build on the momentum.”
The full list of funded startups at the event — individual investment amounts were not disclosed — includes:
- Earthgrid (Troy Helming, founder, CEO; Scott Lane, founder, COO), Richmond, California — A company using patented plasma technology to tunnel and excavate at a fraction of the cost and time.
- Icorium Engineering Company (Kalin Baca, founder, CEO; Mark Shiflett, founder, chief science officer), Lawrence — A startup revolutionizing refrigerant reclamation through the separation of complex mixes. (KU Innovation Park company and KU spinout)
- Ideem (Toby Rush, founder, CEO; Greg Storm, founder, president; Maranda Manning, founder, vice president of customer success and operations; Tim Massey, founder, vice president of engineering), Kansas City, Missouri — A B2B SaaS platform making two-factor authentication easy and invisible.
- Invary (Dr. Perry Alexander, founder; Jason Rogers, CEO; Dr. Wesley Peck, CTO), Lawrence — A cybersecurity company protecting people, organizations and governments from hidden cyberthreats. (KU Innovation Park company)
- Phoreus Biotech (David Schaefer, CEO), Olathe — A bioscience firm offering targeted, precision delivery for the next generation of genetic technology. (KU Innovation Park company)
Members of the Lawrence-based Oread Angel Investors network listen to startup founders pitch their Jayhawk-affiliated companies during the investor group’s inaugural pitch event at KU Innovation Park in Lawrence; photo courtesy of KU Innovation Park
“The network has a unique ability to supply much-needed capital for Jayhawk-affiliated startups and high-quality investment opportunities for alumni, faculty and friends wanting to support KU,” said Chris Rehkamp, director of business services at KU Innovation Park. “Beyond capital, alumni can provide mentorship and support to up-and-coming companies.”
A grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce supported the development of the angel network.
ICYMI: KU Innovation Park launches Oread Angel Investors network to boost Jayhawk startups
The KU Innovation Park — a nonprofit economic development organization and business incubator in Lawrence that is home to 74 companies that employ 750 people — is working in partnership with the University of Kansas, the KU Alumni Association and the Digital Health Co/Lab at KU, among others, to amplify the network’s reach and impact.
“The success of the first Oread Angel Investors event showcases both the potential and incredible power of Jayhawks investing in Jayhawks,” said Heath Peterson, president of the KU Alumni Association. “Together, we’re fueling innovation and fostering an even stronger entrepreneurial culture.”
The next members-only pitch event is planned for March.
Click here for more information about the Oread Angel Investors network — including how to join as an investor or how to pitch the group.
This story is made possible by Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures.
Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV) is a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. NetWork Kansas promotes an entrepreneurial environment by connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the expertise, education and economic resources they need to succeed.
Tommy Felts
Tommy is editor-in-chief for Startland News, a Kansas City-based nonprofit newsroom that uses storytelling to elevate the region’s startup community of entrepreneurs, innovators, hustlers, creatives and risk-takers.
Under Tommy’s leadership, Startland News has expanded its coverage from a primarily high-tech, high-growth focus to a more wide-ranging and inclusive look at the faces of entrepreneurism, innovation and business.
Before joining Startland News in 2017, Tommy worked for 12 years as an award-winning newspaper journalist, designer, editor and publisher. He was named one of Editor & Publisher magazine’s top “25 Under 35” in 2014.
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