The Fountain Innovation Fund provides promising startups a critical funding bridge between proof of concept and market validation, filling an investment void that regional governments and much of the current investment community, have not addressed. 

Using charitable donations and a model that has been successful in other regions, we invest in the most promising firms. This provides them critical time and resources to demonstrate commercial viability, and establish revenue. 

This new pathway will provide capital and wrap-around services to 6 to 10 companies each year, with an initial investment in the range of $50-100K. This injection of capital, plus mentoring guidance and education, will provide critical support, and accelerate the number of successful startups in the region. 

The Fountain Innovation Fund serves as a precursor to institutional and angel investment, providing line-of-sight and de-risking investment capital for regional angels and venture funds waiting to invest further along the continuum. 

The Fund positions Kansas City to compete, prosper and thrive in the ever-changing economy.