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
Kansas City sculpts new program to fund artists
The City of Kansas City, Mo., is putting its money where its mouth is in support of local artists. Moving forward, artists will be eligible to receive funding through a micro-lending program, piloting to support the growth and stability of their creative practice. Created through a collaboration between the city, the Economic Development Corporation of…
St. Louis tech group expanding to KC
A St. Louis tech organization is using its recent funding award to expand its operations into Kansas City. LaunchCode, a nonprofit organization that helps with job placement in technology, received a $250,000 award Wednesday from the Missouri Technology Corporation that will help it expand to cities across Missouri, including Kansas City. “MTC’s support will be…
Events Preview: ECJC, America Hack night
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 ECJC Summer Venture Lounge When: Wednesday, July 8 @ 4:30 PM-6:30 PM Where: Enterprise Center of Johnson County Investors, entrepreneurs and…
