Kansas City · Pre-Seed–Series A · 3 people tracked
Also known as KCRISE CAPITAL, LLC
Investment thesis
KCRise Fund is a for-profit, co-investment venture capital fund that invests alongside other institutional investors (VCs and corporate investors) in pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A rounds of at least $1 million. It targets early-stage technology companies with a strategic connection to the western half of Missouri or the entire state of Kansas, with a primary focus on B2B companies. The fund aims to fill a gap in strategic capital for local startups and support the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem of the greater Kansas City region.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 25, 2026.
Team · 3 people
from the firm's website & public directories
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What they invest in
from 31 of 63 portfolio companiesSaaS ×12AI & Machine Learning ×9Enterprise Software ×7Healthtech ×7Mobility & Transportation ×6Fintech ×5HR Tech ×5Digital Health ×4
HQs:United States×34
Who they back
founder profiles across 17 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×112 founders×6
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 63 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 12025 · 12024 · 12023 · 22021 · 22020 · 32016 · 12015 · 12014 · 113 dated
Rebulk provides software and computer vision technology to track and manage bulk material inventory across industries like agriculture, recycling, and logistics.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSOlathe, US
Warren Wijaya Wang(Founder)inCole Robertson(Founder)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsAbstraction CapitalRedbud VCY CombinatorFCVC
Backstitch provides internal communications and employee engagement software for organizations across industries including non-profits, health systems, manufacturing, and hospitality.
Enterprise SoftwareHR TechSaaSKansas City, US
Jordan P. Warzecha(Executive Officer, Director)Stefanie M. Warzecha(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardChris Seago(Director)
Board seatDarcy Howe· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsCapital Midwest FundMissouri Technology CorporationSandalphon CapitalTechstarsSerra Ventures
Cariloop provides digital and human-centered support services to relieve stress and anxiety experienced by family caregivers.
Enterprise SoftwareHealthtechHR TechImpact & Social GoodSaaSDallas, US
Michael Walsh(Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Chair)inSteven Theesfeld(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardMichael Stoltz(Director)
Board seatDarcy Howe· per SEC Form D
Co-investors1843 CapitalABS Capital PartnersGreen Park & Golf VenturesHealth WildcattersNoro-Moseley PartnersRise of the Rest Seed
Daupler develops a response management platform for utilities, public works, and service organizations to manage service requests and emergency situations more efficiently.
Enterprise SoftwareGovTechRoboticsSaaSKansas City, US
John Bertrand(Founder and CEO)Ryan Rosenbaum(CTO)
BoardTom Ferguson(Director)inJiten Manglani(Director)
Board seatDarcy Howe· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsBURNT ISLAND VENTURESKnoll VenturesRunway Venture PartnersSandalphon CapitalTechstars
Idle Smart makes automated idle reduction systems for heavy-duty trucking fleets, cutting fuel use, downtime, and CO2 emissions from extended engine idling.
CleantechIoTLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationLenox, US
Jeff Lynch(Founder & CEO)inJeffrey Lynch(Executive Officer)
Board seatDarcy Howe· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsBeacon AngelsClimate Innovation CapitalEvergreen Climate InnovationsStout Street CapitalSustainVCThe Alchemy Fund
Columbia, US
Sarah Elizabeth Hill(Executive Officer, Director)
Board seatDarcy Howe· per SEC Form D · $2.5M raise · filed Dec 2023
AI assistant for doctors that listens, charts, and codes medical visits automatically.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Machine learning company quantifying higher education value to help students find meaningful careers.
Kirkland, US
Adam Wray(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJohn Connors(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsCity Light
Attane Health provides nutritious groceries and educational resources tailored for people with chronic health conditions.
Digital HealthFoodTechHealthtechWellness & Fitness
Emily Brownin
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investors1st Course CapitalBluestein VenturesMissouri Technology CorporationBeta Boom
Backlot Cars is a wholesale vehicle marketplace that provides high-quality engine recordings with AI-generated issue detection for dealer vehicles, helping wholesale buyers source inventory across various age, condition, and price points.
AI & Machine LearningB2B MarketplacesMobility & Transportation
Justin Davis(Founder)inFabricio SolanesJosh ParsonsRyan Davis
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investors500 GlobalChaifetz GroupOrigin VenturesRevolutionRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcSazze+4 more
Workers' compensation management software company managing employee lifecycle from hire to retirement.
Overland Park, US
Matthew Condon(Executive Officer, Director)Jeff Hogland(Executive Officer, Director)Paul Morris(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardRobert K Green(Director)Matthew Ferguson(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsMatrix Capital ManagementNewRoad Capital Partners, LLC
Stay AI is a subscription management platform for Shopify brands, using machine learning and reinforcement models to reduce churn and grow recurring revenue through AI-optimized cancel flows, automated winbacks, cohort analytics, and no-code retention tools.
AI & Machine LearningE-commerceRetail TechSaaSWamego, US
Matt Moody(Founder)inMatthew Moody(Executive Officer, Director)Daron Jamison(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardLaura Brady(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcTechstarsSaas Ventures, L.L.C.
Benefitbay is an end-to-end ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement) administration platform that lets employers set contribution budgets and employees shop for and enroll in individual health plans while retaining group-plan tax advantages.
HealthtechHR TechInsurTechKansas City, US
Brandy Burch(Executive Officer, Director)Zach Andrew Harris(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJohn McIlwraith(Director)Scott Shane(Director)inDavid Lambert(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsInvest NebraskaTen Coves Capital
Leawood, US
William A. Cilluffo(Director)inRobert R. O'Blennis(Executive Officer)Chris K. Costello(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Randall AufDerHeide(Executive Officer, Promoter)Greg Smith(Executive Officer)Kevin M. Conard(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsQED Investors
Game-based learning platform for K-6 students delivering gamified e-learning with analytics.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsPlains Ventures
Boddle develops interactive learning software for students that adapts to individual learners and tracks their academic performance.
EdTechTulsa, US
Edna Martinson(Executive Officer)Clarence Tan(Executive Officer, Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsAtento CapitalCortado VenturesLightship CapitalPlains VenturesScout Fund
Bungii is a national final-mile carrier providing on-demand delivery of large, bulky, non-parcel, and palletized items across retail, logistics, and fulfillment sectors.
Logistics & Supply ChainMarketplacesMobility & TransportationSaaSOverland Park, US
Benjamin Jackson(Executive Officer, Director)Ben JacksoninHarrison Proffittin
BoardHarrison Profitt(Director)Kevin Winkley(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsCadron Capital Partners
Celerity provides end-to-end automation for the SPA (special pricing agreement) lifecycle, handling data ingestion, transformation, validation, claim submission, and reconciliation.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSKansas City, US
Megan O'Rear(Executive Officer, Director)John Mitchell(Director)
BoardRobert Green(Director)Dana Abraham(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsIron Prairie
Click-Ins provides AI-based vehicle inspection technology that automatically processes car images to detect and measure damage, recognize car parts across models, and generate inspection reports.
AI & Machine LearningInsurTechMobility & Transportation
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsCabra VCSmart Partnership Capital
Overland Park, US
Randall Wasinger(Executive Officer, Director)Randy Wasinger(Founder)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsalphabet angelsGobi PartnersMetastableRed Beard VenturesSora VenturesAnimoca Brands+1 more
Web3 platform connecting phone numbers to blockchain wallets for enterprise use cases.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Degree Insurance offers an insurance product marketed around guaranteeing outcomes tied to earning a degree.
InsurTech
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsTrust Ventures
Social media intelligence company helping clients identify influential customer segments.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Decarbonization-as-a-Service platform connecting organizations with cleantech vendors for climate action.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
PlayVS is a scholastic esports platform that provides officially sanctioned competitive leagues and educational programs for high school and middle school students across North America.
EdTechGamingSports Tech
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsClearVision EquityMoore Venture Partners
Goldfinch Health offers a surgery support program focused on improving pain management and recovery while reducing unnecessary opioid use after surgery.
Digital HealthHealthtechWellness & FitnessAustin, US
John Greenwood(Founder)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Healium is an immersive wellness platform that pairs VR with real-time biometric data such as EEG brainwaves and heart rate to give clinicians measurable, drug-free tools for managing patients' stress, anxiety, and pain.
Digital HealthHealthtechMental HealthWellness & Fitness
Sarah Hill(Founder)Dr. Jeff Tarrant(Co-founder)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsCitrine AngelsMissouri Technology CorporationNueterra Capital
Neonatal care technology developer for preterm and full-term infants.
BiotechOlathe, US
R. Bruce Richardson(Executive Officer)Michael D. Peck(Executive Officer)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsFlyover Capital
Kenzen develops AI-powered occupational health and safety systems that integrate predictive analytics and real-time monitoring to reduce workplace injuries and improve workforce performance.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechHR TechSan Francisco, US
Sonia Sousa(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJake Ireland(Director)Lorenzo Thione(Director)Steven Pecko(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcWorking Capital FundEvolution VC PartnersSignal Peak Ventures
Creator of Balance, a superfood shot delivering half a day's recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
FINRA-registered broker-dealer and online exchange for trading secondary real estate investment vehicles.
Overland Park, US
Brian King(Executive Officer, Director)Annemarie Tierney(Executive Officer, Director)Jeremy Smith(Executive Officer, Director)Jeffrey S. Kinney(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJohn Fein(Director)inGary Fish(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsFirebrand VenturesVista Equity Partners
Kansas City, US
Ronald T LeMay(Executive Officer, Director)Holly OKeefe(Executive Officer)Lance LeMay(Executive Officer, Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, Llc
Virtual primary care and patient advocacy company providing on-demand dedicated care teams.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
FinTech platform offering revenue-based financing for B2B subscription-based companies.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Cloud-based AI agents for healthcare administrative tasks and revenue cycle optimization.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
AR-driven order fulfillment platform with machine learning to optimize retail operations.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
PayIt provides digital payment and online services platforms to government agencies, helping residents pay bills and renew services online.
FintechGovTechSaaSKansas City, US
John Thomson(Founder and CEO)inMike Plunkett(Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer)John P Thomson(Executive Officer, Director)Michael Plunkett(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardScott Murphy(Director)inKevin Childress(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsInsight PartnersGovtech VenturesMissouri Technology CorporationRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcWeatherford CapitalAdvantage Capital Partners+1 more
IoT operating system and service delivery platform for enterprise IoT solutions.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Micro-learning platform delivering bite-sized training for deskless workforces.
Blue Springs, US
Tucker Garrett Graves(Co-manager)Greg Paul Gorgone(Co-manager)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
SaaS-based jobsite management software for construction project coordination and communications.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
API for transforming rich-media content like videos and podcasts into LLM-ready data.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Marketplace connecting fleets and drivers to a nationwide network of mechanics with AI-powered repair insights.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Roz builds AI tools for auditors, with a focus on security, compliance, and technology.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechLegalTechSaaS
Donnie Hampton(Founder)in
Co-investorsEntrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA)Service Provider CapitalG9 VenturesOutlander VCSilas Capital Partners
AI-native compliance platform automating manual document review and audit evidence gathering.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
AI-powered sales enablement solution using natural language processing for top-of-funnel prospecting.
Kansas City, US
Nicholas Smith(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardMichael Rockhold(Director)inJean-Luc Vanhulst(Director)inJohn Tedesco(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsLewis & Clark VenturesValor Ventures
AAHA-compliant web-based platform for veterinary hospitals managing dental and anesthesia workflows.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
ShotTracker provides basketball analytics using video, sensor data, and AI to track player and ball movement on the court.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureSports TechMission Hills, US
Davyeon D Ross(Executive Officer, Director)Ianni C Bruce(Executive Officer, Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsIrishAngelsR/GA VenturesSeventySix CapitalVerizon Ventures
AI-based smart building platform for performance and operations management.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Medication adherence system capturing patient data to drive behavioral interventions.
HealthtechOverland Park, US
MICHAEL J HUFFER(PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER)VICTOR CHU(SECRETARY AND TREASURER)STEPHAN VALTER(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardCHARLES W SCHELLHORN(Director)MICHAEL K MCMAHAN(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Advanced ManufacturingGrandview, US
DARYLL NOTTINGHAM(DIRECTOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND CONTRACTS)JEFFERY T. KOSTOS(PRESIDENT AND CEO, MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBER)JOON KIM(CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER AND MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBER)MITCH MABREY(VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING)
BoardMICHAEL YIM(MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBER)DENNIS ODELL(MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBER)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsEmerald Technology Ventures AgABB Technology VenturesChevron Technology VenturesEvergy VenturesNabtesco Technology Ventures
Kansas City, Missouri-based data and systems security platform using blockchain and encryption technology.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsMethod Capital
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsMissouri Technology CorporationNueterra CapitalLeawood Venture Capital Llc
Stay AI is a subscription management platform for e-commerce merchants that enables A/B testing, cross-selling, and personalized offers to reduce churn and increase average order value.
AI & Machine LearningE-commerceMarketing TechSaaS
Gina Perrelli(Co-Founder, CEO)inPierson(Co-Founder)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsRiverPark VenturesRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcWatchfire VenturesTelescope Partners
Advanced ManufacturingFintechInsurTechKansas City, US
Bek Dispatch Abdullayev(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardPat Matthews(Director)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsSilicon BadiaTamarind HillTechstarsActive Capital
Advanced monitoring platform for government authorities to electronically supervise criminal justice populations.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
NFT platform providing creator infrastructure, community tooling, and analytics for artists and collectors.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
TripleBlind develops privacy and security software using quantum-safe and cryptographic methods, with two main products: Privacy Suite for HIPAA-compliant sharing of protected health data and SecuriKey, a software-only security module addressing account takeover attacks.
CybersecurityDigital HealthSaaSKansas City, US
Riddhiman Das(Executive Officer, Director)Greg Storm(Executive Officer, Director)Andrew Krowne(Director)
BoardThad Langford(Director)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsClocktower VenturesFlyover CapitalDolby Family VenturesGeneral Catalyst
Vytelle offers an integrated technology platform for cattle producers to accelerate genetic progress and enable individual animal management.
AgTechBiotechFoodTechSaaSLenexa, US
Kerryann Kocher(Executive Officer, Director)Rudy Leemans(Executive Officer)
BoardDuane Cantrell(outgoing director)inJim Schultz(Director)Robin Readnour(Director)James (Jim) Shafter(outgoing director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsFulcrum Global CapitalMountain Group CapitalSerra Ventures
Whipz is a used-car dealer offering in-house financing with online pre-qualification, letting buyers get personalized payment terms via a 2-minute credit application and browse inventory with real numbers before purchase.
ConsumerFintechMarketplacesMobility & TransportationKansas City, US
Anders Ericson(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardCharles Clow(Director)Paul Ericson(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsConnetic Ventures
Hiring and career discovery marketplace for skilled-trade and service industry workers.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Technology platform for resident engagement and smart home solutions in apartment communities.
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Zohr provides mobile tire replacement and repair services that come directly to customers at their location.
Advanced ManufacturingB2B MarketplacesConsumerMobility & TransportationKansas City, US
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsFirebrand VenturesM25TechstarsTrucks VC
Rows marked “SEC filing” are inferred from directors named on the company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Exits · 1
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioBellwethracq. by Stay AI
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesLODAS Markets · crofirst.com · Jul 30, 2026
PayIt · fintechobserver.substack.com · Jul 14, 2026
backstitch · blog.treasurie.com · May 29, 2026
Benefitbay · fundraiseinsider.com · May 28, 2026
Rebulk · startlandnews.com · Mar 23, 2026
Roz · purepitchrally.com · Sep 19, 2025
Bungii · startlandnews.com · Aug 12, 2025
Daupler · startlandnews.com · Mar 7, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has KCRise Fund made?
- KCRise Fund has 56 tracked investments.
- What stage does KCRise Fund invest at?
- KCRise Fund invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is KCRise Fund's typical check size?
- KCRise Fund typically writes checks of $1M.
- What sectors does KCRise Fund focus on?
- KCRise Fund focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Enterprise Software, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is KCRise Fund located?
- KCRise Fund is headquartered in Kansas City, US.
- Does KCRise Fund lead rounds?
- KCRise Fund typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does KCRise Fund co-invest with?
- KCRise Fund most often shares deals with Missouri Technology Corporation, Royal Street Ventures Management Company, Llc, Techstars, among 65 tracked co-investors.
Images
Co-investors · 10
Silicon Badia is a venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs to solve major global problems, having invested in over 100 startups across more than 15 tech industries since 2012.
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Firebrand Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm that backs early-stage founders in markets between the coasts. It formed in 2019 from the merger of Firebrand and Blue Note Ventures, with offices in Boulder, Kansas City, and Austin.
Revolution is an investment firm that has backed founders, communities, and ideas for over two decades, spanning venture capital, entrepreneurship advocacy, and real estate and hospitality investments.
Origin Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing founders building companies in the artificial intelligence economy, focusing on infrastructure, software, applications, services, and marketplaces that transform productivity and automation.
Telescope Partners is a thesis-driven, early growth investor backing entrepreneurs building enterprise software companies, offering hands-on advice and bespoke support to founders.
Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchange operating since 2011, offering crypto trading along with related services such as margin trading, staking, derivatives, and (in the US) equities brokerage through Kraken Securities LLC.
Montage Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in startups across financial services, healthcare, and commerce, with a focus on AI-driven transformation of these sectors.
Ingeborg invests directly in early-stage, women-led startups with a focus on innovations improving motherhood, career, financial security, women's health, and living conditions. The firm also makes select investments in later-stage companies and women-led venture or private equity funds.
Tnt Ventures helps enterprise software founders and other technical professionals with fundraising services to increase capital.
Pritzker Group is a family-backed investment firm that partners with companies for the long term using a permanent capital base, and has acquired or invested in more than 100 companies.
Firms observed investing alongside KCRise Fund, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with KCRise Fund's recorded portfolio.
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