Marshall Ventures

Marshall Ventures is a micro-venture capital fund and business advisory firm based in Owensboro, Kentucky, founded in 2015 by John Marshall Moore, a fourth-generation business owner with a background in analyzing, strategizing, and capitalizing businesses. The Marshall Venture Fund is a $2 million vehicle backed by 16 local investors, with Jamie Johnson serving as Director of Business Development and Fund Administrator. The firm concentrates exclusively on early-stage growth businesses in Owensboro and Western Kentucky, preferring companies that have already developed a minimum viable product and are generating revenue. Typical investment sizes range from $100,000 to $300,000. The portfolio of five companies spans healthcare technology, clean energy, software, and education. The first local investment was $200,000 into Gryphon Environmental, a machinery and environmental services company, in September 2017. Prior investments include Liberate Medical (a Louisville medical device company, $100,000 in September 2016), Nectar Technologies (a Henderson, Kentucky clean coal technology company, $290,000 in July 2016), Giblib (an educational software and medical education platform), and Schedule It (financial software). Beyond capital, Marshall Ventures provides business advisory services to its portfolio and hosts events such as Pitch Day to connect local entrepreneurs with investors. The firm operates at a deliberate, regional pace rather than pursuing high-frequency deal flow, reflecting a commitment to building economic development capacity across Western Kentucky rather than maximizing returns through volume. No exits have been publicly reported to date.