Funding Stories

Techstars prescribes $220K investment, credibility boost for KC healthtech startup 

“It’s a point of validation that somebody else thinks highly enough of the vision we’ve set,” said Dr. Brandy Archie. “We think we can grow to be a force and make a big change in the world, and they back that with dollars and see that possibility.”

Just funded: Meet 6 new Sandbox startups poised to impact digital health, AI innovation

A fresh round of novel technology concepts — ranging from deterring AI-powered surveillance to supporting families raising autistic children — are among the latest to earn proof-of-concept backing from Digital Sandbox KC.

KC GIFT pitch competition winner smiling on stage, celebrating innovation and teamwork.

Winning chemistry: KC GIFT pitch competition rewards joy on stage, work behind the scenes

Earning a $30,000 grand prize over the weekend closed out a six-week process for LaToya Ebony Sirls and other founders who were pushed to refine not just how they present, but how they build.

Woman smiling at a conference, representing Kauffman-funded entrepreneurial projects.

Kauffman funds 46 more project, research grants; many boosting early entrepreneurship 

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation recently announced its latest tranche grantees, investing in community-centered solutions that dovetail with its strategic focus on college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship.

Redbud VC drops $25M Fund II in its attempt to ‘out-hustle the market’ for top talent, Midwest unicorns

A new $25 million fund for Columbia-based Redbud VC is expected to help identify and develop top-tier, pre-seed innovators before they head to the coasts to find more abundant capital, said Brett Calhoun. “There isn’t an underground hacker house pumping out unicorn founders,” said Calhoun, general partner at Redbud VC, in a blog post. “The…