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
Score a high-end ‘Kingdom Coat’ in time for KC’s love story with the Chiefs; popup sews in fashion designer’s own lifelong fandom
Kansas City fashion designer Christian Michael Shuster’s latest collection is skipping the runway and hitting the gridiron, he shared. The lead designer and president of the christianMICHAEL fashion label — known for his outerwear and signature diamond-quilted fabric — has kicked off his “Kingdom Coats” collection just in time for the NFL playoffs and the…
Mildred’s new South Plaza spot serves brothers opportunity to scale brand’s cozy legacy
It already has one of downtown Kansas City’s best breakfast sandwiches. Now Mildred’s is opening another home-spun spot in the South Plaza neighborhood. Mildred’s — a breakfast, brunch and lunch operation with locations downtown and in the Crossroads — plans a 7 a.m. Friday opening at 5060 Main St., in the former Mission Taco Joint…
Irish favorite won’t reopen after chef’s killing; Brady & Fox could never be replicated, building owner says
The restaurant space previously home to East Brookside’s Brady & Fox is now available for lease, its owner confirmed, noting the building has been dark since the shooting death of beloved Kansas City chef Shaun Brady, a steadfast leader within the local Irish community. “We’ve been working with the family and we have all agreed…
Noelia Olivares had a vision of the sea in KC; her food truck-turned-restaurant serves up the surf
A new brick-and-mortar restaurant docked along one of Kansas City’s popular dining corridors is sailing into the blustery Midwest market this winter — with the young entrepreneur behind the counter offering her family’s fresh take on Mexican seafood cuisine. Mariscos Mr. Culichi is now open at 910 Southwest Boulevard (Taqueria Mexico long operated in the…
