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QA with Nebraska Angels’ Laura Classen on EyeVerify’s recent acquisition
Kansas City based EyeVerify announced last week their acquisition by Alibaba subsidiary Ant Financial. Anonymous sources say the deal was over $100 million. Nebraska Angels was one of the first investments in the company. Laura Classen is the Executive Director for Nebraska Angels. SPN caught up with Classen over the phone. SPN: It may surprise some people…
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John Fein thinks Midwest VC isn’t aggressive enough—so he started a fund
With Firebrand Ventures’ $7 million VC fund, Techstars’ John Fein is on a mission to change startup investment across the Silicon Prairie. After three years as Managing Director at Kansas City’s Sprint Accelerator powered by Techstars, John Fein noticed a recurring problem. “It became very evident, especially after the second program that there was a pattern of very…
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QA with Jeff Slobotski on Router Ventures’ first investments
Last fall SPN caught up with Jeff Slobotski, co-founder of Silicon Prairie News and founder of Router Ventures, a Midwest-focused venture capital fund. Now with a few investments in his portfolio, we decided to check in with Slobotski to see what he’s been learning lately. SPN: Tell us a bit about what’s happened with Router…
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Raising money for startups: Racehorses vs. Golden Geese
It is easy for investors to get blinded by startup successes. They forget about the failures. Investors see failed startups as the “other” and act as if failure will not happen to them. They see failure as the result of stupidity and incompetence. They forget that people that fail go on to success, and people who succeed…
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The impact of Mark Crawford on Nebraska venture capital
In March 2016 Mark Crawford, CEO at Invest Nebraska, left to join Intel Capital in California. Dan Hoffman, Interim CEO, and Brock Smith, Senior Associate, submitted this article to SPN as a reflection on Crawford’s tenure. In 2012, Mark Crawford, known for classy suits and a shoe collection that would make Michael Jordan jealous, made…
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Mercury Fund’s Blair Garrou predicts a “soft landing” for Midwest venture capital as valuations fall
Blair Garrou is the co-founder of Mercury Fund, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Houston, Texas, with an active investment portfolio across the Midwest region. In January Mercury Fund will release its first annual report on the state of startups in the middle of the country. SPN caught up with Garrou over the phone to see what readers should expect in…
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Router Ventures has raised a $1 million fund so far
Router Ventures, a new Midwest venture capital fund led by Jeff Slobotski, has raised a $1 million fund so far, according to their public Form D filing. Although Router Ventures will continue fundraising over the next several months, Slobotski says they are already looking at deals. “We’re up and running,” said Slobotski. “We’re actively looking…
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Beeleev wants to bring international business to the Midwest
Paris-based Beeleev is expanding its network to the Midwest, and it’s looking for companies that want international connections. Beeleev is a global network for entrepreneurs who are looking to build business partnerships and share resources across borders. Membership in the community includes in-person events, online meetings, and organized group travel expeditions. They have offices in…
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QA with Mercury Fund’s Blair Garrou on VC funding in “the Middle”
Blair Garrou is the co-founder of Mercury Fund, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Houston, Texas, with an active investment portfolio across the Midwest region. SPN spoke with Garrou over the phone. SPN: As Mercury Fund, what’s attractive about companies in the Midwest? BG: Our core strategy is really investing in companies that aren’t on the coast. We…
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7 roles your early stage board should be playing
I often get asked about the role of a board of directors by both entrepreneurs and angels. I believe good boards can significantly and positively impact the growth of an early stage company. The responsibility for that growth falls not just on the CEO and management team but the board as well. In addition, the board…