Tag: Zego

Two years after top KC startup’s sale, Zego (and its new owner) acquired for nearly $1B

By Tommy Felts / June 18, 2021

The company that acquired Kansas City-based Zego in 2019 — and liked the real estate tech startup’s brand so much it changed its own identity to match — has itself now been purchased by a global “powerhouse” in an all-cash transaction valued at $925 million. Zego — formerly PayLease — announced the acquisition by Global…

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Lesa Mitchell, Techstars Kansas City

Expanded Techstars role means more eyes on KC, Lesa Mitchell says; accelerator returns in June

By Tommy Felts / March 16, 2021

Lesa Mitchell’s promotion within Techstars — a Boulder, Colorado-based accelerator network with global reach — is a value-add for Kansas City, she said Monday. The outgoing managing director of Techstars’ local program also teased the popular accelerator’s summer return. “My new role simply means we have more Techstars staff in KC,” said Mitchell, Techstars’ newly announced…

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Darcy Howe and Ed Frindt, KCRise Fund II

KCRise closes $41M Fund II, plans to invest in 20 high-growth tech companies

By Tommy Felts / February 2, 2021

A newly closed, oversubscribed $41 million KCRise Fund II is poised to accelerate regional growth with an influx of talent and investment dollars for 20 high-growth technology companies benefitting Greater Kansas City, said Darcy Howe. And the work has already begun, the fund’s founder and managing director added. Before today’s closing announcement, Fund II had…

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Tristan Mace, parkermace

From the Big Apple to the Heartland: A fresh set of eyes sees why KC is poised for growth

By Tommy Felts / November 16, 2020

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Tristan Mace is an advisor to early-stage ventures, investment funds, and Fortune 500 companies, an occasional guest professor at The University of Texas, former corporate venture capitalist for Merck and AXA and a serial tech entrepreneur. Click here to read more about his…

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Zego Paylease

Nine months after KC startup’s exit, its new owner adopts ‘Zego’ name, identity

By Tommy Felts / February 11, 2020

Acquiring Kansas City-based Zego was a smart move for its new owner, the San Diego company said Tuesday — and a decision so impactful that the evolving tech platform is taking on the name and personality of the exited smart home startup. “We are excited to take the next steps in our company’s evolution,” said Dirk…

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