A blockchain-enabled solution from Venture360, called Liquifi, aims to unfreeze startups paralyzed by a lack of access to capital, Rachael Qualls said with excitement.
Rachael Qualls, Venture360, Liquifi
“The main reason more people don’t invest in private companies is there is no way to get money out,” said Qualls, CEO of Venture360. “On average money is tied up for 10-12 years.”
Part of a three-tier plan, executed over the past 12 years — a span that has included the launch of Angel Investor Group and Venture360 — Liquifi technology allows companies to solve capital’s “final frontier.” It’s a disruptive opportunity to build and control companies’ own private stock exchanges, initiate a capital raise, verify investors’ identities, execute closing documents, collect payments, and issue security tokens, Qualls explained.
“A very small number of people control the capital in private equity, and I think it’s important for companies to be able to access the capital they need to be successful,” she said of her latest venture, launched as a product of Venture360.
A LaunchKC finalist, Qualls pitched Liquifi to a panel of judges during Techweek Kansas City this month. The entrepreneur walked away with a $50,000 grant from the program, which is coordinated by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and the Downtown Council of Kansas City.
“Everything about building disruptive technology and bringing it to market is incredibly difficult,” Qualls said Monday, reflecting on her LaunchKC win. “Making it easy to buy and sell private company stock changes the innovation game.”
Qualls plans to use her prize money to amplify marketing efforts for Liquifi, in an industry that fears change, she said.
Click here for more on the 2018 LaunchKC winners.
Disrupting the industry further, Liquifi-enabled investors can invest using cryptocurrencies — another barrier removed between capital and startups, Qualls reiterated.
“I know this will level the playing field and bring more amazing technology to market for our society,” she said.
As Liquifi goes to market, Qualls said she feels an incredible sense of pride in her team and confidence in the ability of Liquifi to alter the way companies access asset created cash.
2018 LaunchKC winners
