INVESTMIDWEST 2025

Who we are

InvestMidwest highlights startups in the Midwest region with the most promise for success.

The conference provides an ideal opportunity for entrepreneurs to raise capital and all attendees to make new connections.

InvestMidwest brings together startups and investors seeking to cultivate connection and foster innovation throughout the Midwest. With about 300 attendees from across the country it is the premier conference for companies seeking seed through series B funding across a variety of industries.

The Forum delivers a mix of on-stage content, structured networking sessions, smaller invite-only sessions, and one-on-one meeting time, creating multiple opportunities to build the trust-based relationships that enable successful deals.

What we do

Meet The Executive Director

Smiling photo of ED Claire Kinlaw

I am very pleased for the opportunity to work with the InvestMidwest Advisory Board and other stakeholders in the innovation ecosystems of St. Louis and Kansas City to relaunch InvestMidwest as a vital in-person event. Bringing entrepreneurs and investors together from across the Midwest will further the commercialization of technologies in three important industry areas: agriculture, healthcare, and technology, including an emerging geospatial sector.”

Executive Director, Claire Kinlaw

Meet the Board

  • Jeremy Degenhart

    Advantage Capital Partners
    Board Chair

  • Jill Meyer

    UMKC Innovation Center

  • Randy Buseman

    Ernst & Young- Retired Parner

  • Bob Calcaterra

    StartUp Partners International LLC
    MedTech Track Chair

  • Duane Cantrell

    Fulcrum Global Capital

  • Brian Matthews

    Cultivation Capital

  • Derek Rapp

    RiverVest Ventures

  • Alfred Jackson

    Arch Grants

640+ presenting companies to date, each meeting with an average of seven VCs attending the forum

Meet the Planning Committee

  • Aaliyah Aramjoo

    KCRise Fund

  • Connie Bowen

    Farmhand Ventures

  • Lyndsey Gruber

    InvestMidwest Events and Engagement Manager

  • Candace Seeve

    InvestMidwest Conference Coordinator

  • Tammy Platt

    Nestlé Purina North America

  • Christine Karslake

    AgriFood Tech Track Chair

  • Buddy Foster

    Buddy Foster

    Digital Track Chair

  • Jorgen Gjestvang

    Jorgen Gjestvang

    Student Volunteer Coordinator

“InvestMidwest is the premier venture conference in the central Midwest — a great opportunity to see early-stage companies and to interact with colleagues.”

— Tom Melzer, Managing Director RiverVest Venture Partners