The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, established in the mid-1960s by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, is a prominent philanthropic organization based in Kansas City, Missouri, with assets of around $2 billion. The foundation's mission is to cultivate a society of economically independent individuals who actively engage in improving their communities. To achieve this vision, the Kauffman Foundation concentrates its efforts on two primary areas: education and entrepreneurship. These focus areas reflect Kauffman's belief in the interconnectedness of education and entrepreneurial spirit as essential components for fostering individual and community development.

Established in 2014 and headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, Kompass Kapital Management is a private equity firm specializing in expansion capital and growth capital investments. It typically invests between $3 million to $15 million, taking minority stakes in operating companies, partnerships, funds, financial instruments, and real assets.

Founded by Darcy Howe in 2016, KCRise Fund is a venture capital firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. It invests alongside other institutional investors in early-stage companies located in Kansas and the western half of Missouri. The fund focuses on sectors such as software, TMT, B2B products/services, energy, financial services, healthcare, and information technology.

Founded in 2013, Stray Dog Capital is a venture capital firm based in Leawood, Kansas. It specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on businesses that drive alternatives to the use of animals in the supply chain across food, beverage, and biotechnology sectors in the United States and Europe.

An early-stage venture capital firm investing $100k-$250k in US-based B2B Vertical SaaS and FinTech companies, focusing on principled entrepreneurs solving real problems.

Five Elms Capital is a Kansas City, Missouri-based growth equity firm focused on technology-facing, B2B software companies. Founded in 2007, it provides capital and resources to help fast-growing software businesses scale and strengthen their market leadership. The firm operates globally, managing over $2.4 billion in assets and supported by a global team of more than 70 investment professionals, with a track record of backing more than 65 software platforms.

Founded in 2008, OPENAIR Equity Partners is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in mobile/wireless and connected device startups within the technology sector.

Nueterra Capital is a venture capital investment firm based in Leawood, Kansas, founded in 1997. The firm focuses on investing exclusively in early and growth-stage healthcare companies, aiming to empower entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary capital, resources, and expertise to drive innovation in the healthcare sector. By aligning its investments with the needs of these companies, Nueterra Capital facilitates business expansion and the creation of new growth opportunities. In addition to healthcare, the firm has interests in consumer products and services, real estate, and technology sectors.

The Kansas Bioscience Authority is a venture capital provider focused on advancing bioscience innovations across various sectors, including agribusiness, animal health, human health, and life sciences technology. With the largest concentration of animal health companies globally, Kansas serves as a hub for groundbreaking research in oncology, information technology, medical devices, and other critical areas impacting human health. The authority leverages the state's strong agricultural heritage to foster advancements that benefit both the bioscience industry and the broader economy.

Leawood Venture Capital, established in 2016, is a Kansas-based private equity firm specializing in early-stage investments in tech companies across the United States. With a team comprising successful founders and experienced business operators, the firm leverages its extensive market and technology expertise to add value to its portfolio. Focusing on sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, Leawood Venture Capital has invested in over 25 companies since its inception.

Firebrand Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and based in Kansas City, Missouri, with additional offices in Austin and Boulder. It concentrates on early-stage investments in software and technology startups, with a preference for companies in the United States and Canada and for opportunities arising in communities underserved by traditional venture capital. The firm supports early-stage companies as they scale, focusing on software and technology sectors.

Novel Capital is a fintech funding platform that provides non-dilutive, revenue-based financing to B2B software companies. It centers on future recurring revenue, enabling entrepreneurs to access capital immediately without giving up equity. The platform pairs capital with data-driven insights and learning resources to help growth-stage businesses accelerate scale. Using key company data points and financial metrics, it delivers capital, resources, and strategic support tailored to recurring-revenue models, helping ventures grow faster while preserving ownership. The company aims to support entrepreneurs and growing businesses with flexible funding solutions aligned to revenue streams and momentum, contributing to a thriving startup ecosystem.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

Established in 1892, Sunflower Bank is a comprehensive financial institution headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It offers a range of personal banking services including checking and savings accounts, mortgages, and loans. For businesses, the bank provides deposit services, loans, treasury management solutions, and trust and wealth management services.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. serves as the bank holding company for Equity Bank, a commercial bank based in Wichita, Kansas. Founded in 2002, the bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services primarily targeting businesses, business owners, and individuals. It accepts various deposits, including demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. The bank's loan offerings encompass commercial loans, real estate-backed financing, working capital loans, and various consumer loans, catering to a diverse clientele that includes national and regional companies, restaurant franchisees, hoteliers, and agribusinesses. Additionally, Equity Bank provides a suite of online and mobile banking solutions, debit card services, and treasury management options. As of December 31, 2019, the bank operated 52 full-service branches across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, making it a significant player in the regional banking landscape.

Koch Industries is a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, with subsidiaries involved in manufacturing, refining, trading, and investments. The company operates in core industries including the manufacture and distribution of petroleum, chemicals, energy, fiber, intermediates and polymers, minerals, and fertilizers, as well as pulp and paper, chemical technology equipment, ranching, finance, and commodities trading. Its portfolio includes Invista, Georgia-Pacific, Flint Hills Resources, Koch Pipeline, Koch Fertilizer, Koch Minerals, and Matador Cattle Company, reflecting a broad footprint across materials, energy, and consumer and industrial sectors. The group employs more than 100,000 people across more than 50 countries. Through investment arms such as Koch Equity Development and Koch Investments Group, the company pursues strategic acquisitions and venture initiatives to expand capabilities and value chains while maintaining a focus on innovation and vertical integration across its businesses.

Founded in 1996, MPM Capital is a global investment firm focused on the healthcare and life sciences sectors. It specializes in early-stage investments, typically ranging from $5 million to $50 million, with a primary focus on biotechnology, oncology, medical technology, and specialty pharma. The firm invests globally, with a concentration in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Riley Permian specializes in high-growth energy exploration in the Permian Basin, focusing on horizontal development of the San Andres Formation.

Custom Truck One Source, based in Kansas City and established in 1996 by the Ross family, is a leading provider of specialty equipment across various sectors including electric utility transmission and distribution, forestry, telecommunications, waste management, rail, and infrastructure in North America. As the largest independent truck dealer and body builder in the United States, the company operates nine facilities that specialize in the design, engineering, fabrication, parts, service, sales, and rental of a diverse range of equipment. Custom Truck One Source offers comprehensive solutions through its Equipment Rental Solutions, Truck and Equipment Sales, and Aftermarket Parts and Services segments, with the majority of its revenue generated from equipment sales. Known for its innovative contributions to the industry, the company has introduced features such as wireless remote controls and off-road axle configurations, solidifying its reputation for excellence in equipment solutions.

Physician Housecalls specializes in providing home-based primary care services across Oklahoma and Kansas. They offer chronic care management, wellness visits, behavioral health integration, and transition management services to patients in private homes and post-acute facilities.

Fulcrum Global Capital is a venture capital firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 2016, it focuses on investing in companies operating in agriculture, agtech, food production, food safety, food waste, and animal health.

C3 Capital Partners, LP is a private equity firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, with additional offices in Dallas, Texas. Established in 1994, the firm specializes in investing in small to middle-market companies across various sectors, including energy, healthcare, specialty chemicals, consumer products, and business services. C3 Capital focuses on growth capital, buyouts, industry consolidation, and recapitalization transactions, typically investing between $2 million and $15 million in companies with sales ranging from $10 million to $210 million and EBITDA between $1 million and $20 million. The firm prefers to take board representation but does not seek controlling stakes in its investments. C3 Capital has a history of investing over $300 million in 63 small businesses and is led by experienced principals with extensive backgrounds in private equity and management across several industries.

Great Range Capital is a Kansas-based private equity firm founded in 2010 that targets middle-market opportunities in the Midwest. Headquartered in Mission Woods, it pursues leveraged and management buyouts, mature and later-stage investments, industry consolidation, recapitalizations, build-ups, growth financings, and structured equity. The firm focuses on companies in business and industrial services, niche manufacturing, healthcare services and devices, retail and consumer, and media. It operates as a registered investment adviser and seeks to invest in companies with meaningful scale across the Midwest market.

Hostess Brands, Inc. is a packaged food company specializing in the development, manufacturing, marketing, sale, and distribution of fresh sweet baked goods across the United States. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, the company offers a diverse portfolio of products, including snack cakes, donuts, sweet rolls, breakfast pastries, cookies, and snack pies. Hostess operates through two primary segments: Sweet Baked Goods, which includes both fresh and frozen offerings under renowned brands such as Hostess, Dolly Madison, Cloverhill, and Big Texas, as well as store-branded products, and In-Store Bakery, which focuses on items like eclairs, madeleines, brownies, and iced cookies sold in grocery and club store bakery sections. Hostess Brands aims to deliver beloved treats to consumers, maintaining a strong presence in the North American market.

Midwest Growth Partners is a private investment firm that focuses on growth-stage companies.

St. Croix Hospice is a prominent provider of hospice services for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. With 21 office locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, the company offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support patients, their families, and caregivers. These services include physician care, nursing, hospice aide assistance, continuous care nursing during crises, social services, spiritual care, therapy, nutritional counseling, and routine medical check-ups. St. Croix Hospice focuses on enhancing the comfort and quality of life for those with terminal diagnoses while addressing their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.

DataBank Holdings, Ltd. is a data center and co-location company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with additional facilities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Eagan, Kansas City, and Atlanta. Founded in 2004, DataBank provides a comprehensive array of services, including co-location solutions that ensure security, power configurations, and cooling. The company also offers managed services such as cloud computing, virtual hosting, network connectivity, and security, along with consulting services that encompass design and implementation, migration, and continuity planning. DataBank emphasizes compliance with various industry standards, including those for payment card security and health data protection. Catering to a diverse clientele across sectors like healthcare, finance, gaming, and hospitality, DataBank is committed to optimizing IT environments and ensuring data availability for enterprises.

Prospect Capital Corporation is a publicly traded business development company that provides flexible private debt and equity capital to sponsor-owned and non-sponsor-owned middle-market companies in the United States and Canada. It originates and manages a range of investments, including secured and unsecured term loans, mezzanine debt, private debt and equity, and real estate investments (notably multifamily housing). It supports growth, acquisitions, recapitalizations and restructurings, often through sponsor-backed transactions as well as direct lending to owner-operated businesses. The firm targets middle-market opportunities across industries, with a history of financing across energy, industrials, and other sectors, and pursues both primary origination and secondary loan portfolios. It aims to deliver steady, attractive returns to shareholders by providing capital across the capital structure and leveraging a diversified investment approach.

Littlejohn Capital is a private equity firm based in Savannah, Georgia, that pursues control investments in small- to mid-sized North American companies undergoing strategic, operational, or generational transitions. The firm focuses on sectors including manufacturing, fabrication, processing, logistics, materials, services, business products, and business services, with an emphasis on mature businesses. It aims to acquire companies through management buyouts, corporate carve-outs, recapitalizations, add-on acquisitions, and restructurings, often partnering with co-investors. Target deal characteristics include investments of roughly $5 to $15 million, with co-investment support up to $30 million, in transactions valued from $20 to $75 million and with EBITDA between $2.0 million and $12.5 million. The firm concentrates on North American opportunities and generally seeks to take control positions to facilitate strategic and operational improvements.

United Capital Management of Kansas is a financial planning firm that provides financial leadership for fiscally prudent individuals. It offers sound advice on asset management, trust services, and insurance options. The synergies that emerge from this collaborative effort are what enable them to provide unparalleled service. The firm was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Salina, Kansas.

Unite Private Networks is a provider of high-bandwidth, fiber-based communications networks and services, catering to a diverse clientele that includes schools, governments, carriers, data centers, hospitals, and enterprise businesses across 21 states. Established in 1998 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company specializes in offering a range of services, including dark and lit fiber, private line, optical Ethernet, and Internet access. Additionally, Unite Private Networks provides customized solutions to ensure its clients benefit from reliable and uninterrupted network connectivity for their communication needs.

C2FO is a global platform facilitating fast, flexible access to low-cost capital for businesses. Using patented Name Your Rate® technology, it connects companies with large enterprises for early payments, unlocking billions in risk-free capital. Headquartered in Kansas City, USA, C2FO has delivered over $275 billion in funding worldwide since 2008.

DataLocker is a provider of encryption solutions specializing in data security for governments, military, and enterprises globally. Based in Overland Park, Kansas, the company offers a range of products designed to secure systems, media, external storage, and cloud services. Its technology includes ultra-portable data lockers, USB connection accessories, and cloud encryption gateways, all aimed at protecting data endpoints from cyberattacks. DataLocker's focus on combining convenience and usability with advanced security measures positions it as a leader in the field of data encryption.

Founded in 2006, UnitedLex is a global provider of technology-powered legal and business solutions. It offers services such as litigation support, electronic data discovery, document review, contract management, intellectual property solutions, compliance services, and law department consultancy to corporate clients and law firms worldwide.

Founded in 2017, Koch Disruptive Technologies is a venture capital firm based in Wichita, Kansas. It invests in promising entrepreneurs and technologies across industries to improve Koch Industries' existing businesses and create new opportunities.

Arvest Bank, established in 1961 and headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a regional bank operating over 250 branches across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. It offers a wide range of banking services, including loans, deposits, treasury management, credit cards, mortgage loans, and mortgage servicing. Arvest also provides investment and wealth management services through its subsidiary, Arvest Investments, Inc. The company is known for its local management structure, with each of its 16 markets having its own local board and management team, serving customers in over 120 communities. Arvest is recognized as an Equal Housing Lender and is a member of the FDIC.

Hallmark is an American brand based in Kansas City, Missouri, specializing in greeting cards, gifts, ornaments, and personalized products, including books and cards. Established in 1910, Hallmark has grown into a substantial business, generating approximately $4 billion in revenue. Its products are available in over 40,000 retail locations across the United States, including mass retailers and the chain of Hallmark Gold Crown stores. Additionally, Hallmark reaches a global audience through its website, retail partners, and its well-known television channels, including Hallmark Channels and Hallmark Hall of Fame movies. The brand offers its products in more than 30 languages and distributes them in 100 countries worldwide.

Block Real Estate Services, LLC is a comprehensive commercial real estate firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, with additional offices in Overland Park and Lenexa, Kansas, as well as various locations in Missouri. The company manages over 43 million square feet of retail, office, and industrial properties, and its affiliate, Block Multifamily Group, oversees 7,350 multifamily units for equity partnerships and third-party owners. Block Real Estate Services offers a wide range of services including owner representation, acquisition and disposition management, construction management, and property management. The firm also provides strategic advisory services, investment management, and consultation for technology systems. Established in 2004, Block Real Estate Services aims to deliver tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients in the commercial real estate market.

Spire Inc. is a public utility holding company based in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in the purchase, distribution, and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the United States. The company operates primarily through two segments: Gas Utility and Gas Marketing. Its Gas Utility segment provides safe and reliable natural gas services to over 1.13 million customers in St. Louis, eastern Missouri, Kansas City, and western Missouri. The Gas Marketing segment involves the marketing of natural gas and offers energy services to both regulated and non-regulated customers. In addition to its core natural gas operations, Spire engages in the transportation of propane, compression of natural gas, risk management, and physical natural gas storage services. Founded in 1857, Spire Inc. was originally known as The Laclede Group, Inc. until it rebranded in April 2016.

Stewart Capital Management is a private equity firm founded in 2006 and based in Overland Park, Kansas. It invests in middle-market manufacturing companies and focuses on opportunities in manufacturing, distribution, direct marketing, and restaurant and retail sectors.

TGP Investments, established in 1998 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is a merchant banking firm specializing in middle-market private equity investments. The firm, led by an experienced investment team, manages TGP Capital Partners, a private equity fund with $56.5 million under management. TGP Investments focuses on providing growth capital or facilitating liquidity events for well-managed, profitable, and growing companies in the manufacturing and business services sectors, with revenues typically ranging from $15 million to $150 million. The firm considers both control and minority equity investments, partnering with proven management teams, and usually invests between $5 million to $14 million per portfolio company.

NQV8 is a venture capital firm founded in 2017 and based in Manhattan, Kansas. The firm specializes in making equity investments in the pet industry, with a particular focus on innovations in pet food. By targeting emerging trends and advancements within this sector, NQV8 aims to support and promote the growth of businesses that enhance the quality of products and services available for pets.

QTS Realty Trust is a prominent provider of data center solutions, offering over 7 million square feet of owned data center space primarily in North America and Europe. The company delivers a range of services including colocation, monitoring, systems management, and managed services such as disaster recovery and application management. QTS supports a diverse clientele, including hyperscale technology companies, enterprises, and government entities, by providing secure and compliant infrastructure solutions. The company's extensive portfolio comprises 27 data centers and serves more than 1,200 customers. Established in 2000 and headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, QTS has facilities in various locations, including Kansas, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, and Indiana. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, QTS enhances its service offerings, positioning itself as a key player in the technology infrastructure sector.

CURO Financial Technologies Corp. is a technology-enabled, diversified consumer finance company serving underbanked consumers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It provides a range of short-term and consumer lending products, including payday, title and installment loans, and personal lines of credit, along with ancillary financial services such as check cashing, money transfers, money orders, prepaid cards, and cash for gold. The company operates through stores, online, and phone channels, supported by a unified omni-channel platform that integrates loan underwriting, scoring, servicing, collections, regulatory compliance, and reporting across store, online, mobile, and contact center touchpoints.

IMA Financial Group, Inc. is a prominent provider of risk management, insurance, employee benefits, and wealth management services. As the ninth largest privately held and employee-owned insurance broker in the United States, the firm employs approximately 650 associates across its offices in Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, New York, and Texas. IMA focuses on financial advisory strategies, goal-based planning, and retirement income modeling, ensuring that clients can achieve secure asset optimization and investment strategies. By balancing risk and return, IMA enables its customers to effectively manage their portfolios in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Triumph Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company based in Dallas, Texas, that operates TBK Bank, SSB, offering a wide range of banking and commercial finance products and services primarily to retail customers and small-to-mid-sized businesses across the United States. The company is organized into Banking, Factoring, and Corporate segments, providing depository products such as checking and savings accounts, as well as various types of loans including commercial, industrial, and real estate loans. Additionally, Triumph Bancorp offers factoring services, equipment financing, and consumer loans, alongside electronic banking, trust, treasury management, and insurance brokerage services. The company has a significant presence with branches in several states, including Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and Texas, along with loan production offices to support its diverse customer base.

Enterprise Bank & Trust is a Clayton, Missouri-based commercial bank focused on privately held businesses, offering commercial banking and wealth management services. The bank operates 28 branch offices across the St. Louis, Kansas City, and Phoenix metropolitan areas and provides a full range of business and personal banking products, along with trust and wealth services through its Enterprise Trust division. Enterprise Trust provides financial planning, estate planning, investment management, and trust services to businesses, individuals, institutions, retirement plans, and nonprofit organizations.

Founded in 1882, Saint Luke's Health System is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services, including physical, mental, and behavioral health. They are renowned for their heart transplant programs and cardiovascular disease research.

Brinker International, Inc. operates casual dining restaurants, primarily under the brands Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy. Chili's is known for its bar and grill offerings, featuring a menu that includes signature items such as slow-smoked baby back ribs, craft burgers, fajitas, and tableside guacamole. Maggiano's specializes in Italian cuisine, offering a diverse menu that includes appetizers, chicken, seafood, veal, prime steaks, and desserts. As of June 2013, Brinker International's system included 1,591 restaurants across 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as locations in various countries including Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. The company generates the majority of its revenue from the Chili's segment, reflecting its strong presence in the casual dining market.

Capital7 is a Midwestern private equity firm founded in 2019. Based in Wichita, Kansas, the company focuses on building true partnerships with management teams across various sectors including consumer products, energy, finance, healthcare, manufacturing & engineering, real estate, and software & services.