Iron Prairie Ventures launches $15M fund to back early-stage startups fueling America’s industrial comeback

While flashy consumer startups often steal the spotlight, a quiet transformation is underway in America’s industrial backbone — and Iron Prairie Ventures is betting big on it.

The Kansas City-based VC firm just announced a $15 million fund aimed at backing early-stage startups building real-world tech for construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, and supply chain. The target? Founders modernize industries that have been stuck with outdated systems for decades.

“Now is the perfect time to invest in America’s reindustrialization,” said founder and GP Maggie Kenefake. “The shift towards domestic production, coupled with advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity for investors. Iron Prairie is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this moment, thanks to our extensive network of industry relationships and a strong understanding of the sector’s challenges and the opportunities needed to revitalize American industry.”

Kenefake knows the space. She’s backed over 30 startups in the past, and her network includes corporate execs, industrial veterans, and Midwest operators who know how to build things that last. The fund plans to invest in about 25 companies, with checks ranging from $250,000 to $650,000. But this isn’t just capital — founders also get access to Fortune 1000 partners in the Midwest and deep industry insight from people who’ve actually worked in the trenches.

Why now? A McKinsey report notes that while industry makes up as much as 20% of the U.S. economy, nearly 70% of companies are still lagging in digital adoption. It’s a massive market hiding in plain sight.

Iron Prairie’s portfolio already includes 14 startups, such as:

• Arvist (Chicago): Building autonomous systems to streamline warehouse operations.

• Bastazo (Fayetteville): AI-powered cybersecurity focused on operational technology.

• SysGit (Los Angeles): A modern engineering platform that uses Git-style workflows for systems design.

• Agloma (New York): Automating real estate feasibility and design to cut costs and speed up development.

“Maggie’s industry expertise and vision for revitalizing the industrial base make Iron Prairie Ventures a standout in early-stage investing,” said Jeff Placek, CFO of McCownGordon. “Her strategic guidance and network empower startups to thrive.”

Founders agree. “Iron Prairie Ventures isn’t just an investor, but they truly understand the complexities of building an industrial start-up,” said Nilay Parikh, founder and CEO of Arvist. “Maggie’s experience and network in the Midwest industrial ecosystem have been instrumental in helping us scale and navigate the unique challenges we face scaling our business.”

For Iron Prairie, it’s not about chasing hype. It’s about rebuilding what matters.