More than 140 fast-growth startup companies from 19 states have applied to present their cases to prospective investors at the upcoming InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum in Kansas City.
The event will be March 19-20 at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, where companies will seek at least $1 million in funding.
InvestMidwest, which is honoring 20 years of introducing fast-growth businesses to prospective investors, will continue to offer early registration rates through March 1.
A selection committee comprised of venture capitalists, business leaders and executives from across the region will select up to 40 of the best applicants to present at InvestMidwest. Those selections are expected to be finalized by Feb. 15, said Executive Director Christine Walsh.
“InvestMidwest consistently offers a carefully curated collection of the Midwest region’s best young companies that are seeking investments to help boost their businesses to the next level,” Walsh said. “Because we have such strong companies presenting, we consistently attract a great group of investors.”
InvestMidwest 2019 will include three separate industry tracks presenting simultaneously: a life sciences track; an agriculture, food and bioenergy track; and a technology track. Presenters will have no more than eight minutes apiece to make a compelling case about their respective businesses to pique the interest of prospective funders.
In addition to industry track venues for presentations, InvestMidwest offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs to meet privately with venture capitalists, private and corporate investors, and business, legal and financial professionals.
2018’s InvestMidwest event in St. Louis saw about 350 attendees, and Walsh said she expects a similar turnout at Kansas City’s forum.
“When the final selection process is complete, we anticipate there will be 36-40 dynamic, fast-growth companies presenting at this year’s InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum,” Walsh said.
Companies that presented at the previous 19 InvestMidwest events have raised funding in excess of $1 billion in equity, corporate collaborations and exit proceeds.
