Kansas City · Pre-Seed–Series A · 5 people tracked
Also known as KCRISE CAPITAL, LLC
Find your way into KCRise Fund
1,565 people in our graph share verified history with the KCRise Fund team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
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 Sep 15, 2026.
Team · 5 people
from the firm's website & public directories
Founder mafia
2 people who came through KCRise Fund went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 38 of 66 portfolio companiesSaaS ×17AI & Machine Learning ×13Enterprise Software ×7Healthtech ×7Fintech ×6Mobility & Transportation ×6HR Tech ×5Digital Health ×4
HQs:United States×36
Who they back
founder profiles across 21 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×132 founders×63 founders×14+ founders×1
What their founders studiedfrom 10 founders with field-of-study data
Computer Science ×3Business & Management ×2Economics ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 66 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 12025 · 12024 · 12023 · 52022 · 22021 · 52020 · 42019 · 22017 · 12016 · 12015 · 12014 · 125 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)inStefanie M. Warzecha(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardChris Seago(Director)
Board seatDarcy Howe· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsCapital Midwest FundMissouri Technology CorporationSandalphon CapitalService Provider 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)in
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)in
BoardTom Ferguson(Director)inJiten Manglani(Director)
Board seatDarcy Howe· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsBURNT ISLAND VENTURESKnoll VenturesRunway Venture PartnersSandalphon CapitalService Provider 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)in
Board seatDarcy Howe· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsBeacon AngelsClimate Innovation CapitalEvergreen Climate InnovationsService Provider CapitalStout Street CapitalSustainVC+1 more
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 LightCorrelation Ventures
Attane Health provides nutritious groceries and educational resources tailored for people with chronic health conditions.
Digital HealthFoodTechHealthtechWellness & Fitness
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investors1st Course CapitalAcumen AmericaBluestein 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 SolanesinJosh ParsonsRyan Davisin
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investors500 GlobalChaifetz GroupOrigin VenturesRevolutionRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcSazze+5 more
Workers' compensation management software company managing employee lifecycle from hire to retirement.
Overland Park, US
Matthew Condon(Executive Officer, Director)inJeff Hogland(Executive Officer, Director)Paul Morris(Executive Officer, Director)in
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)inDaron 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)inScott Shane(Director)inDavid Lambert(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsInvest NebraskaRSCMTen 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
Boddle develops interactive learning software for students that adapts to individual learners and tracks their academic performance.
EdTechTulsa, US
Edna Martinson(Executive Officer)inClarence Tan(Executive Officer, Director)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsAtento CapitalCortado VenturesLightship CapitalPlains VenturesService Provider CapitalAlpine Ventures+1 more
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
Ben Jackson(Executive Officer, Director)inHarrison 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
A vehicle inspection platform that uses camera scanning to identify automotive damage, enabling car rental companies to document vehicle condition, distinguish pre-existing from new damage, and share inspection results with customers.
AI & Machine LearningInsurTechMobility & TransportationRetail Tech
Eugene Greenberg(Co-Founder and Chairman)inDmitry Geyzersky(Co-Founder and CTO)inJosh Parsons(CEO)in
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 angelsDragonflyGobi PartnersMetastableRed Beard VenturesSora Ventures+8 more
Degree Insurance offers an insurance product marketed around guaranteeing outcomes tied to earning a degree.
InsurTech
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsTrust Ventures
eHawk, Inc. is a criminal justice technology company that builds RePath, a smartphone-based community supervision platform with AI-powered tools for probation and parole officers, offering an alternative to detention and ankle monitors.
AI & Machine LearningGovTechSaaSBlue Springs, US
Bart Cooper(Executive Officer, Director)James Walker(Executive Officer, Director)Michael B. Moore(Executive Officer, Director)Chris Vinall(Director)
Co-investorsSandalphon CapitalService Provider Capital
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 EquityEl Cap 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)inDr. Jeff Tarrant(Co-founder)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsCitrine AngelsMissouri Technology CorporationNueterra CapitalImpact Venture 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-investorsEvolution VC PartnersRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcSand Hill AngelsWorking Capital FundSignal Peak Ventures
Kansas City, US
Ronald T LeMay(Executive Officer, Director)Holly OKeefe(Executive Officer)Lance LeMay(Executive Officer, Director)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, Llc
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)
BoardScott Murphy(Director)inKevin Childress(Director)Will Weatherford(Director)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsInsight PartnersGovtech VenturesMissouri Technology CorporationRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcWeatherford CapitalAdvantage Capital Partners+1 more
Plotly builds data visualization tools and platforms for analysts, engineers, scientists, and coding agents, including open-source graphing libraries and frameworks plus cloud and self-hosted app platforms.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeveloper Tools
Co-investorsVanedge CapitalGroundBreak VenturesSuffolk Technologies
Plot is an AI video social listening platform that watches, listens to, and reads social video to capture brand mentions and turn them into signals for marketing teams.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechSaaS
Thomas Chang Min Jeon (He/Him)(Founder)in
Co-investorsACME CapitalBroom VenturesTrust FundGroundBreak VenturesSeven Seven SixSuffolk Technologies+1 more
PLOT develops software that helps construction contractors manage project schedules, material procurement, and delivery logistics.
Construction TechLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Chris Callen(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsAlloy PartnersGroundBreak VenturesIron PrairieSuffolk Technologies
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
Sailes offers an AI-powered sales automation tool that handles prospecting tasks such as lead discovery, data cleaning, and buyer interactions to deliver qualified leads to sales teams.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales TechKansas 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
ShotTracker builds real-time data and AI-driven analytics technology for basketball, using sensor hardware to capture game data.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureHardwareSaaSSports TechMission Hills, US
Ianni C Bruce(Executive Officer, Director)Davyeon Ross(Co-Founder & CEO)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsIrishAngelsR/GA VenturesService Provider CapitalSeventySix CapitalVerizon Ventures
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)inMITCH MABREY(VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING)
BoardMICHAEL YIM(MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBER)DENNIS ODELL(MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBER)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsEmerald Technology Ventures AgABB Technology VenturesChevron Technology VenturesEnergy Innovation CapitalEvergy VenturesNabtesco Technology Ventures
SquareOffs is a social polling platform where users vote on debated questions, defend their position, and see aggregated opinions.
ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentSocial
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)Taylor Cawiezell(Co-Founder, Innovation)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsRiverPark VenturesRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcWatchfire VenturesSocial Impact CapitalTelescope Partners
Advanced ManufacturingFintechInsurTechKansas City, US
Bek Dispatch Abdullayev(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardPat Matthews(Director)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsSilicon BadiaTamarind HillTechstarsActive CapitalFirebrand Ventures
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Tradeport is a marketplace and trading platform for NFTs and crypto tokens, offering NFT trading, token swaps, a launchpad, and DeFi features across multiple blockchains.
Crypto & Web3FintechMarketplaces
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsHivemind Capital Partners
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)inAndrew Krowne(Director)in
BoardThad Langford(Director)in
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsClocktower VenturesFlyover CapitalAccenture VenturesDolby Family VenturesGeneral CatalystNextGen Venture Partners+1 more
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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)inRudy Leemans(Executive Officer)in
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)in
BoardCharles Clow(Director)Paul Ericson(Director)
PartnerDarcy Howe· solo GP
Co-investorsConnetic VenturesService Provider Capital
Hiring and career discovery marketplace for skilled-trade and service industry workers.
EdTechHR TechWichita, US
Co-investorsTechstarsBloomberg BetaGraham Walker VentureNew Community Transformation DenverRise of the Rest SeedSandalphon Capital+1 more
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-investorsExpansion Venture CapitalFirebrand VenturesM25TechstarsTrucks VC
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
StoryUPAI Care CoPilotBacklotCarsBoddleDeemDunamiDynamhexLife EqualsLODAS MarketsModRN HealthNovel CapitalOutbound AIOxPepperPineapple AcademyRealtoRigScoutSite 1001SMRxTSpiderOakSuperviseZego
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
1 acquisitionsBellwethracq. by Stay AI
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesLODAS Markets · crofirst.com · Jul 30, 2026
TradePort · thecurrentga.org · Jul 28, 2026
PayIt · fintechobserver.substack.com · Jul 14, 2026
Plot · alleywatch.com · Jun 10, 2026
Plot · prnewswire.com · Jun 2, 2026
backstitch · blog.treasurie.com · May 29, 2026
Benefitbay · fundraiseinsider.com · May 28, 2026
Rebulk · startlandnews.com · Mar 23, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has KCRise Fund made?
- KCRise Fund has 66 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited, including 2 dated in the last 24 months.
- 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 Service Provider Capital, Missouri Technology Corporation, Royal Street Ventures Management Company, Llc, among 70 tracked co-investors.
Images
Co-investors · 10
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.
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.
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.
Montage Ventures is an early-stage venture firm backing founders building AI-driven companies across financial services, healthcare, and commerce.
Telescope Partners is a thesis-driven, early growth investor backing entrepreneurs building enterprise software companies, offering hands-on advice and bespoke support to founders.
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.
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.
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.
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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