BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

 

Read the latest Why We Invested blog featuring our investment in Prelude. Our 2024-2025 internship applications close October 11th. Learn more about our portfolio company, Exum Instruments, in this month’s highlight along with our other portfolio companies who are making news. Check out open jobs at our portfolio companies, view the ecosystem’s upcoming events, and meet Venture Noire, an ecosystem builder who is closing the quality-of-life gap.


Newsletter Elements

 

  • Cortado News
    • Why We Invested: Prelude
    • 2025 – 2026 Internship & Fellowship Programs Closing
    • Founder Hour & Funder Founder Dinner Recap
  • Portco News
    • Portco Highlight: EXUM
    • Portcos In The News
    • Portco Jobs
  • Ecosystem News & Events
    • Builder Highlight: Venture Noire
    • Upcoming Events

Cortado News

 

Why We Invested: Prelude

 

In our latest “Why We Invested” blog, we explore 19Days and Prelude, a Tulsa-based company that is redefining the death care industry. Prelude addresses critical challenges in the death care industry by offering a software solution that streamlines funeral pre-planning, providing both financial stability and peace of mind for families. Learn more about why we’re excited to invest in this customer-centric, tech-driven company.

Additionally, Funeral Director Daily recently highlighted our investment in Prelude, an innovative digital preneed funeral planning company. The article recognizes Prelude’s mission to transform the funeral pre-planning process by offering funeral homes and families a more personal, streamlined approach with AI-enabled software. Read the full article here.

2025-2026 Internship Applications Closing

 

Last call! Our 2025-2026 internship applications close in just 2 days – October 11! Don’t miss this chance to gain hands-on experience in venture capital, work alongside high-growth startups and learn from seasoned entrepreneurs. Whether you’re passionate about innovation or looking to make an impact, this is a unique opportunity to contribute to real-world projects. Click here to learn more and apply.

Founder Hour & Funder Founder Dinner Recap

 

We are excited to celebrate the success of two incredible events that brought together the brightest minds in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. From the insightful stories of successful entrepreneurs at Founders Who Flourish: A Look Inside the EIR Program to the dynamic networking and pitch sessions at our Funder Founder Dinner in Bentonville, AR, both events showcased the power of connection, innovation and community.

Thank you to our guest speakers Deb Moorad of CorriXR and Blake Bixler of Senslytics for sharing your journeys and insights. A big thank you to our Founders Who Flourish sponsors, McAfee & Taft and Regent Bank, and to our Funder Founder Dinner sponsors, McAfee & Taft and Gardner Tanenbaum, for their generous support in making these events possible. A special thank you to our wonderful host, Mansi Patel, for hosting Founders Who Flourish with passion and energy, and for helping create an inspiring atmosphere for all attendees!


Portco News 

 

Portco Highlight: EXUM Instruments

 

This month, we’re highlighting EXUM Instruments, a company that builds instruments and software ecosystems to increase the speed of development and discovery, offering easy access to high-performance at a low-cost. EXUM strives to give scientists and professionals the tools and experience they deserve by leveraging new technologies with modern design sensibilities to change the scientific instrumentation market. Learn more about EXUM.

Portcos In The News

 

Boddle Named as Finalist for $500,000 Yass Prize

 

Boddle Learning, has been named one of four finalists for a $500,000 award from The Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless education! This recognition highlights their innovative work in expanding educational opportunities across the country. The Yass Prize, now in its fourth year, celebrates top-tier education organizations and fosters partnerships that accelerate impact for students, parents, and teachers. A huge congratulations to the Boddle team and all other finalists for their inspiring work!

Wilder Systems Kicks Off STRATFI Phase II with Increased Funding

 

Wilder Systems, has executed a Sequential SBIR Phase II Other Transaction for Prototype (STRATFI) contract with the United States Air Force, valued at $30 million. This significant milestone reflects the Air Force’s confidence in Wilder Systems’ cutting-edge robotic solutions. As part of this four-year agreement, Wilder will deliver ten WS 5000 Agile Mobile Robots to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City and develop additional robotic maintenance capabilities. Click here to read more about Wilder’s innovation and growth in the aerospace industry.

Apricot Technologies Utilizes Artificial Intelligence for More Efficient Nursing Documentation

 

Trent Smith, founder of Accentra Home Health and Hospice, launched Apricot Technologies, an AI-powered application that streamlines documentation, allowing nurses to complete their reports in just 15 minutes. Apricot not only reduces paperwork but has also eliminated turnover in Smith’s agency, where nurse retention previously exceeded 30% annually. Learn more about how Apricot is revolutionizing how nurses work, enabling them to focus more on what truly matters—patient care.

Safety Radar featured in ISS Source for Innovative Approach to Risk Management

 

Our portfolio company, Safety Radar, was featured in ISS Source for their innovative AI-driven approach to risk management. Safety Radar’s Live Risk Platform uses real-time data and AI technology to quickly assess potential hazards, allowing companies to spend less time reading reports and more time protecting their employees and assets. With over $1.5 million raised in seed funding, including from Cortado Ventures, Safety Radar is set to revolutionize safety practices in the workplace.

Portco Jobs

 

Boddle – Senior Software Architect

Drov Technologies – Quality Assurance Engineer

Lumata Health – VP of Clinical Operations

Lumata Health – Strategic Finance Analyst

Lumata Health – Enrollment Specialist (Outbound Sales)

Safety Radar – Implementation Specialist – SAFE AI

Volt – Sr. Account Executive

Volt – Head of Finance

Wilder Systems – Mechanical Engineer

Wilder Systems – Controls Engineer

Wilder Systems – Field Technician

Wilder Systems – Robotics Software Engineer


Ecosystem News & Events

 

Builder Highlight: Venture Noire

 

We’re excited to spotlight Venture Noire, an Arkansas-based organization on a mission to close the quality-of-life gap. By uniting high-potential founders and experts with top public and private corporations, Venture Noire fosters innovative projects that drive meaningful change. Their vibrant community, including Nobel Prize winners, activists, technologists, and business leaders, is focused on research, incubation, and the acceleration of new ideas.

Ecosystem Events