EquipmentShare
KC ranks No. 11 among Midwest startup hubs; why it needs its own big news day to get VCs’ attention
Investors are looking for more big outcomes — from billion-dollar valuations to IPOs — and plentiful startups in the pipeline behind them, said Victor Gutwein, delivering the verdict on Kansas City for his firm’s 2026 ranking of Midwest startup cities. Cues from KC’s most competitive neighbors could help it move up the list, he added.
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…
Missouri Startup Weekend back with $45,000 in prizes, $600,000 in potential investment
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A flagship event for the state’s startup ecosystem is returning April 17-19 in a bid to help build Missouri’s next billion-dollar company, said Willy Schlacks, noting it’s a proven launch pad for future unicorns. “We still talk about that original Startup Weekend all the time,” said Schlacks, president and co‑founder of EquipmentShare…
IPO alert: EquipmentShare hits Nasdaq; Missouri unicorn says its staying true to its long-term vision
COLUMBIA, Mo. — With EquipmentShare’s debut Friday on the stock exchange, the Missouri-built leader in connected jobsite technology is advancing a decade-long blueprint for its growth, as well as productivity, efficiency and collaboration across the construction industry, said Jabbok Schlacks. “Our vision since we founded EquipmentShare more than 10 years ago was to transform the…
EquipmentShare launches new flagship store with $21M investment in Grain Valley
A Missouri unicorn is building impact even closer to Kansas City, opening its new 49,000-square-foot Midwest hub for construction and industrial work in eastern Jackson County. The project reflects an investment of more than $21 million by Columbia, Missouri-based EquipmentShare, said Jabbok Schlacks, CEO and co-founder, describing the property costs, value of equipment and salaries…
