Invest Midwest attendees network in the hallways. Photo by Royce Haynes.
With venture capitalists and angel investors wanting a piece of the latest biotech and internet startups, Midwest companies who participated at the 12th Annual InvestMidwest event this past Thursday enjoyed discussion with a slate of interested parties.
Similar to previous years, InvestMidwest focused on three broad industries: alternative energy, life sciences, and technology. Three rooms were set up by industry and company leaders were given 10 minutes each to present their business, financials and future plans. In total, 44 companies pitched investors. At least 12 of those companies were from the Kansas City and Lawrence area, collectively covering each industry:
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- AirMass (Lenexa, Kan.)
- Aratana Therapeutics (Kansas City, Kan.)
- Audio Anywhere (Lawrence, Kan.)
- CentraMart (North Kansas City, Mo.)
- ChocoFinesse (Lenexa, Kan.)
- First Element Energy (Lenexa, Kan.)
- ImmunoGenetix (Lenexa, Kan.)
- Mobile Symmetry (Fairway, Kan.)
- Nowa Technology (Prairie Village, Kan.)
- OsteoGeneX (Kansas City, Kan.)
- TVAX Biomedical (Lenexa, Kan.)
- Visimed (Overland Park, Kan.)
So, what does it take to present your product or service at InvestMidwest? After speaking with some of the companies that pitched at this year’s Invest Midwest, here are four qualifications:
- A company product or service that fits in energy, life sciences or technology
- An existing business model and validated market
- Looking to raise at least $1 million in investment
- A business model that can withstand a rigorous screening process
To learn more about InvestMidwest, visit investmidwestforum.com or see the Kansas City Business Journal’s Coverage: “InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum hints at economic recovery.”