Insights · Aug 27, 2026
Field Notes No. 10 - The Cursor of Lovable
It's rough sledding out there for many VC-backed companies trying to raise. I think I know why.
3 min read
— THE HAYSEED —
Cultivating
the Unexpected
Writing, coaching, teaching, and investing — alongside the founders and operators who don't always get the spotlight.
— About —
A Different Kind
of Partner
The Hayseed is where I write, coach, teach, and invest. It's a personal platform built around the simple idea that the best work often comes from places and people that get overlooked.
Most of my time goes into coaching founders and operators, teaching about markets and technology, and writing about what I'm learning. I have about three decades of building, investing, and leading companies.
I also still invest in early-stage founders building in places venture dollars don't usually reach. You'll find a few of them lower on this page. The rest of the site is writing, reading, and signal I think is worth sharing.
Jeff Stowell
Also known as Jeffrey StowellCoach · Teacher · Executive · Investor
I started The Hayseed to share what I've learned alongside the founders and operators I work with. Three decades of building, breaking, and rebuilding companies are the lens I bring to coaching, teaching, and writing.
Previously, I co-founded two companies, served as CEO of three others, and founded early-stage VC Royal Street Ventures. I also founded University Venture Fund - Crossroads to help young people in the middle of the country get hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and VC. I hold undergraduate and Law degrees from the University of Kansas, and am an aspiring luthier.
— What I Do —
Coaching, Teaching,
& Investing
Most of my time goes into helping founders and operators build better — through coaching and teaching. I also still invest in early-stage companies in places venture often overlooks.
Coaching and Teaching
Working alongside founders and future investors as they navigate the real work of building and funding companies. Hard-won lessons from three decades of startups, venture, and everything in between — shared in writing, in classrooms, and one-on-one.
Read My WritingInvesting
Early-stage investments in founders building in the Mountain West, Midwest, and beyond. Patient capital for overlooked opportunities. Quick decisions, genuine partnership, and real operating experience.
See Portfolio— Writing —
Ideas & Perspectives
Thoughts on markets, technology, and the founders I admire.
Latest Posts
Insights · Aug 13, 2026
Field Notes No. 9 - A few things to read and Listen to
I just wanted to write a short note this week to pass along two things: something worth reading if you're anywhere near venture capital, and a record I've been waiting for that finally rewarded me fandom!
4 min read
Insights · Jul 30, 2026
Field Notes No. 8 - Can You Scale A Hallway Conversation?
The Full Ratchet Society... my attempt to do some mentoring at scale.
5 min read
Get notified of new posts
Subscribe to receive an email when we publish new articles. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Things to Read
The case for building, not buying CEOs
Clearlake nabs Chelsea FC; secondaries sail into India September 18, 2026 | Log in | Read onli...
Newsletters · PitchBook News <news-noreply@news.pitchbook.com> · Sep 18, 2026
Nvidia’s Risky Business
On January 1, 1870, Jay Cooke, hailed as an American hero for his role in financing the Union effort in the Civil War, signed a contract that would, if you squint, lead to world war. In 1864, Congress...
stratechery.com · Aug 18, 2026
Remembering the pre-Google web, when search was an experiment
In the mid-'90s, the web was exploding, but finding anything of actual value on it felt like an elaborate negotiation with whatever proto-search engine happened to be standing closest to the door. Unl...
Ars Technica · Alan Bradley · Aug 7, 2026
— Connect —
Say Hello
Send a note, follow along on any of the platforms below, or skim what I've been posting lately.
Send a Note
Building something interesting, looking for coaching, or just want to say hello? I read everything.
Recent Activity
all accountsBluesky·Jeff Stowell42 minutes ago
I want to be on record that I absolutely oppose playing “home games” anywhere but “home.” And not even one time has something like this worked out for KU. That this is not at Memorial Stadium is an abomination. #getoffmylawn #rockchalk
Bluesky·Jeff Stowellabout 16 hours ago
This is pretty good IMO.
Bluesky·Jeff Stowellabout 16 hours ago
Guys… Cornholio is in trouble. We gotta do something!
Bluesky·Jeff Stowellabout 16 hours ago
I’m good with this Jazz/Keyonte deal and I think he earned it. Following a bit of the Thunder playbook here on the part of the Jazz. But I am gonna ask that that dude guard somebody for that kinda money.
— Investments —
Companies & Funds
I'm Supporting
Early-stage investments in ambitious founders, and partnerships with funds aligned with my values — often in places the typical venture world overlooks.
Companies4
Salad
AI Infrastructure / Distributed GPU Cloud · Series A
Distributed GPU cloud powering AI workloads at scale — making compute accessible and affordable for developers and enterprises everywhere.
diib
AI & SEO Analytics / SaaS · Series B
AI-powered SEO analytics platform that gives small businesses and agencies actionable growth plans — making enterprise-grade SEO accessible to everyone.
Gruvi
Non-Alcoholic Craft Beverages · Seed
Craft non-alcoholic beer and wine brand redefining social drinking — bringing the flavor and experience of craft beverages without the alcohol.
Tonic
Healthcare IT / SaaS · Acquired
Mobile patient intake, data collection, and payments platform for enterprise healthcare organizations. Acquired by SCI Solutions (2020), now part of Luma Health.
Funds4
Five Elms Capital
B2B Software Growth Equity · Growth Equity
Growth equity firm investing in B2B software companies that users love — backing founder-owned businesses at growth inflection points from Kansas City.
Run Ventures
Early-Stage Tech / AI & SaaS · Series A Focus
Series A-focused VC backing AI and SaaS companies in high-growth ecosystems beyond traditional coastal hubs. Based in Salt Lake City.
Collab Capital
Diverse Founders / Tech-Enabled · Seed & Series A
Atlanta-based VC investing financial, human, and network capital in tech-enabled companies led by Black founders — building shared prosperity.
Kickstart
Seed-Stage Generalist · Pre-Seed & Seed
The Mountain West's most active seed fund — investing in ambitious founders across Utah, Colorado, and the broader region since 2008.
