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Key people at KCRise Fund.
KCRise Fund operates as a venture capital firm, specializing in early-stage technology companies with a strategic connection to the Kansas City region. The firm focuses on pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A equity rounds of at least $1 million, primarily targeting business-to-business opportunities. It employs a co-investment model, partnering with institutional investors to provide capital and support.
Darcy Howe established KCRise Fund in 2016, driven by an identified need for strategic capital within the Kansas City startup ecosystem. Her insight focused on cultivating local entrepreneurship and scaling businesses. Edward Frindt serves as a Managing Director, contributing to the firm's strategic direction.
The firm's portfolio companies are early-stage technology ventures seeking growth capital within Kansas and western Missouri. KCRise Fund envisions itself as a pivotal force in the region's economic development, aspiring to be the leading venture capital presence dedicated to fostering its entrepreneurial landscape and maximizing the potential of local companies.
Key people at KCRise Fund.
KCRise Fund is a venture capital firm managing over $100 million, focused on investing in early-stage technology companies primarily in the Kansas City region and surrounding areas. Its mission is to foster economic prosperity in this region by supporting startups with high growth potential, particularly in pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A rounds. The fund is industry-agnostic but emphasizes sectors such as Supply Chain/Logistics, Automotive, GovTech, FinTech, Benefits/HR, and Digital Health. By co-investing alongside established venture capital firms and leveraging a strong local network, KCRise Fund plays a pivotal role in accelerating the startup ecosystem in the Midwest, connecting companies to resources, customers, and capital[1][2][3].
Founded in 2016 as an initiative of KC Rising, an economic development organization, KCRise Fund was created to stimulate early-stage investment in Kansas City-based companies. The fund is led by Managing Director Darcy A. Howe, with board members including Toby Rush (founder of EyeVerify) and Ron LeMay (OpenAir Equity Partners). Since its inception, the fund has attracted $15.3 million in capital and invested $3.75 million across ten portfolio companies, contributing to nearly $50 million raised collectively by these startups. The fund’s focus has evolved to emphasize strategic regional investments with a requirement that portfolio companies have significant operations in Kansas or western Missouri and seek at least $1 million in Series A funding with VC backing[2][3].
KCRise Fund rides the trend of regional venture capital growth, focusing on building a strong startup ecosystem outside traditional coastal hubs. The timing is critical as the Midwest gains recognition for innovation in logistics, FinTech, and health tech, sectors well represented in KCRise’s portfolio. Market forces such as increasing corporate interest in regional innovation, availability of local talent, and rising startup activity favor the fund’s model. By concentrating investments in Kansas City and nearby areas, KCRise Fund helps decentralize tech innovation, fostering economic diversification and resilience in the broader U.S. tech landscape[1][2][4].
Looking ahead, KCRise Fund is poised to expand its influence by continuing to attract capital and co-investors while deepening its engagement with the regional startup ecosystem. Trends such as digital transformation in logistics, health technology advancements, and FinTech innovation will likely shape its investment focus. As the Kansas City region matures as a tech hub, KCRise Fund’s role as a catalyst for early-stage growth and regional economic development is expected to strengthen, potentially serving as a model for other regional venture funds aiming to bridge local startups with national and global capital[1][2][3].
