Novel Capital teams with Crux KC to offer growth-focused marketing to early-stage tech companies 

March 31, 2025  |  Startland News Staff

Ethan Whitehill, Crux KC; and Keith Harrington, Novel Capital

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.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged , , , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2025 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Roberts: 5 things the world can learn from KC entrepreneurs

        By Tommy Felts | September 16, 2015

        This week, entrepreneurship is king in Kansas City. As we welcome the world to our burgeoning tech hub during Techweek, it’s tempting to think that Kansas City’s startup community is a new phenomenon. But in fact, the names of the city fathers (and mothers) — the Kauffmans, Kempers, Blochs and Helzbergs — that adorn almost…

        After new regulations, Uber opens KC office

        By Tommy Felts | September 16, 2015

        Uber is spreading deeper roots in the Kansas City metro after new regulations have allowed the ride-sharing giant to operate legally in Kansas and Missouri. The San Francisco-based company is currently renovating a new Kansas City office on McGee Street near the Power and Light District, said Andy Hung, general manager of Uber Kansas City.…

        Kansas City receives new tech-focused jobs board

        By Tommy Felts | September 16, 2015

        Businesses both big and small looking to fill technology positions in their companies have a new outlet to find talent: KCnext’s new job board. In conjunction with Kansas City’s inaugural Techweek, the KCnext team announced Chute Wednesday to help area businesses in their recruiting efforts — whether they’re members of the tech council or not. Millennials have shed light on…

        Neighborly nabs $5.5M from Formation 8, Ashton Kutcher

        By Tommy Felts | September 15, 2015

        Neighborly, a San Francisco-based startup with an office in Kansas City, recently landed a multi-million dollar investment for its community investment marketplace. The company, which relocated its headquarters from Kansas City to San Francisco after struggling to raise local capital, raised $5.5 million from venture capital firms Formation 8 and Ashton Kutcher’s Sound Ventures, according…