Tag: John Fein

Brian King, Realto

KC investors power $4.5M round for OP startup poised to ‘unlock billions’ for its customers

By Tommy Felts / May 5, 2022

Overland Park-based Realto has closed a $4.5 million funding round — thanks in large part to the backing of Kansas City-based investors.  “We’re excited to welcome these important investors as we continue to expand our robust trading capabilities across the universe of alternative products,” Brian King, co-founder and CEO, said in announcement of the funding round which…

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Leo Morton, DeBruce Companies

Firebrand Ventures closes $40M seed fund for ‘authentic’ founders in emerging communities; adds Leo Morton as advisor

By Tommy Felts / August 26, 2021

A year after two prominent venture capital firms announced their merger, the consolidated Firebrand Ventures II is officially closed — reaching its $40 million target and having already invested in startups from Detroit, Seattle and Toronto. “Several years ago we raised our first funds — Boulder-based Blue Note Ventures and Kansas City-based Firebrand Ventures I —…

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John Fein and Chris Marks, Firebrand Ventures

$40M Firebrand II fund strengthened by Kansas City VC’s merger with Boulder firm, leaders say 

By Tommy Felts / August 3, 2020

Merging two venture capital funds focused on one startup-rich portfolio is expected to create a larger platform for founders in up-and-coming markets, said Chris Marks. “While a merger is unique in the venture world, this feels very natural based on our overlap in values, our shared commitment to supporting authentic leaders, and our similar focus…

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Nick Bowden, Replica

Replica’s $11M round: Alphabet-owned urban planning tool hits the streets as KC-based spinout

By Tommy Felts / September 13, 2019

Kansas City is suddenly home to a new, heavy-hitter-backed startup with a built-in $11 million in Series A funding, Nick Bowden announced Thursday. Replica — a next-generation urban planning tool by Sidewalk Labs (itself a smart city firm owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google) — has been spun out into its own standalone…

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Maranda Manning, Ryan Merket and John Fein, Firebrand Ventures

With new partner, Firebrand ramps up ‘founder-focused’ culture, aims to double fund

By Tommy Felts / March 11, 2019

Firebrand Ventures is the right culture fit at the right time, said serial entrepreneur Ryan Merket. Joining the Kansas City-based venture firm as a partner alongside John Fein, Merket brings a wealth of experience from his time at Facebook, Reddit and Amazon, as well as five years as an angel investor, he said. “Looking at…

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