Cowles Company

Investor type

VC / Family office

Founded

1890

AUM

$83 M

Location

Spokane, Washington, United States

Investment Ticket

$10-50 m

Investment Stage

Seed Series A

Region of investment

North America
Investor profile last updated: 16 August, 2026

Profile

Cowles Company is a Spokane-based private investment firm with a rich history tracing back to its founding in 1890 by William H. Cowles. It remains a fourth-generation family-owned enterprise, led by Elizabeth A. 'Betsy' Cowles and William 'Stacey' Cowles, with an emphasis on long-term value creation for its shareholders, customers, employees, and communities. Known for its commitment to stewardship, integrity, leadership, connectivity, and entrepreneurialism, Cowles Company operates a diverse portfolio that includes investments in broadcasting, print media, insurance, and real estate.

The firm focuses on managing and growing its long-standing legacy businesses while seeking to invest in high potential growth enterprises. Their operations span various sectors, including media through The Spokesman-Review, and broadcasting with KHQ and its affiliates. The company also runs Inland Empire Paper Company, a sustainable paper manufacturing operation. Cowles Company's real estate developments include significant holdings in Spokane Valley and downtown Spokane, with landmark projects like River Park Square.

Among its diverse portfolio, notable businesses include The Spokesman-Review - a prominent daily newspaper, KHQ - an established NBC affiliate in Spokane, and River Park Square - a major commercial and retail complex. The company's ventures have consistently supported regional growth and development, aligning with its philosophy of strategic long-term investments.

Industry

Industrial Healthcare Services Financial Services Business Services (B2B) Media and Entertainment Real Estate SaaS InsurTech Fintech Infrastructure

Cowles Company Funds

Name Type
Questionare
Industry
Questionare
Stage
Questionare
Region
Size AUM Launch date
Voyager Capital Fund V
Venture Capital (VC)
Fintech
SaaS
Infrastructure
Seed
Series A
North America
$5-10 m
$1 M
June 2023

Contacts

Name
Title
Email
avatar
Skye Henderson VP of Venture Investments
VP of Venture Investments
s•••@•••
avatar
Blake Gibson Associate
Associate
b•••@•••
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Investment-team contacts for Cowles Company — including verified work emails and LinkedIn profiles — are available to Private Equity List subscribers.
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FAQs about Cowles Company

Cowles Company is a venture capital firm that also operates as a family office. It backs companies at Seed and Series A, writing tickets of $10-50 m.
Cowles Company is located in Spokane, Washington, United States.
Cowles Company was founded in 1890.
Cowles Company invests in companies and startups in Industrial, Healthcare Services, Financial Services, Business Services (B2B), Media and Entertainment, Real Estate, SaaS, InsurTech, Fintech, Infrastructure.
Cowles Company invests in companies and startups in North America.
Cowles Company invests in companies and startups at Seed, Series A.
Cowles Company usually invests $10-50 m on average.
Cowles Company has around $83m assets under management.
Cowles Company last fund was created/launched in 2023-06-20
Cowles Company can be reached through its website cowlescompany.com and its LinkedIn page. Its general enquiries address is [email protected]. Cold-mailing a general inbox rarely reaches a partner, so Private Equity List also lists the investment-team contacts for Cowles Company — names, roles, verified work emails and LinkedIn profiles — available on a Pro plan from $129/month (see pricing). Contacts are sourced from the firm's website and LinkedIn and re-verified on a rolling cycle. Spot a stale contact, or none at all? Report it — we re-run that firm within 48h and get back to you.
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Private Equity List re-verifies investor profiles on a rolling cycle, pulling from the firm's own website and LinkedIn rather than a one-off import. This profile was last updated on 16 August, 2026. Something out of date here? Report it — we re-run that firm within 48h and get back to you.