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Funded Ventures, a Midwest-focused investment firm, has named Savannah Rush as Managing Partner, joining founder Brian Wolfe to co-lead the firm’s next phase of growth. Rush’s arrival coincides with the completion of the firm’s seed portfolio, marking a significant milestone in its mission to acquire and grow essential-service businesses across the Midwest.
A native of Springfield, Missouri, Rush grew up around her family’s small roofing business and developed an early appreciation for the resilience and challenges of local entrepreneurs. After earning her MBA from Harvard Business School, she joined McKinsey & Company, advising PE and growth-investing clients on strategy and transformation.
Now, at Funded Ventures, Rush brings that experience back to the small-business arena. “Funded Ventures stands for the kind of business building I deeply believe in — long-term orientation, real alignment with operators, and a focus on enduring value,” she shared.
Funded Ventures’ initial phase culminates in a four-platform portfolio spanning critical service sectors:
- Heating & cooling services: A residential and commercial HVAC platform led by Jim McFarland, recently expanded with the acquisition of Naugle Heating & Cooling.
- Electrical & home security services: A regional platform integrating Midway Electric and Midway CSI Home Security.
- Wealth management services: Terrace Wealth, a fee-only advisory firm co-founded with Ryan Bowman and Felipe Quaassdorff, serving business owners and professionals across the Midwest.
- Litigation support services: Relay Legal, operating from St. Louis and Chicago to support law firms throughout the litigation process.
Funded Ventures’ investment strategy unfolds in four deliberate stages: establishing 4–5 initial operating platforms in fragmented, capital-light industries; driving best practices and disciplined execution during the first 12–18 months of ownership; expanding through strategic bolt-on acquisitions and organic initiatives; and pursuing capital transactions to support continued expansion and cross-platform synergies.
Over time, the firm plans to diversify into adjacent private-market strategies, partnering with experienced operators in areas such as real estate and specialized service sectors, a natural evolution for an investor committed to sustainable, multi-decade business building.
Funded Ventures is supported by an experienced Board of Advisors, including leaders such as Maxine Clark (Founder, Build-A-Bear Workshop), William Z. Wyatt (Donerail Group), and Ali Azim (Courtside Equity Partners). Their presence underscores the firm’s blend of institutional rigor and entrepreneurial heart.
