Venture Capital

KO client 50,000feet, an independent global brand consultancy and creative agency, recently announced that it has secured investment funding from Erie Street Growth Partners. The investment supports the fast-growing agency’s continued expansion and makes Erie Street a majority partner. 50,000feet CEO Jim Misener said in the announcement, “We’re excited to…

Longstanding KO clients Mike Gellman and Chris Glodé recently co-founded and launched Denver’s newest venture capital firm ThingVC. The micro venture capital fund aims to support underrepresented entrepreneurs who have historically been excluded from access to capital. The co-founders hope to see applications from veterans, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, people with…

KO client GoodBuy Gear, the leading online, managed marketplace for used baby and kid products, recently announced that it has raised $14 million in funding to further scale and solidify its position as the leading and most trustworthy baby and kid resale brand. “With this funding, we are able to…

KO client Stio, the outdoor lifestyle and technical apparel leader, recently announced that it has raised $20 million in growth capital. The investment will support new retail locations, future product category development, and a diversified, omnichannel approach. “Expanding our reach and entering into new categories is a direct outcome of…

Natural Products Expo West, the industry’s largest trade show, hosted more than 3,000 exhibiting companies and top retailers as well as 65,000 attendees at this year’s event. The show featured new food, beverage, and consumer goods products and innovations. Here’s a closer look at top trends that we expect to…

KO client Wave Life, a science-backed mental health platform aimed at supporting Gen Z, recently announced that it has closed on a $6 million seed investment. Sarah Adler, founder/CEO of Wave Life and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University, said, “We understand that the major challenges Gen Z…

Women remain underrepresented in the venture capital ecosystem. While female decision makers at venture capital firms and female-founded companies are on the rise, there is still significant progress to be made for underrepresented investors and founders. KO partner Jennifer Rosenthal recently co-founded a women in venture capital group that aims…

After record highs in 2021, recent reports show a global pullback in venture capital funding with a 33 percent drop from Q2 to Q3 2022. However, as founders prepare to weather a tougher fundraising environment, there is still some positive news. Nationally, dry powder, which is the amount of capital…