Novel Capital teams with Crux KC to offer growth-focused marketing to early-stage tech companies
March 31, 2025 | Startland News Staff
An exclusive partnership between two Kansas City-based innovators is expected to help remove a traditional financial hurdle to business growth, said Ethan Whitehill, president and chief strategy officer for the KC Chamber-lauded marketing firm Crux KC.
The collaboration between Crux and Overland Park-headquartered capital provider Novel Capital is expected to offer B2B SaaS and tech companies a path to non-dilutive flexible financing for essential marketing services.
“This partnership is a game changer, not only for Crux and Novel Capital, but to the entire market as a first-of-its-kind funding tool with flexible terms for marketing services and fractional chief marketer guidance,” said Whitehill. “We are excited to dive into these innovative, entrepreneurial startups and help them make smart marketing investments that establish their brand, scale marketing ops and rev up sales.”
Capital, sales development and marketing are three major challenges every tech venture faces to get their business off the ground, he continued. With Novel Capital’s simple, flexible model providing finding to early-stage SaaS companies ready to grow, and Crux’s expertise in marketing and sales, founders get the startup fuel they need to accelerate growth.
Click here to learn more about Crux’s partnership with Novel Capital, which leverages real-time data and AI to provide analytics, fundraising strategy, and non-dilutive capital to B2B SaaS and tech companies.
A three-time finalist for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year or “Mr. K” award, Crux’s experience in the technology-as-a-service category — offering fractional CMO services backed by a team of specialists — includes client relationships with TreviPay, Super Dispatch and RX Savings Solutions.
“Crux’s growth-focused business approach aligns perfectly with our vision for the founders we work with every day,” said Keith Harrington, co-founder and chief operating officer of Novel Capital alongside fellow serial entrepreneur Carlos Antequera. “At Novel, we’ve funded more than 150 entrepreneurs with more than $100 million, fueling their growth and helping them deliver on their ambitions. By removing the barrier to entry for reliable financing and strategic marketing through this partnership, we are giving founders an alternative to banks and VCs as well as the chance to build something bigger than they ever imagined.”
Crux’s exclusive marketing services partnership with Novel Capital has already begun with both companies working together to identify high-growth enterprise SaaS and tech clients who would benefit from financed marketing services.
Featured Business

2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Why coastal investors ignore the Midwest and what’s next for federal startup policy
Here are this week’s watercooler conversation-starters on why inland states struggle to find funding, coming issues in federal entrepreneurship policy and the success of innovation districts that are cropping up around the U.S. (and in Kansas City). More in this series here. International Business Times: Finding venture capital far from the coasts Of the $48.3…
Ebb and flow: The Kansas City Startup Village by the numbers
Startland News created an infographic on the growth and shrinkage of the Kansas City Startup Village since its 2012 founding. Here’s a colorful interpretation of its ebb and flow, as presented by Startland’s Kat Hungerford. Read more about the KCSV’s history, successes and possible future here.
Shawnee passes tax measure to attract startups
A tax incentive program that aims to attract high-growth startups to the City of Shawnee unanimously passed a city vote, paving the way for firms to tap a variety of benefits to alleviate initial costs. The city council voted 8-0 on the “Startup Workforce Relocation and Expansion Program,” which aims to encourage job growth and…
Animal health firms can now apply for key Kansas City investor forum
The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor is now accepting applications for its eighth-annual investor forum that brings together the top decision makers in the animal health industry. The forum — set for Aug. 30 — will welcome dozens of venture capital organizations from around the world and offer animal health companies the chance to score…
