KCRise Fund

KCRise Fund, established in 2016 by Darcy Howe, is a venture capital firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. It operates as a for-profit initiative under the broader KCRising vision, aimed at enhancing the economic capacity of the greater Kansas City area. The firm focuses on investing in seed-stage and early-stage companies within Kansas and the western half of Missouri, targeting sectors such as information technology, advanced manufacturing, augmented reality, cybersecurity, and e-commerce. KCRise Fund collaborates with institutional venture capital investors and is supported by a diverse group of investors, including corporations, university endowments, and local business leaders. As of now, KCRise Fund manages $70 million in committed capital and has launched KCRise Fund II to further its investment activities.

Darcy Howe

Founder and Managing Director

Liam Reilly

Principal

48 past transactions

Novel Capital

Seed Round in 2022
Novel Capital’s fintech funding platform breaks down the traditional growth barriers faced by today’s B2B software companies. Their tech-first approach makes it easy for customers to leverage future recurring revenue for immediate access to non-dilutive capital. Paired with online data-driven insights and curated learning resources, the Novel platform empowers entrepreneurs to capitalize on their momentum. Novel Capital aims to support entrepreneurs and growing businesses by offering flexible, non-dilutive capital solutions that help them scale without giving up equity. The company's innovative approach aims to empower entrepreneurs and foster a thriving startup ecosystem.

Indexer.xyz

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Indexer.xyz is an developer platform providing a middleware for applications and blockchains to efficiently communicate with one another. Our goal is to accelerate Web3 adoption be helping developers go-to-market quicker with their products leveraging our API as the backend of their applications.

Realto

Series A in 2022
Realto is an online real estate investment marketplace that helps people invest in real estate properties. The company also offers a platform that facilitates secondary trading of traditionally illiquid real estate and alternative securities, helping investors to transform and democratize real estate assets through liquidity and transparency.

Generation Esports

Series B in 2022
Generation Esports provides an innovative platform for schools, businesses, clubs, and communities to compete in esports.

WorkTorch

Pre Seed Round in 2021
WorkTorch is a career discovery platform for the service economy workforce. We partner with job seekers to find career fulfillment by finding the right job and advancement opportunities. This unique approach helps us provide a better engaged and aligned talent pool for employers.

Boddle

Seed Round in 2021
Boddle is a game-based learning platform that helps K-12 teachers assess and differentiate their students’ learning to improve academic outcomes in STEM. The platform uses gameplay and adaptive learning technology to engage students for growth while turning student responses into actionable reports for teachers. Boddle was established in February, 2018 in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Edna Martinson, and Clarence Tan.

TripleBlind

Series A in 2021
TripleBlind has created the most complete and scalable solution for privacy enhancing computation. The TripleBlind solution is software-only and delivered via a simple API. It solves for a broad range of use cases, with current focus on healthcare and financial services. The company is backed by Accenture, General Catalyst and The Mayo Clinic. TripleBlind’s innovations build on well understood principles, such as federated learning and multi-party compute. Our innovations radically improve the practical use of privacy preserving technology, by adding true scalability and faster processing, with support for all data and algorithm types. TripleBlind natively supports major cloud platforms, including availability for download and purchase via cloud marketplaces. TripleBlind unlocks the intellectual property value of data, while preserving privacy and ensuring compliance with HIPAA and GDPR. TripleBlind compares favorably with other privacy preserving technologies, such as homomorphic encryption, synthetic data, and tokenization and has documented use cases for more than two dozen mission critical business problems.

Vytelle

Series A in 2021
Vytelle is a precision livestock company reshaping how cattle producers worldwide optimize their herds. The company's integrated technology platform leverages reproductive technology via industry specialists and veterinarian licensees to develop embryos using a proprietary culture system that does not use fetal calf serum, resulting in freezable embryos that allow commercial producers to obtain generations of genetic gains that are sustainable for animals.

eHawk

Seed Round in 2021
eHawk is a monitoring platform that helps supervise criminal defendants. The company RePath App is utilized to electronically supervise the criminal justice population previously omitted from any electronic monitoring platform. It leverages the power of the internet and smartphone technology with its proprietary algorithm to create a completely new way to manage large populations of individuals at an extremely affordable price. Using an installed app on an offender's phone, RePath collects verification and location data for each enrollee.

Cariloop

Series B in 2021
Cariloop is a B2B Dallas-based company that helps families manage their loved ones' care needs by connecting them to a comprehensive caregiver support platform. Our experienced Care Coaches provide personalized guidance and professional support, while our digital platform provides easy access to robust collaboration tools and critical caregiving resources. We help reduce stress and burnout for caregivers, and helps employers drive increased employee productivity, reduced absenteeism, and 2x ROI.

Daupler

Venture Round in 2021
Daupler develops a response management system for utilities, public works, and other service organizations. It is designed to reduce workload while collecting accurate data and insight into response operations. It coordinates and documents response efforts to water main breaks, power outages, gas leaks, sewer stoppages, street obstructions, and other service outages.

Dynamhex

Seed Round in 2021
Dynamhex monitors and visualizes complex energy consumption data for individual, corporate and government entities. By linking to science-based emission reduction targets, Dynamhex allows climate leaders to make data-driven decisions in a timely fight against climate change.

TripleBlind

Seed Round in 2021
TripleBlind has created the most complete and scalable solution for privacy enhancing computation. The TripleBlind solution is software-only and delivered via a simple API. It solves for a broad range of use cases, with current focus on healthcare and financial services. The company is backed by Accenture, General Catalyst and The Mayo Clinic. TripleBlind’s innovations build on well understood principles, such as federated learning and multi-party compute. Our innovations radically improve the practical use of privacy preserving technology, by adding true scalability and faster processing, with support for all data and algorithm types. TripleBlind natively supports major cloud platforms, including availability for download and purchase via cloud marketplaces. TripleBlind unlocks the intellectual property value of data, while preserving privacy and ensuring compliance with HIPAA and GDPR. TripleBlind compares favorably with other privacy preserving technologies, such as homomorphic encryption, synthetic data, and tokenization and has documented use cases for more than two dozen mission critical business problems.

Kenzen

Corporate Round in 2021
Kenzen’s Mission is to harness the power of physiology data to predict and prevent industrial workforce injuries and improve productivity.

AstrumU

Series A in 2020
AstrumU is creating a new paradigm for the ‘Learn+Work’ Lifecycle based on outcomes. The 'AstrumU Platform' provides predictive insights by using artificial intelligence to translate data from students, schools and employers—delivering meaningful and lasting careers discovered through facts, not fortune.

Degree Insurance Co.

Seed Round in 2020
40% of students who start college this fall won't finish. We can do better. Degree guarantees a student's income in the 5-years following graduation through their development of a novel insurance product. This encourages students to enroll, and importantly, to complete their education.

Cariloop

Series A in 2020
Cariloop is a B2B Dallas-based company that helps families manage their loved ones' care needs by connecting them to a comprehensive caregiver support platform. Our experienced Care Coaches provide personalized guidance and professional support, while our digital platform provides easy access to robust collaboration tools and critical caregiving resources. We help reduce stress and burnout for caregivers, and helps employers drive increased employee productivity, reduced absenteeism, and 2x ROI.

Super Dispatch

Venture Round in 2020
Super Dispatch allows trucking companies eliminate paper forms and streamline their operation. Mobile Apps replace paper forms used by truck drivers, while the Web Platform let's trucking companies manage loads, driver, and billing. Super Dispatch is a team of individuals passionate about creating products and services for transportation and logistics industry. They like making things efficient, cost effective, and sustainable.

SquareOffs

Pre Seed Round in 2019
SquareOffs is The Opinion Network™, the platform for collecting, comparing, and sharing opinion.

Spear Power Systems

Series B in 2019
Spear Power Systems designs and manufactures safe, reliable lithium-ion battery storage systems for demanding applications including defense, marine propulsion, oil & gas, and mining. The company has a wide range of energy storage systems suited to meet any demand. Their family of TRIDENT maritime batteries offers multiple cell chemistries in order to provide you with industry-leading energy density or ultra-high power density depending on the requirements of your application.

Daupler

Seed Round in 2019
Daupler develops a response management system for utilities, public works, and other service organizations. It is designed to reduce workload while collecting accurate data and insight into response operations. It coordinates and documents response efforts to water main breaks, power outages, gas leaks, sewer stoppages, street obstructions, and other service outages.

backstitch

Series A in 2019
Backstitch offers an employee experience platform designed for HR and internal communications teams. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

Bungii

Series A in 2019
We're a mobile app that connects users to local pickup trucks that help move, haul & deliver stuff around town. We've been compared to popular ridesharing apps but instead of moving people, we move people's stuff.

AstrumU

Seed Round in 2019
AstrumU is creating a new paradigm for the ‘Learn+Work’ Lifecycle based on outcomes. The 'AstrumU Platform' provides predictive insights by using artificial intelligence to translate data from students, schools and employers—delivering meaningful and lasting careers discovered through facts, not fortune.

Bellwethr

Seed Round in 2019
Bellwethr utilizes autonomous operating systems for roles throughout subscription-based businesses. Bellwethr started around the idea that machine learning and AI should be available to anyone, no matter their technical background.The business was founded in 2017 by Matt Moody, with the sole intention of making artificial intelligence simple enough for anyone to utilize it.

BacklotCars

Series B in 2019
BacklotCars allows auto dealers, auto finance, and rental car companies to transact without having to go to physical auctions. It provides vehicle inspections, transportation, and inventory finance services.

Zohr

Seed Round in 2019
We make tire replacement as easy as pushing a button. We sell, deliver and install new tires at your home or office.

Balance the Superfood Shot

Seed Round in 2018
Life Equals is a health supplement startup which sells vitamins and supplement products. Its first product line is premium health and nutrition products which focus on preventative health using bio-available and whole food blends. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Kansas City.

BacklotCars

Series A in 2018
BacklotCars allows auto dealers, auto finance, and rental car companies to transact without having to go to physical auctions. It provides vehicle inspections, transportation, and inventory finance services.

Idle Smart

Series A in 2018
Idle Smart is an automated engine start stop solution that maintains fleet up-time as well as reducing overnight idle time.

Main Street Data

Seed Round in 2018
Main Street Data is an ag-focused, data-driven product company that brings precise data science practices to agriculture. It transforms the agricultural industry by applying sophisticated analytical instruments to massive amounts of field data. It also develops and distributes products to the grain and cotton farmer marketplaces, the specialty crop segment, and large partners to leverage public and proprietary data to create services for the agriculture-based B2B food supply chain. The company's mission is to provide increasingly specific, faster, and more value-creating insights, tools, and solutions to lead the ​risk management and decision-making revolution across agriculture.

Idle Smart

Series A in 2018
Idle Smart is an automated engine start stop solution that maintains fleet up-time as well as reducing overnight idle time.

PayIt

Convertible Note in 2018
PayIt enables state and local government agencies to deliver a great resident payments experience that accelerates the shift to digital. Agencies choose PayIt to better achieve their mission through improved operational efficiency, customer support, and resident satisfaction. Our solutions span property tax, courts, utilities, DMV, outdoors, and more. PayIt provides a single resident profile across agencies and jurisdictions, integrates into back-office and adjacent systems, and our team helps clients drive adoption of digital channels. Serving more than 100 million residents in North America, we have received awards from Fast Company and StateScoop, and have been listed in the GovTech 100 for 7 years and counting. PayIt: Smarter for government. Easier for everyone.

ShotTracker

Series A in 2018
ShotTracker makes sensor-based technology that automatically captures basketball statistics in real-time during practices and games. At ShotTracker, they improve the performance of competitive athletes by bringing elite-level analytics to the masses. Their latest innovation, ShotTracker TEAM, captures real-time practice and game stats for basketball teams, and it's affordable for teams at every level of play.

Pepper

Funding Round in 2018
Pepper offers an IoT operating system and service delivery platform that empowers enterprises to deploy sophisticated IoT solutions. The introduction of billions of new connected devices (and other "things") requires a new user-experience paradigm—one that enables both consumers and enterprises the ability to effectively manage, control, and engage with their increasingly connected worlds. Pepper solves the problems associated with this increased complexity through the combination of its user operating system and service delivery platform.

Zego

Seed Round in 2017
Zego is the premier smart amenity platform for apartments. Smart apartments, simplified. Zego provides technology to engage with residents and sell additional services. Zego is a property technology company that frees management companies and community associations to go above and beyond for residents.

Site 1001

Series A in 2017
Site 1001 is a software developer using AI to revolutionize how buildings are run. The company’s Skylight Building Performance and Operations platform combines core building information, live building systems, sensors and “people-generated” information like work requests and comments, with artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to help make buildings truly “smart.” Property investors, owners, and managers tap Skylight-powered apps to reduce unplanned maintenance and downtime, lower operational costs, increase asset longevity and performance, maximize guest/tenant experience and increase a property’s value. Skylight customers include major hotel operators, casino/resort properties, performing arts centers, mixed-use commercial, and office building owners.
Bardavon Health Innovations is empowering quality healthcare decisions through networked technology, transparency, and communication. They work collaboratively to offer the first comprehensive approach to workers’ compensation programs for managing the entire life-cycle of the employee, from hire to retire.

SquareOffs

Convertible Note in 2017
SquareOffs is The Opinion Network™, the platform for collecting, comparing, and sharing opinion.

BacklotCars

Seed Round in 2017
BacklotCars allows auto dealers, auto finance, and rental car companies to transact without having to go to physical auctions. It provides vehicle inspections, transportation, and inventory finance services.

Dunami

Convertible Note in 2017
Dunami is a social media intelligence company specializing in helping its clients to navigate social media and other big data sources to figure out WHO and WHAT really matters to their business. This is achieved through the automated creation of large, relevant customer segments, called “channels”. Once these channels have been created, Dunami uses proprietary techniques to identify the most influential members of these channels and to help clients understand how to engage them. It was established in 2012 and is based in Overland Park, Kansas.

Pepper

Series B in 2017
Pepper offers an IoT operating system and service delivery platform that empowers enterprises to deploy sophisticated IoT solutions. The introduction of billions of new connected devices (and other "things") requires a new user-experience paradigm—one that enables both consumers and enterprises the ability to effectively manage, control, and engage with their increasingly connected worlds. Pepper solves the problems associated with this increased complexity through the combination of its user operating system and service delivery platform.

blooom

Series B in 2017
Founded by several Financial Advisors that had spent 15 years managing money for very wealthy clients, blooom has become of the nation’s fastest growing robo-advisors with a specific focus on helping any American with a workplace retirement account like a 401k or 403b. Blooom is a Registered Investment Advisor with the SEC, and aims to scale fiduciary best practices on low fees, and appropriate asset allocation and diversification, to millions of Americans who have workplace retirement accounts, yet no access to a financial advisor and no desire to "DIY it."

Pepper

Series B in 2016
Pepper offers an IoT operating system and service delivery platform that empowers enterprises to deploy sophisticated IoT solutions. The introduction of billions of new connected devices (and other "things") requires a new user-experience paradigm—one that enables both consumers and enterprises the ability to effectively manage, control, and engage with their increasingly connected worlds. Pepper solves the problems associated with this increased complexity through the combination of its user operating system and service delivery platform.

SpiderOak

Series A in 2016
SpiderOak develops a technology that eliminates entire categories of cyberattacks. It addresses the compliance, security, and usability needs of today’s environments to enable teams to complete their mission without having to make compromises. The company's products leverage a unique combination of Zero-Trust encryption and private Blockchain, delivering solutions with a level of confidentiality, integrity, and availability unavailable until today.

Innara Health

Venture Round in 2016
Innara Health is dedicated to developing a new generation of neonatal care technologies for preterm and full term infants and children with development needs. Their products enhance the quality of life for these infants, children and their families.

Dunami

Series A in 2016
Dunami is a social media intelligence company specializing in helping its clients to navigate social media and other big data sources to figure out WHO and WHAT really matters to their business. This is achieved through the automated creation of large, relevant customer segments, called “channels”. Once these channels have been created, Dunami uses proprietary techniques to identify the most influential members of these channels and to help clients understand how to engage them. It was established in 2012 and is based in Overland Park, Kansas.

SMRxT

Venture Round in 2016
SMRxT INC. develops a medication adherence platform that quantifies patient adherence behavior in real-time. The platform communicates actionable information to all stakeholders and facilitates immediate interventions. It intends to change the way the world looks at medication adherence by replacing the current retrospective standard with actionable real-time information. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is based in New York, New York.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.