Spotlight: Sam Dudenhoeffer
Driving Innovation in KC’s Real Estate & Startup Ecosystem
Kansas City is in the midst of unprecedented growth, and Sam Dudenhoeffer is here to help shape its future. As COO of Appreciate, Sam is leveraging technology and investment strategies to unlock new opportunities in real estate, drive community impact, and build a stronger innovation ecosystem.
The Journey Back to Kansas City
Sam’s path to KC started at Mizzou, but his career quickly took him beyond Missouri. After college, he moved to Austin, where he worked for a fast-growing startup accelerator that helped early-stage companies scale. But when Appreciate—a company he had been following—won Missouri Startup Weekend, the opportunity to return to “Flyover Country” and build something impactful was too good to pass up.
Now, with over $5 billion in current or planned development (including the impact of the 2026 World Cup), Sam sees Kansas City as a prime market for growth, innovation, and investment.
Building Better Housing & Investment Opportunities
At Appreciate, Sam oversees the operations and technology behind a growing portfolio of sub-institutional multifamily properties—the types of buildings traditionally overlooked by major institutional investors.
The mission? Unlocking new investment opportunities and improving housing quality by introducing better management, technology-driven efficiencies, and increased access to capital.
The impact? A stronger housing market, better investment options for LPs, and improved communities across Kansas City.
“We are building technology to better manage and drive returns for assets that institutional players usually ignore. By doing this, we’re improving both housing and investment opportunities in KC.”
From Austin to KC: Bringing Startup Energy to the Midwest
Sam’s experience in Austin’s thriving startup scene gave him a firsthand look at what it takes to build a city-wide innovation ecosystem. Now, he’s excited to bring those lessons to Kansas City.
His goal? To help connect founders, investors, and creatives—ensuring KC continues to attract and support the builders and innovators who will shape its future.
“Kansas City has everything it needs to become a top startup city in the Midwest. The momentum is here—we just need to keep fostering the right connections.”
Plugging Into the KC Ecosystem
Sam is actively involved in KC’s growing innovation and investment scene. If you’re looking to get started, he recommends:
Keystone Innovation District – A great place for impact-based businesses to find support
Back2KC, KC Downtowners, & MidxMidwest – Look into key events and organizations helping to grow KC’s entrepreneurial community.
Looking Ahead
Sam and the Appreciate team have big plans—their goal is to become one of the largest deployers, managers, and owners of private equity in Kansas City.
“It’s ambitious, but totally realistic given our current trajectory. We’re excited to build something that benefits both investors and the community.”
Advice for Newcomers to Kansas City
Fully engage with the community! If you don’t put yourself out there, it might feel like there’s nothing to engage with—but KC’s founder ecosystem is thriving once you tap into it.
And if you’re into history? Fun fact: The KC Mob was once one of the largest organized crime syndicates in the country—shaping much of the city’s industry and planning.
How to Connect with Sam
Reach out to Sam on LinkedIn.
Want to chat about real estate, investment, or growing KC’s ecosystem? Sam is always open to conversations about building relationships and driving impact in KC.
Stay tuned for next week’s Spotlight on Eric Syverson!
Know someone who should be featured? Submit nominations here!