Announcing The Hill Fund: Backing the Next Wave of Jayhawk Success Stories

Announcing The Hill Fund: Backing the Next Wave of Jayhawk Success Stories

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The University of Kansas has quietly become a force in the entrepreneurial world. And now, for the first time, there’s a venture fund designed to match its ambition.

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We’re thrilled to announce the official launch of The Hill Fund by Firebrand Ventures: the first and only venture capital fund dedicated to backing KU-connected founders. Named after “The Hill” upon which the KU campus was built, our fund is based on a simple but overdue idea: Jayhawks are building category-defining companies, and it’s time the venture world paid attention.

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“Jayhawk-founded startups have generated over $100 billion in total exit value, placing KU among the top-performing universities in the country,” said John Fein, Managing Partner of The Hill Fund. “We created this fund to ensure great KU alumni founders aren’t overlooked — that they’re supported with the right capital and connections. KU itself has been a fantastic partner for The Hill Fund and as a Jayhawk myself, I’m incredibly excited to invest in this powerful ecosystem.”

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💡 Why Now

Since 2016, thirteen KU-connected startups have had billion dollar-plus exits, a staggering figure that puts the Jayhawk network on par with powerhouse tech ecosystems. And yet, this founder community has been largely underserved by traditional venture firms.

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We offer inside access to the KU ecosystem, a network of innovators who’ve flown below the national radar for too long.

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Whether it’s an AI founder in Lawrence, a cybersecurity innovator in Kansas City, or a fintech CEO in Austin — if they’re a Jayhawk, we want to know them.

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🎯 Our Mission

Our mission is to deliver top-tier venture returns by investing in the best KU-connected startups, while strengthening the legacy of innovation at the University of Kansas for decades to come.

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We’re not just deploying capital. We’re building an engine to surface, support, and scale the next generation of Jayhawk success stories.

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“KU’s innovation pipeline is robust and growing. The Hill Fund is a timely and powerful step forward,” said KU Chancellor Doug Girod. “It reflects our university’s commitment to entrepreneurship and will provide crucial support for KU founders charting bold paths.”

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🔗 Jayhawks Investing in Jayhawks

The Hill Fund is backed by a variety of limited partners including many prominent KU alumni. We invest in KU-connected founders, which includes startups led by alumni, faculty, staff, and students, as well as those licensing KU tech or closely affiliated with the university in other ways.

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“Jayhawk entrepreneurs have established a track record of world-class vision and grit,” said Heath Peterson, President of the KU Alumni Association. “The Hill Fund gives our alumni network a new way to power what’s next — while keeping Jayhawks at the heart of the story.”

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