Our story

Since launching in 2013, our vision has continued to evolve. What started as a group of serial entrepreneurs testing various business ideas has grown into an investment firm that is on pace to make 30 investments by 2025. 

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Our investment thesis was born out of our desire to bring targeted, strategic capital to early-stage companies.

Headquartered in Merriam, KS, we invest at the Seed and Series A stage across the United States and Canada in companies that fit our focus areas of agriculture, animal health, and human health. In addition to being able to provide expertise in these areas, we are bullish in our desire to support companies that will enable our global population to thrive as we approach 10 billion people living on our planet in 2050. 

Our diligence process includes a robust review of the startup company by our professional staff, industry experts and later-stage investors so that we have a deep understanding of the potential upside and areas of risk for every company in which we invest.

We take an active approach to investing by building relationships with our portfolio company founders and providing them with ongoing support throughout the lifetime of our investment. Our connections and expertise in the industries we specialize in enables us to be a valued partner for startups poised for growth.

Meet our team

 
R. Lee HarrisCEO, Cohen-Esrey, LLC iiM Managing Member

R. Lee Harris

CEO, Cohen-Esrey, LLC
iiM Managing Member

Jeanette JayneManaging Director and Executive Vice President, Cohen-Esrey, LLC

Jeanette Jayne

Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Cohen-Esrey, LLC

Bob EsreyChairman, Cohen-Esrey, LLC

Bob Esrey

Chairman, Cohen-Esrey, LLC

 
Lee BorckChairman, Innovative Livestock Services, Inc.

Lee Borck

Chairman, Innovative Livestock Services, Inc.

Dr. Kelly LechtenbergFounder and President Midwest Veterinary Services

Dr. Kelly Lechtenberg

Founder and President
Midwest Veterinary Services

Lamar EbySenior Executive, Business and Leadership Development

Lamar Eby

Senior Executive, Business and Leadership Development

 
Lydia KinkadeManaging Director, iiM

Lydia Kinkade

Managing Director, iiM

Dr. Blake WilliamsonFounder of Healthcare Innovations Consulting Group

Dr. Blake Williamson

Founder of Healthcare Innovations Consulting Group

Mike McRoberts

Angel Investor

 
Jason RawlingsCEO, Focus Workforces

Jason Rawlings

CEO, Focus Workforces

Amanda (Curtis) BurkardtCEO and Founder, Nutripeutics iiM Consulting Director

Amanda (Curtis) Burkardt

CEO and Founder, Nutripeutics
iiM Consulting Director

Rick KahleEntrepreneur

Rick Kahle

Entrepreneur

 
Jon FergusonFormer Commercial Farm Operator

Jon Ferguson

Former Commercial Farm Operator

Cisse Spragins, Ph.DFounder, Owner & CEO Rockwell Labs Ltd.

Cisse Spragins, Ph.D

Founder, Owner & CEO
Rockwell Labs Ltd.

Dana Hauck

Partner, Innovative Livestock Services, Inc.

 
David MorrisCEO, Premium Nutritional Products

David Morris

CEO, Premium Nutritional Products

Daniel E. Walker, Ph.DSerial Entrepreneur

Daniel E. Walker, Ph.D

Serial Entrepreneur

 
Chuck MackeyPresident of Capital Mangement, Inc

Chuck Mackey

President of Capital Management, Inc

Dr. Jamie McAteeManaging Partner, Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center

Dr. James R. McAtee

Managing Partner, Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center

Harriet S. Langely, M.D.Nephrologist, Midwest Nephrology Consultants

Dr. Harriet S. Langely

Nephrologist, Midwest Nephrology Consultants

 
Bob KirklandFounding Partner, Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP

Robert Kirkland

Founding Partner, Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP

 

Dr. Michael Perry

Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

Philip N. Krause

Founding Member - Krause Law LLC

 

Crissa (Seymour) Cook

Partner - Hovey Williams

Nicholas Hense

Principal, iiM