How KCRise Fund built a premium gift collection for 150 investors

The team at KCRise was looking for ways to express appreciation for their investors and portfolio leaders at their annual summit. They began with a general idea: duffle bags and various stationery items. The challenge was finding someone who could execute on it. Print shops like Vistaprint and CustomInk handle quick, simple orders. High-end design studios handle fully custom work with budgets to match. But for orders that want a premium feel without breaking the bank, the options were limited. This is where Merchpath sits within the market.

The challenge was clear: create a branded gift set that embodied their commitment to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The goal was to deliver memorable, functional, and aesthetically appealing gifts to investors and portfolio company leaders attending their annual summit. The finished products needed to resonate deeply, reflecting the essence of KCRise's brand and leaving attendees with something they are proud to use.

Client Profile

KCRise Fund, an early-stage VC firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, invests in startups across a variety of sectors. Their commitment to the city is clear through community involvement and support of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. With over 60 investments and three funds, KCRise is a key player in Kansas City's investment network.

The Process

After the ask was laid out, we got straight to work. With some initial ideas from the KCRise crew, we mocked up the first iteration of product designs and specifications. From there, we took all details to our manufacturers and began the sampling process. Within just a few days, a sample was produced, bringing the initial ideas into reality. Most importantly, this allowed us to see what needed to stay and what needed to change.

With the sample in hand, we hosted a detailed brainstorming session about what edits would be required to get to a final product. Over the course of an hour, we picked apart the sample, leading to changes in the sizing, embroidery, inner design, zippers, and other details. After that, we looked through the virtual stationery samples, focusing on the notebooks and their size, material, and design.

Any changes went directly to our manufacturing partners, who took feedback and implemented it in the final samples. Brand proofs came back in 24 hours. Once the samples were approved, we began the full run.

The Result

The final result is a simple yet elegant off-white canvas duffle featuring custom inner plaid lining matching KCRise's brand blue. The detailed logo embroidery and YKK zippers elevate the bag, giving it a premium feel. On the stationery front, we landed on custom dark green notebooks with soft fabric material and a debossed logo stamped on the cover. Custom-branded pens, thank you cards, envelopes, and stickers rounded out the drop.

“Merchpath did an outstanding job creating our new stationery and duffle bags for investor gifts. The designs are sleek, modern, and stylish, and the quality exceeded our expectations.”

— Aaliyah Aramjoo