Living in Kansas, you must have witnessed the exceptional acceleration of the tech industry. Every month, we get to hear some new innovative startup ideas led by amazing entrepreneurs.

However, one question that pops up in everyone’s minds is how these startups get funded. What network or individual guides them through this journey and helps them succeed?

Well, it’s the angel investors. Kansas is filled with many individual investors and angel networks throughout Wichita, Topeka and Othale provide funding to deserving startups.

That is why I have prepared a list of the top 6 angel investors in Kansas and ways to get funding from them.

Top 6 Angel Investors in Kansas

Following is the list of some of the top angel investors, networks, and VC firms that fund startups in Kansas.

Lisa Feria

LinkedIn: Lisa Feria | LinkedIn

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Tech, and Food and Beverages

Investment Stage: Early and Seed

With more than 15 years of experience in funding startups, Lisa Feria is one of the most renowned angel investors in Kansas. She is currently a managing partner and CEO at Stray Dog Capital. Aside from her VC investments, Lisa Feria also focuses on individual startup funding. 

When funding startups, she focuses on the biotechnology sector and various food-enabling technologies such as cellular agriculture, precision fermentation, and molecular farming. Her main focus is to build a more sustainable, nutritious, cheaper food system.

Similarly, she has also worked with General Mills and has spent a lot of time in the food industry. Her exceptional knowledge and experience are quite useful for early-stage and seed-stage startups during the mentorship programs.

The investment range of Lisa Feria ranges from $100,000 to $2M, for her individual investments. Among 20 of her portfolio companies, some notable names are:

Beyond Meat: Beyond Meat is a producer of plant-based meat substitutes. The company went public in 2019, becoming the first plant-based meat analog company to go public. Beyond Meat has raised a total of $158.1M in funding over 15 rounds.

Nod Pod: Nodpod is a patent pending weighted sleep mask that distributes the pressure perfect amount of weight for sleep. Using the science of deep touch pressure, nodpod naturally reduces stress and anxiety, providing deep sleep. 

Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is a company that provides a plant-based meal delivery service. It includes the delivery of fresh, pre-portioned ingredients. Purple Carrot has raised a total of $13.8M in funding over 5 rounds.

Adam Blake

LinkedIn: Adam Blake | LinkedIn

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Tech

Investment Stage: Early

Adam Blake is also an individual angel investor and entrepreneur who likes to fund tech-related startups. He has funded around 5 startups since 2020 and continues to expand his portfolio.

As for Blake's experience, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Zego until it was acquired by PayLease. Prior to Zego, he founded Brightergy and many other energy-related companies.

When funding startups, Adam Blake takes a very focused approach and only invests in startups that have the potential to grow. Similarly, he also likes to fund ventures that present unique solutions and have a strong understanding of the competitors and market growth.

The investment range of Adam Blake can range from $100,000 to $200,000, as he only invests in early stage startups. Some of his notable portfolio companies include:

Enki: Enki is a company that optimizes workflows and maximizes employee potential through AI-powered skills training in productivity tools. Enki has raised a total of $3M in funding over 4 rounds.

AnswersNow: AnswersNow is a company that has developed an app to revolutionize autism support by utilizing technology. The app connects caregivers and parents of children with autism via private texts and videos. AnswersNow has raised a total of $13.9M in funding over 8 rounds.

Nuterra Capital

Website: Nueterra Capital - Venture Capital Firm Changing the Future of Healthcare

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Tech, Healthcare, Digital Businesses, and Consumer Products. 

Investment Stage: Seed and Late

Founded in 1997, Nuterra Capital is also one of the biggest VC firms in Kansas. The network was founded by Dan Tasset and has funded around 20 companies. Even when they haven't funded a lot of ventures, Nuterra Capital likes to make big investments in the healthcare sectors at the seed and late stage.

When funding startups, they focus on startups that solve real-time problems and provide innovative solutions. During the screening tests, they look for entrepreneurs who have the potential to demonstrate the profitability and growth of their startups.

Aside from investments, Nuterra Capital also arranges a lot of mentorship programs and networking events. In the past three years, they have collaborated with LaunchKC to establish the Launch Health Accelerator. This accelerator program is designed to attract the best and brightest entrepreneurs from around the globe to come to Kansas City for further development.

The investment range of Nuterra Capital ranges from $5 Million to $10 Million. Some of their famous investments include:

Homebase: Homebase is a company that develops employee management tools. Its software enables businesses to manage time clocks, team communication, hiring, onboarding, compliance, etc. Homebase has raised a total of $71 million in Series C funding.

Muve Health: Muve Health is an innovative healthcare delivery organization that develops, markets, and operates a unique set of hyper-specialized assets. They provide Total Joint Replacement (TJR) surgeries in a non-institutionalized setting.

Garry Fish

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Software

Investment Stage: Early

Garry Fish is also a notable angel investor who funds Kansas-based startups. He started funding startups after the success of startups that were led by him. Thanks to his extensive experience in the retail industry, Garry knows which startups to invest in and lead toward success.

Unlike many other investors in Kansas, Garry Fish likes to meet entrepreneurs and discuss the future of their companies before directly investing. This often happens when he makes individual investments aside from his participation in fundraisers.

Similarly, Garry Fish is also known for arranging different mentorship programs to boost the startup growth. He has been the head of 6 different companies and currently holds the position of Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Fishtech Group and Haystax Tech.

The investment range of Garry Fish ranges from $50,000 to $500,000. Some of his notable investments are:

Front Flip: Front Flip is a customer loyalty platform. Its software enables businesses to manage time clocks, team communication, hiring, onboarding, compliance, etc. Front Flip has raised a total of $7.7M in funding over 2 rounds.

LODAS Markets: LODAS Markets is a marketplace for investors to trade non-traded REITs, BDCs, and other private real estate investments. It is based in Overland Park, Kansas, and has raised a total of $8M in funding over 2 rounds.

John Fien

LinkedIn: John Fien | LinkedIn

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Fintech

Investment Stage: Early

As the managing partner at Fireband Ventures, John Fien is also recognized for his contribution to the startup landscape of Kansas. As an individual investor, John Fien has made around 15 investments and continues to fund startups. In 2024, John Fien announced his funding programs, targeting climate tech, clean tech, and IoT startups.

During the funding stage, John likes to fund ventures that can generate climate-benefiting software or produce solutions. Among his portfolio companies, most have provided reliable solutions, explaining the center of interest of John Fien.

Similarly, John Fien also likes to conduct different mentorship programs for his portfolio companies. However, he doesn't actively participate in a lot of networking or accelerator events.

The investment range of John Fien can range upto 200,000 as he usually invests at the Seed stage. Some of his portfolio companies are:

Realto: Realto is a provider of financial solutions for the investment industry. The company has raised a total of $8 million.

HData: HData is a RegTech company that helps data companies deliver and scale RegTech solutions that serve government regulators, regulated enterprises, markets, and investors. The company has raised a total of $3.4 million.

Konza Valley Capital

Investor Type: Private Equity Firm

Investment Interests: Tech and Manufacturing

Investment Stage: Seed

As a part of the KC collective, Konza Valley Capital also funds startups in Kansas. The network has funded around 20 startups in Kansas in the previous 5 years.

During the screening tests, they invest in lower middle-market companies operating in the manufacturing, service, distribution, retail, and technology-related sectors in Midwestern-based companies.

The investment range of KC Collective ranges from $1 million to $3 million. Among many of their investments, some notable companies are 

Advanced Industries: Advanced Industries operates in the retail sector.

AirWorx: AirWorx is a startup that provides the latest in unmanned aerial, underwater, and ground tactical solutions.

Wrap Up

Even with so many angel investors, you might think about which investor can be the perfect one to pitch to and secure funding.

The answer depends on your startup sector, achievements, and, most importantly, growth potential. Research each of the investors and VC firms to understand their requirements. You can only present a successful pitch deck if you know the investor to whom you’re pitching.

Good Luck!

Frequently Asked Questions