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

        Another point for Utopia: Small businesses score cash prizes in Access to Money competition

        By Tommy Felts | June 4, 2024

        Patricia McCreary is on a mission to show that Kansas City leads the way on senior and disabled care, she shared. Winning the established business category of the SCORE Access to Money pitch competition puts her one step closer, McCreary added. She founded Margaret’s Place — an adult daycare, senior recreation and wellness center —…

        Want on stage at GEWKC? Organizers need your ideas for 2024 entrepreneur event series

        By Tommy Felts | June 4, 2024

        Kansas City’s business and entrepreneur community is invited to submit sessions for this fall’s Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City, an interactive, community-driven educational experience organized by KCSourceLink. “Kansas City is gearing up for an even better Global Entrepreneurship Week in 2024,” said Callie England, director of GEWKC and marketing director at KCSourceLink, which has organized GEWKC…

        Black & Veatch IgniteX accelerator adds six startups focused on carbon dioxide removal

        By Tommy Felts | June 4, 2024

        An Overland Park-based corporate innovation hub is set to empower an international roster of startups involved in climate and decarbonization technology — just as news reports point to a  record spike in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and intensifying climate concerns. Six companies have been selected for the Black & Veatch IgniteX Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Accelerator,…

        CAPS Network selects first cohort for $951K initiative toward rural Kansas learning expansion

        By Tommy Felts | June 4, 2024

        A significant U.S. Department of Education grant is expected to serve as a catalyst for CAPS Network’s ambitious plan to expand profession-based learning in rural America, with a particular focus on its home state of Kansas. Seven rural partner communities already have been selected. The federal funding came after impactful advocacy from U.S. Jerry Moran,…