Redbud VC

Redbud VC is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Columbia, Missouri, founded in 2021 by Willy and Jabbok Schlacks, alongside Jai Malik and Brett Calhoun. The firm focuses on providing both monetary and social capital to tech founders in North America, with a particular focus on the Midwest and Missouri. Redbud VC is committed to supporting founders who thrive in adversity, helping them create generational wealth and successfully scale their startups. The firm invests in sectors such as fintech, health and wellness, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing, taking an industry-agnostic approach to innovation. Redbud VC typically offers $50K to $150K in funding at the idea and pre-seed stages, providing operational and product support along with mentorship from seasoned operators who have built billion-dollar companies. This "white-glove" level of support is grounded in the founders' firsthand experience of building successful businesses, particularly their involvement in EquipmentShare, a Y Combinator-backed startup that has transformed the construction industry. Redbud VC places an emphasis on founders with a strong drive to overcome challenges, offering resources like hiring assistance, AWS credits, and introductions to investors, customers, and partners. The firm helps founders stay focused on the critical aspects of building a successful company by removing unnecessary barriers and providing support every step of the way.