KCRise Fund

KCRise Fund, established in 2016 by Darcy Howe, is a Kansas City-based venture capital firm dedicated to fostering regional economic growth. It invests in early-stage companies across Kansas and western Missouri, focusing on sectors such as information technology, business services, and advanced manufacturing. KCRise Fund typically co-invests with other institutional investors, committing between $200,000 to $500,000 per company. Its investors include corporations, university endowments, family offices, and prominent local business leaders. As of 2019, KCRise Fund has raised over $70 million across its funds, with a focus on software and technology sectors in its latest fund, KCRise Fund III.

Aaliyah Aramjoo

Analyst

Darcy Howe

Founder and Managing Director

Liam Reilly

Principal

Past deals in Kansas

Sailes

Series A in 2023
Sailes is a global technology company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. It specializes in AI-driven sales enablement software designed to enhance productivity for sales leaders worldwide. The company's patent-pending Sailebots automate millions of prospecting tasks annually, enabling sales teams to focus on closing deals rather than manual research. Currently operational in 29 countries and multiple languages, Sailes' platform automates the entire prospecting lifecycle, including contact discovery, meeting scheduling, data cleansing, and document summarization. This results in increased revenue opportunities and improved efficiency for clients across diverse industries.

Sailes

Seed Round in 2022
Sailes is a global technology company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. It specializes in AI-driven sales enablement software designed to enhance productivity for sales leaders worldwide. The company's patent-pending Sailebots automate millions of prospecting tasks annually, enabling sales teams to focus on closing deals rather than manual research. Currently operational in 29 countries and multiple languages, Sailes' platform automates the entire prospecting lifecycle, including contact discovery, meeting scheduling, data cleansing, and document summarization. This results in increased revenue opportunities and improved efficiency for clients across diverse industries.

Novel Capital

Seed Round in 2022
Novel Capital, founded in 2018 and based in Mission, Kansas, is a fintech company that offers innovative funding solutions tailored for early-stage B2B software companies. By leveraging a tech-first approach, Novel Capital enables its customers to access non-dilutive capital based on future recurring revenue, effectively breaking down traditional growth barriers. The platform also provides online data-driven insights and curated learning resources, empowering entrepreneurs to capitalize on their momentum and scale their businesses without relinquishing equity. Through its flexible revenue-based financing and operational sales expertise, Novel Capital aims to foster a thriving startup ecosystem and support the growth of emerging businesses.

TripleBlind

Series A in 2021
TripleBlind operates an online platform that enables entities to collaborate on sensitive data and algorithms without compromising privacy. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company provides a software-only solution delivered via a simple API. This solution focuses on healthcare and financial services, leveraging principles like federated learning and multi-party compute to enhance scalability and processing speed. TripleBlind supports major cloud platforms and ensures compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR, making it a robust tool for unlocking the intellectual property value of data while preserving privacy. The company is backed by notable investors including Accenture, General Catalyst, and The Mayo Clinic.

TripleBlind

Seed Round in 2021
TripleBlind operates an online platform that enables entities to collaborate on sensitive data and algorithms without compromising privacy. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company provides a software-only solution delivered via a simple API. This solution focuses on healthcare and financial services, leveraging principles like federated learning and multi-party compute to enhance scalability and processing speed. TripleBlind supports major cloud platforms and ensures compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR, making it a robust tool for unlocking the intellectual property value of data while preserving privacy. The company is backed by notable investors including Accenture, General Catalyst, and The Mayo Clinic.

Super Dispatch

Venture Round in 2020
Super Dispatch is a software company based in Kansas City, Kansas, founded in 2013. It specializes in providing automation solutions for the car hauler industry, serving carriers, brokers, and shippers. The company's flagship product, Super Dispatch, offers a suite of tools including Super Loadboard for booking loads and finding vetted carriers, Carrier TMS for managing loads, drivers, and billing, and Shipper TMS for automating and digitizing daily operations. Additionally, Super Dispatch provides mobile apps to replace paper forms used by truck drivers and a web platform for managing loads, drivers, and billing. The company's mission is to streamline the auto transportation process, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable.

SquareOffs

Pre Seed Round in 2019
SquareOffs LLC is a company based in Kansas City, Kansas, founded in 2012. It operates The Opinion Network™, a cloud-based debate platform designed to facilitate interactive polls and user-generated debates on various topics. This platform allows publishers, bloggers, and brands to engage their audiences more effectively by encouraging social voting and discussion. SquareOffs serves customers globally, providing a space for readers and writers to share and vote on opinions, thereby driving engagement, readership, revenue, and insight. The company focuses on creating contagious content formats that spark meaningful conversations around sports, politics, entertainment, and other debates.

backstitch

Series A in 2019
Backstitch Inc. is a Kansas City-based company founded in 2012 that specializes in a platform for personalized employee communications. The platform serves business communicators by enabling them to create tailored communications for their teams, providing features such as push notifications, internal content, and industry news. Additionally, Backstitch's platform helps users analyze trends and behaviors, identify departmental allies, and measure the return on investment of their communications and engagement efforts. The company also develops an application that integrates a curated media monitoring platform, further enhancing its offerings for HR and internal communications teams.

Bellwethr

Seed Round in 2019
Bellwethr Inc. is a technology company that specializes in customer decision optimization through its innovative platform, which leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Wamego, Kansas, Bellwethr aims to simplify the use of advanced technologies, making them accessible to individuals regardless of their technical expertise. The platform automates personalized, next-best actions tailored to critical events in the customer journey, enhancing customer retention and lifetime value. By focusing on data-driven solutions, Bellwethr supports subscription-based businesses in optimizing processes throughout the customer lifecycle, facilitating the attraction of new leads while ensuring the retention of existing customers.

Zohr

Seed Round in 2019
Zohr, Inc. is a retail and service company specializing in tires, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The company provides a range of services, including tire replacement, tire rotation, tire pressure monitoring system checks, flat tire repair, and fleet services. Zohr operates multiple locations across Kansas and Missouri, making it accessible to a broad customer base. The company has developed an online platform that simplifies the tire purchasing process, allowing customers to order tires for delivery and installation at their home or office. This service-oriented approach aims to enhance convenience for vehicle owners while ensuring competitive pricing for quality tire services.

Balance the Superfood Shot

Seed Round in 2018
Balance the Superfood Shot is a health supplement company based in Kansas City that specializes in nutritional products aimed at promoting daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Founded in 2011, the company offers premium health and nutrition solutions that emphasize preventative health through bio-available and whole food blends. Its flagship product line includes shelf-stable tonics that provide consumers with half a day's serving of organic fruits and vegetables, along with essential multivitamins and nutrients. By focusing on convenience and nutritional quality, Balance the Superfood Shot enables individuals to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Main Street Data

Seed Round in 2018
Main Street Data Corp is an innovative company based in Kansas City, Missouri, focused on revolutionizing the agricultural sector through advanced data analytics and machine learning. Established in 2016, the company develops a platform that consolidates both current and historical agronomic data, empowering farmers to benchmark their yield performance and enhance their return on investment. One of its key offerings, Validator, provides insights into yield, yield gaps, and ROI potential in quantifiable terms. By utilizing sophisticated analytical tools, Main Street Data transforms vast amounts of field data into actionable insights that cater to grain and cotton farmers, as well as specialty crop segments. The company's mission is to deliver precise, timely, and valuable insights that facilitate risk management and informed decision-making across the agricultural landscape, ultimately contributing to a more efficient food supply chain.

PayIt

Convertible Note in 2018
PayIt, LLC is a company that specializes in developing cloud-based software solutions aimed at modernizing government payment processes for constituents. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, PayIt provides a digital platform that enhances the payment experience for state and local government agencies. Its services cover various areas, including property taxes, courts, utilities, and public safety, facilitating a seamless and secure digital payment system across web, desktop, and mobile interfaces. PayIt's technology integrates with existing back-office systems and creates a unified resident profile, thereby improving operational efficiency and resident satisfaction. The company has garnered recognition for its innovative approach, serving over 100 million residents across North America and receiving awards for its contributions to government technology.

ShotTracker

Series A in 2018
ShotTracker Inc. is a technology company that specializes in sensor-based solutions for basketball, designed to enhance player performance through real-time data analysis. Founded in 2013 and based in Merriam, Kansas, the company offers a comprehensive system that includes a wrist sensor, net sensor, and a mobile application compatible with various Bluetooth-enabled iOS and select Android devices. ShotTracker's innovative platform automatically tracks shot attempts, makes, and misses during practices and games, providing coaches and players with valuable statistics to inform training and strategy. Its latest product, ShotTracker TEAM, is aimed at making elite-level analytics accessible and affordable for basketball teams at all levels, enabling them to improve their performance through data-driven insights.

Zego

Seed Round in 2017
Zego Inc., founded in 2017 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, specializes in developing a smart amenity platform designed specifically for apartments. The company's application connects residents with management, maintenance services, and a marketplace for local amenities through a single interface. This technology aims to enhance resident engagement and facilitate the sale of additional services, ultimately benefiting both property management companies and community associations.

Bardavon Health Innovations

Series A in 2017
Bardavon Health Innovations, LLC specializes in healthcare technology and services specifically designed for managing workers’ compensation cases. Established in 2013 and based in Overland Park, Kansas, the company offers a comprehensive approach to workers’ compensation, facilitating the management of the entire employee lifecycle, from hire to retirement. Its technology connects employers with essential tools and information, enabling informed decisions regarding employees in injury risk positions. Bardavon’s solutions enhance communication among therapy providers, referral sources, and other stakeholders, while simplifying reporting, data tracking, and job analysis. The company’s product offerings include bNOTES, bNOTES Connect, Telerehabilitation, Clinical Consulting, Job Analysis, Post-Offer Employment Testing, and XRTS Effort Assessment. By providing real-time updates on patient status and justifying the need for therapy treatment, Bardavon aims to empower quality healthcare decisions through improved transparency and collaboration.

SquareOffs

Convertible Note in 2017
SquareOffs LLC is a company based in Kansas City, Kansas, founded in 2012. It operates The Opinion Network™, a cloud-based debate platform designed to facilitate interactive polls and user-generated debates on various topics. This platform allows publishers, bloggers, and brands to engage their audiences more effectively by encouraging social voting and discussion. SquareOffs serves customers globally, providing a space for readers and writers to share and vote on opinions, thereby driving engagement, readership, revenue, and insight. The company focuses on creating contagious content formats that spark meaningful conversations around sports, politics, entertainment, and other debates.

Dunami

Convertible Note in 2017
Dunami, Inc. is a company focused on developing real-time data analysis software tailored for the intelligence, defense, and law enforcement sectors. Established in 2012 and originally named PATHAR, Inc., the company rebranded as Dunami in December 2017. With a base in Overland Park, Kansas, Dunami specializes in social media intelligence, assisting clients in navigating social media and big data sources to determine key audience segments. The company utilizes advanced proprietary mathematics to analyze social media networks, creating relevant customer segments known as "channels." These channels help identify influential members and enable clients to effectively engage with them. In addition to software solutions, Dunami offers end-to-end analytical and training services, producing reports, presentations, and assessments on various analytical topics.

Blooom

Series B in 2017
Blooom, Inc. is an online investment advisory firm based in Leawood, Kansas, founded in 2013. Specializing in managing individual participant accounts in employer-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s, it aims to provide accessible financial advice to a broad audience. The company employs financial technology to deliver investment analysis, portfolio adjustments, and risk management strategies, catering specifically to Americans who lack access to traditional financial advisors. Blooom operates as a Registered Investment Advisor, focusing on fiduciary best practices while maintaining low fees. Its mission is to assist individuals in optimizing their retirement savings and planning for their financial future in an efficient and user-friendly manner.

SpiderOak

Series A in 2016
SpiderOak, Inc. is a cybersecurity company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with an additional office in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2007, SpiderOak develops technology aimed at mitigating various categories of cyberattacks while addressing compliance, security, and usability needs. Its flagship product, SpiderOak CrossClave, enables secure file exchange and synchronization through no knowledge encryption, allowing users to share sensitive data safely. The company also offers The SpiderOak, a secure messaging and file-sharing solution, and SpiderOak One Backup, a desktop application for data backup across multiple operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as mobile platforms. Furthermore, SpiderOak provides enterprise-level solutions such as SpiderOak Enterprise Backup, which focuses on ransomware protection and disaster recovery. The company serves a diverse clientele that includes defense and intelligence sectors, civilian government, government contractors, and enterprises, emphasizing confidentiality, integrity, and availability in its offerings.

Innara Health

Venture Round in 2016
Innara Health, Inc. is a company focused on developing innovative neonatal care technologies aimed at improving the health and development of preterm and full-term infants, as well as children with developmental needs. The company is best known for its NTrainer System, a medical device designed to assist with the feeding of premature infants by promoting non-nutritive sucking skills and enhancing feeding outcomes. This device plays a crucial role in developmental feeding programs, allowing infants to engage in early and frequent nipping opportunities that help coordinate their suck, swallow, and breathe functions. Innara Health serves a wide range of stakeholders, including hospitals, neonatal intensive care units, clinicians, infants, children, and their families, with the goal of improving the quality of life for these vulnerable populations. Founded in 2006 and based in Olathe, Kansas, the company was previously known as KCBioMedix, Inc. before rebranding in 2013.

Dunami

Series A in 2016
Dunami, Inc. is a company focused on developing real-time data analysis software tailored for the intelligence, defense, and law enforcement sectors. Established in 2012 and originally named PATHAR, Inc., the company rebranded as Dunami in December 2017. With a base in Overland Park, Kansas, Dunami specializes in social media intelligence, assisting clients in navigating social media and big data sources to determine key audience segments. The company utilizes advanced proprietary mathematics to analyze social media networks, creating relevant customer segments known as "channels." These channels help identify influential members and enable clients to effectively engage with them. In addition to software solutions, Dunami offers end-to-end analytical and training services, producing reports, presentations, and assessments on various analytical topics.
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