While flashy consumer startups often steal the spotlight, a quiet transformation is underway in the American industrial backbone. Iron Prairie Ventures have a big bet on it.
The Kansas City-based VC company has announced a $15 million fund aimed at supporting early stage startups building real-world technologies for construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics and supply chains. target? Founders modernize industries that have been stuck with outdated systems for decades.
“Now is the best time to invest in re-maining America,” said founder and GP Maggie Kenneferki. “Coupled with advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the transition to domestic production is creating a once-generation opportunity for investors. The iron grasslands are setting themselves up to take advantage of this moment.
Kenefake knows the space. She has supported more than 30 startups in the past, and her network includes corporate executives, industrial veterans and Midwest operators. The fund will invest in around 25 companies, with checks ranging from $250,000 to $650,000. But this is more than just capital. Founders have access to Midwest Fortune 1000 partners and deep industry insights from people who have actually worked at Trench.
Why now? McKinsey’s report shows that industry is still as well as 20% of the US economy, but nearly 70% of companies are still behind digital adoption. It’s a massive market hidden in front of you.
Iron Prairie’s portfolio already includes 14 startups, including:
Arvist (Chicago): Building an autonomous system to streamline warehouse operations.
Bastazo (Fayetteville): AI-driven cybersecurity focused on operational technology.
Sysgit (Los Angeles): A modern engineering platform that uses Git-style workflows for system design.
Agloma (New York): Automate real estate feasibility and design to reduce costs and speed up development.
“Maggie’s industry expertise and vision to revitalize industrial bases make Iron Prairie venture stand out in early stage investments,” said Jeff Placek, CFO at McOwngordon. “Her strategic guidance and networking empowers startups to flourish.”
The founder agrees. “Iron Prairie Ventures is more than just an investor, but they really understand the complexities of building an industrial startup,” says Nilay Parikh, founder and CEO of Arvist. “Maggie’s experience and network in the Midwest industrial ecosystem helped us to expand and navigate our unique challenges of expanding our business.”
For the iron grasslands, it’s not about chasing hype. It’s about reconstructing what’s important.
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