KC-based Jayhawk startups earn cut of $570K from Oread Angel Investors pitch event

LAWRENCE, Kansas — Four Kansas City-area startups with ties to the University of Kansas recently took home funding infusions from a newly formed network of Sunflower State investors — part of a rapidly advancing initiative led by KU Innovation Park.

Wint Winter Jr., a former Kansas state senator and longtime Lawrence attorney, center, speaks with Adam Courtney, Adam Courtney, CEO of KU Innovation Park, right, during an inaugural pitch event for the Oread Angel Investors network; photo courtesy of KU Innovation Park

Members of the Oread Angel Investors network, which launched in September and now has about 70 active members, invested $570,000 in Jayhawk-affiliated startups after an inaugural pitch event Nov. 8 in Lawrence. Among the showcased companies: Icorium Engineering, one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2025, and Invary, which was among the companies named a Startup to Watch in 2024.

“Participating in the Oread Angel inaugural pitch event was an incredible opportunity for Invary,” said Jason Rogers, CEO of Invary. “The group’s diverse and broad network of KU alumni and local investors brings a wealth of perspectives and expertise, making their feedback and support invaluable. Coupled with the resources of the KU Innovation Park, groups like Oread Angels play a vital role in building a strong foundation for startups like Invary and others emerging from the local ecosystem.”

The energy and enthusiasm of the network’s first event showcased what can happen when investors forge connections with Jayhawks, said Adam Courtney, CEO of KU Innovation Park.

“It was a great start in bringing together promising startups and investors passionate about supporting  businesses with ties to KU,” he said. “It’s exciting to see this kind of impact in such a short time, and we’re eager to build on the momentum.” 

The full list of funded startups at the event — individual investment amounts were not disclosed — includes:

• Earthgrid (Troy Helming, founder, CEO; Scott Lane, founder, COO), Richmond, California — A company using patented plasma technology to tunnel and excavate at a  fraction of the cost and time.

• Icorium Engineering Company (Kalin Baca, founder, CEO; Mark Shiflett, founder, chief science officer), Lawrence — A startup revolutionizing refrigerant reclamation  through the separation of complex mixes. (KU Innovation Park company and KU spinout)

• Ideem (Toby Rush, founder, CEO; Greg Storm, founder, president; Maranda Manning, founder, vice president of customer success and operations; Tim Massey, founder, vice president of engineering), Kansas City, Missouri — A B2B SaaS platform making two-factor authentication easy and invisible.

• Invary (Dr. Perry Alexander, founder; Jason Rogers, CEO; Dr. Wesley Peck, CTO), Lawrence — A cybersecurity company protecting people, organizations and governments from  hidden cyberthreats. (KU Innovation Park company)

• Phoreus Biotech (David Schaefer, CEO), Olathe — A bioscience firm offering targeted, precision delivery for the next  generation of genetic technology. (KU Innovation Park company)

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Members of the Lawrence-based Oread Angel Investors network listen to startup founders pitch their Jayhawk-affiliated companies during the investor group’s inaugural pitch event at KU Innovation Park in Lawrence; photo courtesy of KU Innovation Park

“The network has a unique ability to supply much-needed capital for Jayhawk-affiliated startups  and high-quality investment opportunities for alumni, faculty and friends wanting to support KU,” said Chris Rehkamp, director of business services at KU Innovation Park. “Beyond capital,  alumni can provide mentorship and support to up-and-coming companies.” 

A grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce supported the development of the angel network.

ICYMI: KU Innovation Park launches Oread Angel Investors network to boost Jayhawk startups

Maggie Kenefake, founder of Iron Prairie Ventures and co-founder of the Kansas City-based MidxMidwest summit, address startup founders at the Oread Angel Investors network inaugural pitch event; photo courtesy of KU Innovation Park

Maranda Manning, co-founder and vice president of customer success and operations for Ideem — a veteran of startup operations SquareOffs and TripleBlind, as well as Firebrand Ventures — pitches her company to members of the Oread Angel Investors network, as co-founder Greg Storm, left, looks on; photo courtesy of KU Innovation Park

Serial entrepreneur Michael Wilson, founder of Franklin's (one of Startland News' Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2023), talks with Brett Simpson, head of strategy and performance at Google Fiber, during the Oread Angel Investors network inaugural pitch event; photo courtesy of KU Innovation Park

Hyleme George, vice president of mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships at Black & Veatch, and a leader of the firm's IgniteX accelerator, chats with attendees at the Oread Angel Investors network inaugural pitch event; photo courtesy of KU Innovation Park

The KU Innovation Park — a nonprofit economic development organization and business incubator in Lawrence that is home to 74 companies that employ 750 people — is working in partnership with the University of Kansas, the KU Alumni Association and the Digital Health Co/Lab at KU, among others, to amplify the network’s reach and impact.

“The success of the first Oread Angel Investors event showcases both the potential and incredible power of Jayhawks investing in Jayhawks,” said Heath Peterson, president of the KU Alumni Association. “Together, we’re fueling innovation and fostering an even stronger entrepreneurial  culture.” 

The next members-only pitch event is planned for March.

Click here for more information about the Oread Angel Investors network — including how to join as an investor or how to pitch the group.

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