Kompass Kapital Management LLC is a private equity firm based in Overland Park, Kansas, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in providing expansion and growth capital, focusing on investments in operating companies, partnerships, funds, financial instruments, and real assets. Kompass Kapital Management typically makes equity investments ranging from $3 million to $15 million, often preferring to acquire minority stakes in the companies in which it invests. The firm is dedicated to enhancing value and supporting the growth of its portfolio companies through strategic capital injection.

KCRise Fund, established in 2016 by Darcy Howe, is a Kansas City-based venture capital firm dedicated to fostering regional economic growth. It invests in early-stage companies across Kansas and western Missouri, focusing on sectors such as information technology, business services, and advanced manufacturing. KCRise Fund typically co-invests with other institutional investors, committing between $200,000 to $500,000 per company. Its investors include corporations, university endowments, family offices, and prominent local business leaders. As of 2019, KCRise Fund has raised over $70 million across its funds, with a focus on software and technology sectors in its latest fund, KCRise Fund III.

Accelerate Venture Partners, established in 2018 and based in Wichita, Kansas, is an angel group firm focused on investing in early-stage, high-growth potential companies within the Wichita and broader Midwest region. The firm, a program of NXTUS, offers more than just capital, providing entrepreneurs with connections, expertise, mentoring, and operational assistance to help them succeed.

Stray Dog Capital, established in 2013 and headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, is a private equity and venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments. It specializes in backing businesses that promote alternatives to animal use in supply chains, primarily in the food, beverage, and biotechnology sectors across the United States and Europe. The firm provides not only capital but also expertise and support to help these companies grow and succeed.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

Five Elms Capital, established in 2007 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is a global growth equity firm specializing in investments in fast-growing B2B software businesses. The firm provides capital and resources to accelerate growth and solidify industry leadership. With over $2.4 billion in assets under management and a team of over 70 investment professionals, Five Elms has invested in more than 65 software platforms globally, demonstrating a deep domain expertise and extensive network in the software sector.

OpenAir Equity Partners is a venture capital firm established in 2008 and based in Overland Park, Kansas. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, primarily targeting startups in the mobile, wireless, and connected device sectors within the technology industry. OpenAir Equity Partners aims to support innovative companies that seek to advance technology and enhance connectivity.

Nueterra Capital is a venture capital investment firm based in Leawood, Kansas, founded in 1997. The firm focuses on investing exclusively in early and growth-stage healthcare companies, aiming to empower entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary capital, resources, and expertise to drive innovation in the healthcare sector. By aligning its investments with the needs of these companies, Nueterra Capital facilitates business expansion and the creation of new growth opportunities. In addition to healthcare, the firm has interests in consumer products and services, real estate, and technology sectors.

The Kansas Bioscience Authority is a venture capital provider focused on advancing bioscience innovations across various sectors, including agribusiness, animal health, human health, and life sciences technology. With the largest concentration of animal health companies globally, Kansas serves as a hub for groundbreaking research in oncology, information technology, medical devices, and other critical areas impacting human health. The authority leverages the state's strong agricultural heritage to foster advancements that benefit both the bioscience industry and the broader economy.

Leawood Venture Capital, established in 2016, is a Kansas-based private equity firm specializing in early-stage investments in tech companies across the United States. With a team comprising successful founders and experienced business operators, the firm leverages its extensive market and technology expertise to add value to its portfolio. Focusing on sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, Leawood Venture Capital has invested in over 25 companies since its inception.

Firebrand Ventures, established in 2016, is a Kansas City-based venture capital firm focusing on early-stage, innovative software startups in the United States and Canada. The company operates from offices in Austin, Boulder, and Kansas City, aiming to support underserved communities by providing capital and resources to promising tech ventures.

Novel Capital, founded in 2018 and based in Mission, Kansas, is a fintech company that offers innovative funding solutions tailored for early-stage B2B software companies. By leveraging a tech-first approach, Novel Capital enables its customers to access non-dilutive capital based on future recurring revenue, effectively breaking down traditional growth barriers. The platform also provides online data-driven insights and curated learning resources, empowering entrepreneurs to capitalize on their momentum and scale their businesses without relinquishing equity. Through its flexible revenue-based financing and operational sales expertise, Novel Capital aims to foster a thriving startup ecosystem and support the growth of emerging businesses.

Sunflower Bank is a commercial banking institution founded in 1892 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with additional locations across Kansas and Missouri. The bank provides a wide range of financial services, including personal checking and savings accounts, mortgage options, and loans. For businesses, Sunflower Bank offers deposit accounts, loans, treasury management services, and trust and wealth management services. As a member of the FDIC, Sunflower Bank is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its customers' deposits while serving the financial needs of individuals and businesses alike. Sunflower Financial serves as the holding company for the bank.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. serves as the bank holding company for Equity Bank, a commercial bank based in Wichita, Kansas. Founded in 2002, the bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services primarily targeting businesses, business owners, and individuals. It accepts various deposits, including demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. The bank's loan offerings encompass commercial loans, real estate-backed financing, working capital loans, and various consumer loans, catering to a diverse clientele that includes national and regional companies, restaurant franchisees, hoteliers, and agribusinesses. Additionally, Equity Bank provides a suite of online and mobile banking solutions, debit card services, and treasury management options. As of December 31, 2019, the bank operated 52 full-service branches across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, making it a significant player in the regional banking landscape.

Koch, Inc., headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, is a multinational corporation with subsidiaries engaged in manufacturing, trading, and investments. It operates in various industries, including petroleum and chemical manufacturing, energy, fiber and polymer production, minerals and fertilizers, pulp and paper, and ranching. Koch employs over 100,000 people worldwide, with a significant presence in the United States. Its Koch Chemical Technology Group designs, manufactures, and services process and pollution control equipment for industries and municipalities globally. Koch Equity Development, the acquisition and investment subsidiary, focuses on strategic acquisitions and principal investments to enhance Koch's capabilities.

PeakSpan Capital, established in 2014, is a California-based investment firm with an additional office in New York. The company specializes in backing growth-stage, B2B and enterprise software businesses across the United States. PeakSpan focuses on companies serving a wide range of customers, from small businesses to large enterprises, and brings a wealth of sector-specific knowledge and resources to its portfolio companies.

RET Ventures, founded in 2017 and based in Park City, Utah, is a venture capital firm focused on the real estate technology sector. It is the first industry-backed seed-stage venture firm dedicated to developing innovative technology solutions for the multifamily and single-family rental markets. RET Ventures collaborates with high-quality entrepreneurs to scale their businesses by leveraging the extensive knowledge and expertise of its team and limited partners, who collectively manage a significant network of rental units across North America. This collaboration enables property owners to gain early access to effective technology solutions tailored to their needs.

Blackbird Ventures, established in 2012, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Surry Hills, Australia. The company specializes in investing in early-stage to late-stage startups across diverse sectors, including technology, healthcare, and consumer goods, primarily in Australia and New Zealand. Blackbird's mission is to back ambitious entrepreneurs with transformative ideas, providing them with generational ownership and support throughout their journey from inception to IPO. Notable investments include Canva, Zoox, and CultureAmp.

Prospect Capital Management, established in 1988 and headquartered in New York, is an alternative credit asset manager specializing in middle-market investments. The company provides a range of financing solutions, including debt and equity, to both sponsor-owned and non-sponsor-owned businesses in the United States and Canada. Prospect focuses on companies with EBITDA between $5 million and $150 million, investing amounts ranging from $10 million to $500 million per transaction. It has a broad investment portfolio across various sectors, with a particular expertise in energy and industrial sectors. The company's strategy involves primary origination and secondary loans/portfolios, catering to debt financings, acquisitions, recapitalizations, growth financings, and real estate investments. Prospect seeks to deliver steady, attractive returns to its investors through a disciplined, rigorous credit process and proprietary investment origination.

Continuum Health Alliance, LLC is a healthcare management company established in 1998 and headquartered in Marlton, New Jersey, with additional offices in East Brunswick, New Jersey, and Lenexa, Kansas. The company specializes in providing integrated care and performance solutions tailored for various healthcare clients, including physician practices, hospitals, and community organizations. Its services encompass revenue cycle management, administrative support, financial and accounting services, and information technology. Continuum also facilitates partnerships between providers and payers, helping independent physicians enroll in payer programs and adopt new payment models. Additionally, the company focuses on enhancing clinical integration through value-based contracts and by identifying clinical gaps within healthcare networks. By blending the expertise of physicians and business professionals, Continuum Health Alliance aims to streamline healthcare operations, allowing providers to concentrate on patient care while delivering comprehensive support services across the healthcare spectrum.

Riley Permian specializes in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, with a primary focus on high-growth opportunities in the Permian Basin. The company emphasizes the horizontal development of the San Andres Formation, leveraging its technical expertise and advanced evaluation techniques. In addition to its core operations in the Permian Basin, Riley Permian also manages properties in Kansas and Tennessee. The company is recognized for its operational experience, which positions it as a leader in acquiring, developing, and producing energy resources.

MPM Capital, established in 1996, is a Boston-based private equity and venture capital firm focused on the healthcare and life sciences sectors. It invests in growth-stage biotechnology, healthcare, and life sciences companies, with a particular emphasis on medical technology, oncology, and specialty pharma. MPM Capital typically invests between $5 million and $50 million, often as a lead investor, and may take interim operating positions in its portfolio companies. It has a global investment scope, with a focus on the United States, Europe, and Asia, including India. The firm's investment strategy spans from seed and startup stages through to late-stage biopharmaceutical and diagnostics companies with clinical proof-of-concept data.

Physician Housecalls is an organization dedicated to serving the unique needs of home-bound patients in Oklahoma and Kansas. It offers a range of services, including home-based primary care, geriatric care, and family practice, ensuring that individuals receive essential medical support in the comfort of their own homes. The company specializes in chronic care management, care plan oversight, transition management, wellness visits, and behavioral health integration. By providing these services, Physician Housecalls aims to improve the health and quality of life for patients residing in post-acute facilities, assisted living centers, and independent senior apartments.

Littlejohn Capital, LLC is a private equity firm headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, that focuses on investments in mature companies undergoing significant transitions, including management buyouts, corporate carve-outs, and growth equity opportunities. Established in 2013, it specializes in small to mid-sized private companies with enterprise values under $75 million and EBITDA ranging from $2 million to $12.5 million. The firm typically invests between $5 million and $15 million, with the potential for co-investments up to $30 million, targeting transaction values between $20 million and $75 million. Littlejohn Capital avoids sectors such as retail, consumer products, fashion, gambling, startup technologies, and biotechnology, instead concentrating on industries like manufacturing, logistics, materials, and business services within North America. The firm aims to make control investments that facilitate operational or strategic improvements in its portfolio companies.

Fulcrum Global Capital, established in 2016, is a corporate venture capital firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. As a registered investment adviser, it invests in innovative companies operating in the agriculture, agtech, food production, food safety, food waste, and animal health sectors, both domestically and internationally. The firm seeks to disrupt and improve these industries by backing promising startups.

Spell Capital Partners, LLC, established in 1988, is a Minneapolis-based private equity and mezzanine capital manager. With over three decades of experience, the firm focuses on investing in industrial sectors across the United States, targeting both equity and debt opportunities. Its investment professionals, known for their diverse backgrounds and successful track records, are currently deploying capital from Spell Capital Partners Fund IV and Spell Capital Mezzanine Partners, their first mezzanine fund. The firm's primary areas of interest include industrial, manufacturing, plastics, packaging, precision metal fabrications, commercial products, and services.

C3 Capital Partners, LP is a private equity firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, with additional offices in Dallas, Texas. Established in 1994, the firm specializes in investing in small to middle-market companies across various sectors, including energy, healthcare, specialty chemicals, consumer products, and business services. C3 Capital focuses on growth capital, buyouts, industry consolidation, and recapitalization transactions, typically investing between $2 million and $15 million in companies with sales ranging from $10 million to $210 million and EBITDA between $1 million and $20 million. The firm prefers to take board representation but does not seek controlling stakes in its investments. C3 Capital has a history of investing over $300 million in 63 small businesses and is led by experienced principals with extensive backgrounds in private equity and management across several industries.

Great Range Capital, established in 2010 and headquartered in Mission Woods, Kansas, is a private equity firm specializing in mid-market investments, primarily in the Midwest. The firm focuses on buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth financings, targeting companies in business and industrial services, healthcare services, retail and consumer, and niche manufacturing sectors. Great Range Capital typically invests between $5 million and $30 million in companies with revenues of $150 million and EBITDA of $20 million, aiming to partner with Midwestern companies and executives.

Morpheus Ventures, established in 2016 and based in Los Angeles, is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies. It focuses on sectors such as data analytics, machine learning, robotics, and SaaS, supporting both consumer and enterprise technologies. The firm manages multiple funds, including Morpheus Ventures I (2016) and Morpheus Ventures II (2019), with a particular interest in frontier technologies like fintech, insurtech, proptech, and automation.

Hostess Brands, Inc. is a packaged food company specializing in the development, manufacturing, marketing, sale, and distribution of fresh sweet baked goods across the United States. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, the company offers a diverse portfolio of products, including snack cakes, donuts, sweet rolls, breakfast pastries, cookies, and snack pies. Hostess operates through two primary segments: Sweet Baked Goods, which includes both fresh and frozen offerings under renowned brands such as Hostess, Dolly Madison, Cloverhill, and Big Texas, as well as store-branded products, and In-Store Bakery, which focuses on items like eclairs, madeleines, brownies, and iced cookies sold in grocery and club store bakery sections. Hostess Brands aims to deliver beloved treats to consumers, maintaining a strong presence in the North American market.

Capital For Business, Inc. is a private equity investment firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, with an additional office in Kansas City. Founded in 1959, the firm focuses on investing in middle-market, family-owned businesses, particularly in the manufacturing and value-added industrial services sectors. Capital For Business specializes in various investment strategies, including management buyouts, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate divestitures, while avoiding sectors such as real estate, financial institutions, and unproven technologies. The firm typically invests between $500,000 and $30 million in companies with revenues ranging from $10 million to $100 million and targets enterprise values between $5 million and $100 million. It has a patient investment approach, generally holding investments for five to seven years, and actively seeks to participate in the management of its portfolio companies by taking board positions. Capital For Business also leverages its extensive network within the private equity community to support its investments and facilitate follow-on funding when necessary.

Midwest Growth Partners, LLLP is a private equity firm specializing in investing in small to mid-sized companies lower middle market, management buyouts, outright acquisitions, internal recapitalizations, majority and minority growth capital, competitive roll-ups, succession planning liquidity for retiring business owners, general transfer, distressed, later stage, industry consolidation, and turnaround situations. The firm does not invest in start-ups, "pure-play" brick and mortar retailers, and non-core real estate. It seeks to invest in small family-owned rural businesses in the food and agriculture, distribution and logistics, manufacturing, and business service industries but may consider investments in other industries. The firm seeks to invest in Iowa, the Upper Midwest which includes Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, and also in North Dakota and Kansas in companies with headquarters, or significant operations, located in communities with populations of 50,000 or less. It typically invests in companies with sales value between $4 million to $40 million and maximum EBITDA of $5 million, and makes equity investments between $0.5 million and $5 million in its portfolio companies depending on the structure of the transaction and nature of the investment. The firm may co-invest on larger opportunities. It invests in companies with revenues between $4 million and $40 million. Midwest Growth Partners, LLLP is based in Des Moines, Iowa.

St. Croix Hospice is a prominent provider of hospice services for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. With 21 office locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, the company offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support patients, their families, and caregivers. These services include physician care, nursing, hospice aide assistance, continuous care nursing during crises, social services, spiritual care, therapy, nutritional counseling, and routine medical check-ups. St. Croix Hospice focuses on enhancing the comfort and quality of life for those with terminal diagnoses while addressing their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.

DataBank Holdings, Ltd. is a data center and co-location company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with additional facilities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Eagan, Kansas City, and Atlanta. Founded in 2004, DataBank provides a comprehensive array of services, including co-location solutions that ensure security, power configurations, and cooling. The company also offers managed services such as cloud computing, virtual hosting, network connectivity, and security, along with consulting services that encompass design and implementation, migration, and continuity planning. DataBank emphasizes compliance with various industry standards, including those for payment card security and health data protection. Catering to a diverse clientele across sectors like healthcare, finance, gaming, and hospitality, DataBank is committed to optimizing IT environments and ensuring data availability for enterprises.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

The Enterprise Center in Johnson County, founded in 1994, serves as an accelerator located in Overland Park, Kansas. It was established through the collective efforts of civic and business leaders from the greater Kansas City area, following a feasibility study convened by Johnson County Community College President Charles Carlsen in 1989. The center aims to support local entrepreneurs by offering education, mentorship, investment opportunities, and connections to capital. Through its programs and resources, the Enterprise Center fosters the growth of emerging businesses, contributing to the economic development of Johnson County and the surrounding region.

BOK Financial Corporation is a regional financial services company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded in 1910. The company provides a wide array of financial products and services to consumers and businesses through its various subsidiaries, including BOKF, BOSC, Cavanal Hill Investment Management, and The Milestone Group. BOKF operates the TransFund electronic funds network and has seven banking divisions: Bank of Albuquerque, Bank of Arizona, Bank of Arkansas, Bank of Kansas City, Bank of Oklahoma, Bank of Texas, and Colorado State Bank and Trust. The firm specializes in areas such as cash management, mortgage banking, and brokerage and trading services, catering primarily to middle-market and small businesses, as well as financial institutions and individual clients.

International Finance Corporation (IFC), established in 1956, is a member of the World Bank Group dedicated to fostering private sector development in emerging markets. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with global offices, IFC provides financial and advisory services to support economic activities across various sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, and financial services. It invests in both direct equity and debt, as well as fund investments, with a focus on projects that promote sustainable development and inclusive growth. IFC's investment range typically spans from $1 million to $100 million, with a minority equity stake, often up to 20%. It also offers debt financing, with loan sizes up to 25% of total project costs or 50% for expansion projects. IFC's portfolio includes a mix of asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities, government obligations, equity investments, and derivative assets. It aims to exit investments through domestic stock markets, arrangements with project sponsors, or public listings within 7 to 15 years.

WireCo WorldGroup Inc. is a manufacturer of steel and synthetic ropes, specialty wires, and engineered products, serving a diverse range of industries, including industrial and infrastructure, oil and gas, fishing, mining, maritime, and construction. The company produces a variety of products such as drill lines, mining ropes, cranes, mooring lines, and electromechanical cables, as well as synthetic ropes, yarns, and tapes for applications in agriculture, geotextiles, and sports products. WireCo WorldGroup also offers high carbon wire and specialty wires for various end markets. The company's products are marketed under several well-known brands and are distributed globally through a network of sales professionals targeting distributors, original equipment manufacturers, and contractors. Founded in 1931 and based in Prairie Village, Kansas, WireCo WorldGroup was previously known as Wire Rope Corporation of America and adopted its current name in 2007. It operates as a subsidiary of WireCo WorldGroup US Holdings, Inc.

Massage Envy is a prominent franchised business operating over 600 massage therapy centers across 42 U.S. states. It specializes in providing therapeutic massages, along with skin care services, making professional and affordable wellness care accessible to a broader population. Each center is staffed by fully trained massage therapists, offering a range of services including customized facials, chemical peels, and other skincare treatments, all aimed at promoting total body well-being.

L2 Capital, LLC is a principal investment firm based in Leawood, Kansas, specializing in mezzanine debt and equity finance investments in small- and micro-capitalized public growth companies. Founded in December 2016, the firm focuses on investing in growth and distressed securities across various regions, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Hong Kong. L2 Capital targets sectors such as music, television, film, fashion, intellectual property, digital media, and technology, among others. The firm aims to provide strategic financial support to companies in these industries, facilitating their growth and development.

Cartesian, Inc. is a management consulting firm specializing in the communications, digital media, and technology sectors, operating primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Western Europe. Founded in 1990 and based in Overland Park, Kansas, Cartesian provides a comprehensive suite of consulting services, including technical consultancy in areas such as requirements definition, data analysis, and integration systems. The company also offers strategy and business case development, program management, and business process redesign services. Among its notable tools is Ascertain, a revenue management and data integrity solution. Cartesian serves a diverse clientele, including wireless and wireline service providers, cable operators, technology firms, and media companies, as well as financial services organizations invested in the communications industry. Previously known as The Management Network Group, Inc., the company rebranded to Cartesian in 2014 to unify its offerings and enhance collaboration across its professional services.

Steadfast Income REIT is a real estate investment trust based in Kansas City, Missouri, focused on acquiring and managing a diverse portfolio of multifamily apartment communities across targeted markets in the United States. The company aims to invest in well-positioned, institutional-quality properties that demonstrate high occupancy and income levels throughout various market cycles. Steadfast Income REIT conducts thorough regional market analyses, including rent roll assessments and environmental reporting, to ensure informed investment decisions. Additionally, the company addresses renovation and immediate repair needs to enhance property value and tenant satisfaction. The firm is sponsored by Steadfast REIT Investments, LLC, which is affiliated with Steadfast Companies, a group that specializes in real estate investment and management in the U.S. and Mexico.

C2FO is a global on-demand working capital platform that offers fast and flexible access to low-cost capital for nearly 2 million businesses. By utilizing its patented Name Your Rate® technology and a range of working capital solutions, C2FO enables companies to receive payments sooner from large enterprises, thereby unlocking billions in risk-free capital. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Kansas City, USA, C2FO aims to create a more inclusive financial system by ensuring that all businesses have the necessary capital to thrive. The platform helps clients optimize cash flow by allowing them to negotiate better payment terms with suppliers and customers, thereby empowering enterprises of all sizes to manage their working capital effectively. C2FO has facilitated over $275 billion in funding globally.

Capital7 is a private equity firm headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Founded by a team of experienced professionals, the firm emphasizes building genuine partnerships with management teams and aligning incentives for mutual success. Capital7 focuses its investment strategy across various sectors, including consumer products, energy, finance, healthcare, health technology, manufacturing and engineering, real estate, and software and services.

Aratana Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing therapeutics for dogs and cats in the United States. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, the company focuses on addressing unmet medical needs in companion animal care through high-quality medicines. Its product portfolio includes various therapeutics, such as NOCITA for post-operative pain management in dogs, ENTYCE for appetite stimulation, and GALLIPRANT for pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Aratana is also advancing treatments for conditions like osteosarcoma in dogs and a range of therapies for cats, including a specialized formulation for pain management and treatments for feline herpes virus-induced conditions. The company has established collaboration agreements with other health organizations to enhance the development and commercialization of its products.

The McClatchy Company is a prominent newspaper publisher in the United States, operating 30 daily newspapers across 29 markets, including notable titles such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, and The Sacramento Bee. Founded in 1857 by James McClatchy during the California Gold Rush, the company initially focused on California but later expanded its reach to the Northwest and East Coast through strategic acquisitions. McClatchy has established itself as the leading local news provider in its markets, offering a range of services that include print and digital publications, community newspapers, and direct marketing. The company delivers content through its own websites, mobile applications, and various digital platforms. In 2006, McClatchy became the second-largest newspaper publisher in the U.S. after acquiring Knight Ridder Inc., although it subsequently streamlined its portfolio by selling non-strategic newspapers. McClatchy filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 in 2020, highlighting the challenges faced by traditional media in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Its headquarters are located in Sacramento, California.

United Capital Management of Kansas is a financial planning firm that provides financial leadership for fiscally prudent individuals. It offers sound advice on asset management, trust services, and insurance options. The synergies that emerge from this collaborative effort are what enable them to provide unparalleled service. The firm was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Salina, Kansas.

Flint Hills Resources is an independent refining, chemicals, and biofuels company headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Koch Industries, it has developed a diverse portfolio of products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, ethanol, biodiesel, liquefied natural gas, polymers, and various intermediate chemicals. The company operates refineries in Alaska, Minnesota, and Texas with a combined capacity of approximately 670,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Flint Hills Resources also runs multiple ethanol plants in Iowa and Nebraska, producing a total of 550 million gallons annually, and is a significant purchaser of ethanol in Minnesota. Through strategic investments and acquisitions exceeding $7.6 billion since 2002, the company aims to enhance its operational capabilities while meeting customer demands in the refining and chemical sectors. Its manufacturing facilities, located in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas, produce essential materials used in numerous industries, including automotive and packaging. Flint Hills Resources is committed to efficient resource utilization and community involvement, striving to create value for both its customers and society at large.

Union Pacific Corporation, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest public railroad in North America, operating the Union Pacific Railroad. It manages a vast network of over 31,800 route miles across 23 states, primarily in the western two-thirds of the United States. The company provides essential transportation services for a diverse range of goods, including agricultural products, coal, industrial chemicals, and automotive goods. In 2023, Union Pacific generated $24 billion in revenue by hauling freight, which also includes intermodal containers and construction materials. The company has expanded through acquisitions of several railroads and holds a 26% stake in the Mexican railroad Ferromex, which contributes approximately 10% of its revenue by facilitating cross-border freight movements.