Advantage Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 1992, headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, with additional offices across the United States. The firm specializes in growth equity, lending, and mezzanine debt investments, focusing primarily on small businesses at various stages of development, excluding seed stage. Advantage Capital targets investments in low-income communities, both urban and rural, and supports economic development initiatives. The firm seeks to invest in companies that utilize proprietary technologies in sectors such as communication, information technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and energy, among others. It offers various forms of debt capital, including senior and mezzanine debt, and has a preference for co-investing with other firms. Initial investments typically range from $0.5 million to $10 million in companies with sales under $5 million, with potential for larger investments based on milestones. Advantage Capital is committed to addressing the funding gaps in underserved areas and fostering economic growth in communities that lack traditional sources of risk capital.

Cultivation Capital is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, founded in 2012, that focuses on early-stage investments in the United States. The firm manages multiple funds, primarily investing during the Seed and Series A stages, with initial investment amounts typically ranging from $100,000 to $3.5 million. Cultivation Capital specializes in various sectors, including life sciences, healthcare, agriculture technology, software, and information technology. Its Life Sciences Fund II primarily targets early-stage companies in healthcare, therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices, while its Tech Fund II focuses on IT and related technologies. The firm aims to support innovative startups and foster growth in these critical industries.

BioGenerator is a non-profit venture development organization affiliated with BioSTL, focusing on fostering successful bioscience companies in the St. Louis region. It specializes in pre-seed, seed, and post-seed investments, primarily targeting startups in the bioscience sector. The organization invests between $10,000 and $250,000, with up to $50,000 allocated for pre-seed companies and up to $250,000 for seed-stage firms. In addition to financial support, BioGenerator offers shared lab space equipped with specialized technology and comprehensive management assistance to its portfolio companies. As an evergreen investor, it often leads investment rounds in collaboration with local angel investors, economic development groups, and early-stage venture capital funds. Founded in 2003, BioGenerator plays a crucial role in the development and sustainability of the bioscience ecosystem in St. Louis.

Capital Innovators is an accelerator firm established in 2010 and located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The firm operates an accelerator program that offers $50,000 in seed funding, along with project-based mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. Over a 12-week period, participating startups receive valuable resources, networking opportunities, and potential follow-on funding that can range from $250,000 to $1 million. The program is designed to support early-stage companies by providing the necessary guidance and connections to foster growth and development in their respective markets.

Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

KCRise Fund co-invests with institutional venture capital investors in early stage companies based in the Greater Kansas City area

iSelect Fund Management, LLC is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, that specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on series seed, A, and B rounds. The firm targets a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, healthcare, resource efficiency, education services, diversified financial services, and B2B software. Within agriculture, iSelect emphasizes plant sciences, seed genetics, and sustainability, while in healthcare, it concentrates on immunotherapy and personalized medicine. The firm typically invests a minimum of $0.05 million in companies, primarily located in the United States, particularly in the Midwest, as well as in India. It aims for investment durations of 5 to 7 years or longer. Additionally, iSelect provides accredited clients of financial advisors with access to a carefully evaluated portfolio of promising early-stage ventures, utilizing insights from a committee of experienced entrepreneurs and venture investors.

Serra Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Champaign, Illinois, focused on investing in technology companies primarily located in emerging Midwest technology centers and selected areas in Southern California. Founded in 1998, the firm specializes in sectors such as information technology, devices and instrumentation, and agricultural technologies. Serra Ventures aims to support innovative companies that are poised for growth, leveraging its expertise and regional knowledge to identify promising investment opportunities.

Prolog Ventures is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, established in 2001. The firm focuses on investments in startups and early-stage companies, primarily within the life sciences and healthcare sectors. It also targets fast-moving consumer goods, particularly in areas related to nutrition, wellness, and green technology. Prolog Ventures emphasizes investments in consumer health and wellness products that aim to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and their companion animals. This includes sectors such as personal care, functional foods and beverages, medical foods, dietary supplements, and home care. The firm predominantly invests in North America, seeking innovative business models and proprietary technologies that align with its mission.

Dundee Venture Capital is a venture capital firm based in Omaha, Nebraska, with additional offices in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Saint Louis. Established in 2010, the firm specializes in investing in high-growth, early-stage technology companies, particularly in sectors such as e-commerce, B2B SaaS, consumer networks, and digital healthcare. Dundee VC typically makes initial investments ranging from $250,000 to $1 million in seed rounds valued between $500,000 and $3 million. The firm focuses on underserved capital markets across the United States and Canada and generally avoids industries requiring government approval, such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Dundee Venture Capital aims to take board positions or observer roles in the companies it invests in, without seeking control, and plans to exit its investments within six to eight years. The firm was founded by Mark Hasebroock, who has a background in raising capital for e-commerce ventures.

Jump Capital is an expansion stage venture firm with operating DNA at its core. We offer unparalleled institutional resources through Jump’s ecosystem, including access to a broad network, top research labs and academic institutions advancing the state of the art in data mining, machine learning, high-performance computing and healthcare. Learn more at www.jumpcap.com and follow us on Twitter @jumpcapital.

Think Big Partners is an incubator and accelerator based in Kansas City, Missouri, focused on seed and early-stage investments primarily in the technology sector, including web services, applications, and software. Established in 2009, the firm has successfully launched or supported over 150 companies through its collaborative network, which includes coworking spaces and entrepreneurial conferences. In addition to providing funding, Think Big Partners offers essential services and resources to startups and private sector companies looking to innovate. The firm also collaborates with financial sponsors, such as venture capital and private equity funds, to help mitigate investment risks. While its primary focus is on the Kansas City area, Think Big Partners is open to investment opportunities outside this region.

SixThirty Ventures, LLC is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, that focuses on investing in early-stage financial technology, insurance technology, and cybersecurity startups. Founded in 2013, SixThirty typically invests between $100,000 and $250,000 in seed and later seed-stage companies, aiming to take a stake of less than 10 percent. The firm operates a global go-to-market program that supports 8 to 14 companies each year, providing not only funding but also mentorship and valuable industry connections. Its investment strategy emphasizes innovative solutions in areas such as payments, security, compliance, big data, lending, and asset management. Through an intensive 8-week business development program, SixThirty assists startups in refining their business models and scaling effectively in the market.

Ascend Ventures is a venture capital firm based in New York that focuses on supporting early-stage, data-centric technology companies across North America. Founded in 2000, the firm partners with ambitious entrepreneurs to facilitate financial and operational growth, aiming for rapid value creation. Ascend Ventures emphasizes the importance of alternative investments in achieving significant returns and building diversified portfolios. The firm combines financial expertise with unique investment opportunities to establish effective risk/reward partnerships. While Ascend Ventures has been associated with various industries, including software and technology, it is currently in the process of winding down operations and liquidating its remaining portfolio.

Cequel III, LLC is a private equity firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, with an additional office in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 2002, it specializes in buyouts and growth capital investments across various sectors, including telecommunications, real estate, and data centers. The firm typically invests between $5 million and $50 million in companies with an enterprise value ranging from $10 million to $100 million, focusing on those with an EBITDA exceeding $2 million. Cequel III aims to acquire majority stakes in its portfolio companies and has a long-term investment horizon, often investing in subordinated debt as part of its strategy. The firm is known for its commitment to industry consolidation and recapitalization transactions, particularly within the telecommunications and data center sectors.

Lewis & Clark Ventures, established in 2014 and based in St. Louis, is a private equity firm that focuses on early-stage investments in the U.S. heartland. The firm primarily targets Series A and B companies in sectors such as enterprise software, healthcare IT, and agricultural technology. Founded by former operators, Lewis & Clark Ventures believes in the abundance of innovation and entrepreneurial talent outside the traditional coastal hubs. Their goal is to serve as a trusted partner for entrepreneurs, providing support as these companies grow and strive for greater significance in their respective markets.

Norwest Mezzanine Partners, founded in 2000 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializes in mezzanine investments, providing junior capital to support private equity sponsors in the growth of middle market companies across various sectors. The firm targets investments in business services, consumer products, distribution, healthcare, energy, and industrials within the United States. By partnering with private equity firms, Norwest Mezzanine Partners aims to create value in their portfolio companies, offering flexible financial solutions and reliable support to help these businesses achieve industry leadership. The firm operates independently but maintains an affiliation with Norwest Equity Partners, which has a long history in middle market equity investment.

OCA Ventures is a Chicago-based venture capital firm established in 1999, specializing in early-stage investments, including Seed, Series A, and Series B funding rounds. The firm focuses on equity investments in companies with significant growth potential, primarily within the technology and high-scalability services sectors. OCA Ventures has a diverse investment portfolio that spans various industries, with a particular emphasis on technology, financial services, education, and healthcare technology. Currently investing from its fourth fund, OCA Ventures is dedicated to supporting innovative companies across the United States.

We are a St. Louis-based growth buyout firm that invests in, partners with and grows strong, tech-enabled healthcare and business services companies. We focus on lower market transactions in which we can invest alongside aggressive, entrepreneurial teams that share our passion for growing and building great businesses.

Thompson Street Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in investments in middle market companies, particularly in the manufacturing, distribution, and services sectors. Founded in 2000, the firm focuses on growth capital, management buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate divestitures, and take-private transactions, often partnering with management teams. It targets founder-led businesses and family enterprises undergoing transition, preferring to invest in companies with revenues ranging from $20 million to $200 million and EBITDA between $1 million and $20 million. The firm typically seeks to take a control or majority position in its portfolio companies, although it may consider minority stakes in select growth situations. Thompson Street Capital Partners avoids investments in start-ups, early-stage companies, real estate, and the food and beverage industries, while emphasizing sectors such as healthcare, technology, aerospace, and specialty manufacturing.

Prosper Women Entrepreneurs is a Missouri-based early-stage venture firm established in 2014, dedicated to enhancing access to growth capital for women entrepreneurs. The organization focuses on increasing the number of women investing in early-stage capital markets, thereby fostering a more equitable entrepreneurial landscape. By targeting investments specifically in women-led companies, Prosper Women Entrepreneurs aims to empower female entrepreneurs and support their business development, contributing to broader economic growth and innovation.

Royal Street Ventures is a venture capital and private equity firm founded in 2012, headquartered in Park City, Utah, with an additional office in Kansas City, Missouri. The firm focuses on early-stage investments across various sectors, including health and wellness, transportation and logistics, action sports, tech security, data, education, specialty manufacturing, fintech, specialty chemicals, and pet care. It typically invests between $0.0001 million and $1 million in companies during funding rounds of $0.75 million to $5 million. Royal Street Ventures emphasizes active involvement in its portfolio companies by holding director seats on their boards, aiming to ensure strong governance and strategic guidance. The firm primarily targets companies located in the Mountain West, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and California.

M25 is a Chicago-based venture capital firm established in 2015, focusing on early-stage investments in technology startups primarily located in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. The firm has built a diverse portfolio by investing in over 90 startups across various sectors, including healthcare technology, information technology, financial services, and consumer products. M25's analytical and collaborative approach enables it to play a significant role within the Midwest startup ecosystem, fostering innovation and supporting the growth of emerging companies. The firm is led by Victor Gutwein and Mike Asem and seeks to identify promising investment opportunities that align with its objective of driving economic growth in the region.

RiverVest is a venture capital firm founded in 2000 and headquartered in St. Louis, with additional offices in Cleveland and San Diego. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in life science companies, particularly in the medical device and biopharmaceutical sectors. RiverVest's experienced team actively identifies and incubates promising startups while providing practical advice and strategic leadership to help entrepreneurs advance their businesses. In addition to its focus on early-stage ventures, the firm also invests in select later-stage life science companies to diversify risk and enhance portfolio returns. RiverVest's investment strategy places a particular emphasis on opportunities within the Midwest.

Compass Group Equity Partners is a private equity firm based in Clayton, Missouri, established in 2015. The firm specializes in middle-market acquisitions, focusing on a variety of sectors including electronics, beverages, distribution, food products, business and consumer services, niche manufacturing, and the Internet of Things. With a commitment to investing in North American businesses, Compass Group Equity Partners operates as a Registered Investment Adviser, aiming to identify and support growth opportunities within its targeted industries.

Five Elms Capital is a private equity growth firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, established in 2007. The firm specializes in investing in bootstrapped business-to-business (B2B) software and technology companies in the United States. Its latest fund, Five Elms V, targets growth capital investments and typically invests between $5 million and $75 million in each company. The firm focuses on sectors such as real estate technology, information technology, software, software as a service, and other technology-related industries. As a registered investment adviser, Five Elms Capital emphasizes investing in established companies that have demonstrated potential for growth.

Stadia Fund III is a venture capital fund managed by Stadia Ventures, based in St. Louis, Missouri. The fund focuses on investing in sports and esports startups, aiming to identify and support 4-6 promising companies twice a year. Each selected startup receives a $100,000 investment and participates in a comprehensive 14-week business development bootcamp, which includes seven sessions designed to enhance their business acumen. Founders are paired with experienced mentors and gain access to a vast network of potential clients. Over its four-year operation, Stadia Ventures has developed a portfolio of 40 companies, achieving five successful exits and helping its portfolio companies raise over $53 million in additional funding. The firm has also expanded its operations to Frisco/Dallas, further enhancing its reach in the sports business ecosystem.

Flyover Capital, established in 2014 and based in Overland Park, Kansas, is a private equity firm that focuses on seed and series A-stage investments in technology-related companies throughout the United States. The firm aims to address the capital needs of aspiring technology entrepreneurs in the Midwest, a region rich in innovation and talent but often overlooked by traditional investors. Flyover Capital recognizes the potential of businesses in "flyover country," where lower development costs, access to a skilled workforce from Fortune 500 companies, and strong educational institutions create a favorable environment for growth. The firm believes that this unique landscape offers attractive opportunities for both investors and portfolio companies, contributing to the success of the technology sector in the Midwest.

Founded in 2008, OpenAir Equity Partners is a venture capital investment firm based in Overland Park, Kansas. The firm seeks to invest in the technology sector.

FINTOP Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with additional offices in Hoboken, New Jersey, and St. Louis, Missouri. The firm focuses on investing in B2B service-enabled SaaS and software companies within the FinTech sector. FINTOP Capital targets startups that have established products in the market, demonstrate real revenues, and are led by experienced professionals with industry expertise.

Synchrony Bio is a venture capital firm established in 2018 and located in Saint Louis, Missouri. It focuses on early-stage investments in the biomedical, medical device, and life science sectors. The firm aims to mitigate risk while enhancing value and efficiency in the development of its portfolio companies. By concentrating on innovative ventures, Synchrony Bio seeks to contribute to advancements in healthcare and technology.

O2 Investment Partners, LLC is a Michigan-based private equity firm that focuses on lower middle market investments in various sectors, including industrial manufacturing, niche distribution, business services, and technology. The firm seeks to acquire a majority interest in companies with revenue between $10 million and $75 million and enterprise values between $10 million and $100 million. O2 Investment Partners aims to partner with management teams to drive growth and enhance shareholder value, often through strategies such as buy and build, management buyouts, and turnaround initiatives. The firm primarily targets opportunities in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions of the United States and Canada, investing between $1 million and $20 million in businesses with strong earnings growth potential. Founded in 2010 and based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, O2 Investment Partners also considers co-investments and opportunistic acquisitions across various industries.

DFH specializes in distribution-related opportunities and is focused on reinvesting in businesses, building long-term value, and driving sustainable growth. Other DFH companies include Grabber Construction Products, Reliable Parts, and Triad Technologies.

The James S. McDonnell Foundation is an independent non-profit private foundation based in Saint Louis, Missouri, established in 1950. It focuses on supporting scientific research, education, and charitable causes, both locally and globally. The foundation aims to enhance human knowledge and its practical application to address real-world challenges. It particularly emphasizes investment in fields such as human cognition and complex systems, seeking to identify and support scholarly areas with potential benefits for future generations. Through its philanthropic efforts, the foundation demonstrates a commitment to fostering new knowledge and advancing understanding in science and technology.

Evergy Ventures is the venture capital arm of Evergy specializing in investments in growth capital and early stage companies. It seeks to invest in the energy sector focusing on opportunities in the customer energy solutions, energy infrastructure industries, energy marketing, environmental remediation, infrastructure security, and renewables services, but is open to attractive investments outside of these sectors within the energy value chain. Evergy Ventures prefers to make investments using equity and debt instruments. It prefers to invest in North America with a special focus on Midwest based companies. Evergy Ventures began operation in 2015. It has its headquarters in Kansas City in Missouri.

S2G Ventures, established in 2014 and based in Chicago, is a multi-stage venture fund focused on food and agriculture. The firm aims to support entrepreneurs whose products and services address the growing consumer demand for healthy, sustainable, and local food options. S2G Ventures identifies various sectors within the food system that are poised for transformation and builds a diverse portfolio through seed, venture, and growth-stage investments. Its investment areas encompass agriculture, food ingredients, infrastructure and logistics, food safety and technology, as well as retail, restaurants, and consumer brands. The firm’s mission is to drive innovation in these sectors to enhance sustainability and health in the food supply chain.

Firebrand Management, LLC, founded in 2016 and based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage software startups primarily located in the Midwest region of the United States. The firm targets a geographical area stretching from San Antonio to Minneapolis and from Boulder to Columbus. Firebrand Ventures typically invests an average of $1,500,000 in funding rounds that range from $300,000 to $500,000, with additional capital allocated for select follow-on investments. The firm deliberately avoids investments in regulated markets, such as those requiring FDA approval, to concentrate on sectors where it can leverage its expertise and network effectively.

Lewis & Clark Capital is a private equity firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri, founded in 2001 by Managing Partner Thomas Hillman. The firm specializes in investing in companies across a variety of sectors, including industrial products and services, business and financial services, food and beverage, health and wellness, niche manufacturing, commercial services, healthcare devices, healthcare technology, communications, networking, and software. By employing a selective investment strategy, Lewis & Clark Capital aims to concentrate its resources on business opportunities that demonstrate the potential to achieve significant impact beyond mere financial success. The firm's focus is primarily on companies located in the United States.

TA Associates, established in 1968 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest and largest private equity firms globally. The firm focuses on investing in private companies across various sectors, including business services, consumer products, financial services, technology, and healthcare. With a commitment to supporting management teams in building their businesses, TA Associates has developed a diverse portfolio of approximately 380 current and former companies. The firm expanded its reach by opening offices in Silicon Valley, London, Mumbai, and Hong Kong, allowing it to engage in buyouts, growth equity, and recapitalizations, as well as private debt investments since 2000. Through its strategic approach, TA Associates aims to provide steady support to its portfolio companies throughout economic cycles.

Lewis & Clark AgriFood is an investment firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri, established in 2019. The firm specializes in the agrifood sector, concentrating on agricultural innovation, sustainability, and ag-tech. It targets late-stage venture capital and growth-stage companies that are tech-enabled and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, particularly in plant agriculture, food, supply chain, and animal health. By focusing on firms approaching positive operating cash flow, Lewis & Clark AgriFood aims to mitigate risk while seeking substantial returns on investment, primarily along the United States coasts.

HBM Holdings is an investment and management company that acquires, supports and operates middle-market businesses in industrial products and services. Our strategy is to grow a diversified portfolio using a long-term buy and build approach. We provide our portfolio companies with professional management expertise, financial resources, and high potential human capital to accelerate their growth.

Emerson Electric is a U.S.-based company founded in 1890 that specializes in providing technology and engineering solutions across various sectors. The company delivers a range of products for residential and commercial applications, including heating solutions such as warm tiles, DMC cables, pipe tracing, gutter de-icing, snow melting systems, and thermal storage. Emerson also offers products for water supply and drainage, as well as power supplies for glass and porcelain tiles. Through its network power and residential solutions divisions, Emerson serves industrial, commercial, and consumer markets globally, focusing on creating innovative solutions that enhance customer satisfaction.

FTL Capital is a Missouri-based private equity firm founded in 2001. The firm specializes in investing in companies across various industries, including technology, media, telecommunications, business services, and financial services, primarily within the United States. FTL Capital targets firms with revenues up to $100 million and EBITDA up to $5 million, with a preference for entrepreneur or family-owned businesses. The firm typically seeks to acquire a controlling interest or significant influence in its investments, focusing on management turnarounds, spin-outs, and restructuring opportunities, particularly in special and distressed ownership situations.

Sage Capital, LLC is a private equity and venture capital firm specializing in mezzanine, later stage, acquisitions, buyouts, growth capital, late venture, and recapitalization investments in small and lower middle market businesses in mature companies. The firm specializes in providing equity and equity-like instruments. The firm does not limit its investments by any sector and looks broadly across all industries. The firm does minority positions and does not invest in start-ups. The firm does not invest in commodity processors, job shops, construction services, trucking, real estate, and gaming. It primarily invests in value-added manufacturers, service businesses, distribution businesses, branded consumer products, professional services. The firm has limited appeal to industries in pure and high technology or life science, commodity producers, construction services, and real estate. It invests in North America with a focus on businesses located principally in the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Mid-South regions and Central Southern states, but can also consider investment opportunities throughout the United States. The firm typically invests between $2 million and $10 million per company with sales value between $10 million and $100 million enterprise values between $5 million and $50 million and EBITDA between $2 million and $7 million. It can pursue larger investment sizes and larger transactions with EBITDA more than $7 million through co-investments from the members of the Sage Capital Investors' Roundtable. For buyouts, the firm acquires controlling positions in companies. The firm seeks to make majority and minority investments. It seeks a board seat in its portfolio companies. Sage Capital, LLC was founded in 2004 and is based at St. Louis, Missouri.

Founded in 2019, Green Peak Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in Clayton, Missouri. The firm seeks to invest in companies operating in additive manufacturing, battery testing & power conversion, infrastructure, food ingredients, credentialing, outsourced healthcare equipment services, and advanced materials sectors across Central America and Mexico.

Drive Capital is a private equity firm based in Columbus, Ohio, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in investing in innovative technology, healthcare, and consumer companies primarily within the Midwest, targeting a region extending from Pittsburgh to Kansas City to Minneapolis. Drive Capital seeks to partner with entrepreneurs who are addressing significant market opportunities and have ambitious goals for building sustainable businesses. The firm is open to investments ranging from $100,000 to several million dollars, focusing on sectors such as technology, technology-enabled services, healthcare, and financial services. Founded by experienced venture capitalists Mark Kvamme and Chris Olsen, Drive Capital aims to support companies that have the potential for substantial growth.

Mid-America Angels is a business angel group that focuses on funding start-up and early-stage companies, primarily in the Kansas-Missouri region and within a 150-mile radius of Kansas City. Established in 2006, the organization is based in Fairway, Kansas, with additional offices in Lenexa and Lawrence. Mid-America Angels seeks to invest between $250,000 and $1,500,000 and participates in various funding rounds, including seed, Series A, and Series B, depending on the capital requirements of the businesses. The group aims to leverage the collective knowledge, experience, and investment capital of its members to support the growth of emerging companies in its target area. While it primarily focuses on local investments, it may consider opportunities beyond its geographic scope if they involve collaboration with other angel networks or investment organizations.

Monsanto Company, founded in 1901 and based in St. Louis, is a leading multinational agricultural biotechnology company that provides a range of agricultural products to farmers globally. It operates primarily in two segments: Seeds and Genomics, and Agricultural Productivity. The Seeds and Genomics segment produces various crop seeds, including corn, soybean, cotton, and canola, marketed under brands such as DEKALB, Asgrow, and Seminis. This segment also develops biotechnology traits to assist farmers in managing pests and weeds. The Agricultural Productivity segment manufactures herbicides, including the widely known Roundup brand, for agricultural and residential use. Monsanto markets its products through a network of distributors, independent retailers, agricultural cooperatives, and directly to farmers. In addition to its own brands, it licenses germplasm and trait technologies to other seed companies. In 2019, Bayer completed its acquisition of Monsanto, enhancing its agricultural portfolio and research capabilities.

Service Provider Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 2014 and based in Golden, Colorado. The firm specializes in co-investing in Series A deals, primarily alongside institutional venture funds. It focuses on seed-stage companies across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, cannabis, cybersecurity, e-commerce, education technology, fintech, hardware, information technology, robotics, and healthcare. Additionally, Service Provider Capital manages funds that target specific regional markets, such as the Midwest, emphasizing investments in software and healthcare technology systems. The firm typically seeks minority stakes and engages in syndicated investments to support the growth of innovative startups.

Sheridan Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2012. The firm specializes in facilitating liquidity and ownership transfer for family-held businesses, as well as executing large minority financings, leveraged buyouts, and management-led buyouts of small and medium-sized enterprises in the lower middle market. Sheridan focuses on investing in the healthcare sector, including providers, products, services, and technology-enabled business services, along with specialized distribution and consumer health products. The firm aims to invest between $15 million and $60 million in companies with an enterprise value ranging from $20 million to $150 million, and EBITDA between $3 million and $15 million. Sheridan Capital Partners seeks to acquire a controlling interest or a majority stake in its portfolio companies, utilizing proprietary capital to support growth and enhance value.