Industrial · Business Services · Manufacturing
“A family-backed private equity firm partnering with middle-market companies across industrial and services sectors. Provides patient capital from the Pritzker family's permanent capital base.”
Technology · Communications · Semiconductors · Software
“The investing arm of Duchossois Technology Partners. Focuses on information technology, communications, semiconductors, and software opportunities.”
B2B · Consumer · Medical
“Angel investing network affiliated with the University of Notre Dame, established in 2012. Provides early-stage funding and strategic support to innovative startups in B2B, consumer, and medical sectors.”
Technology
“Digital investment firm focused on technology-enabled business transformations.”
Business Software · Financial Services · Healthcare · Telecom
“One of the most experienced private equity firms in the US, founded in 1992. Invests across business software, financial services, healthcare, and telecom.”
Fintech · Supply Chain · E-commerce
“Pre-seed and seed VC investing in fintech, supply chain, and commerce technologies.”
Fintech · Technology · Financial Services
“The venture arm of Wintrust Financial Corporation, providing guidance, networking, financing, and investment to support Chicago's innovation community.”
Technology
“Chicago-based Seed and Series A investor in Midwestern technology companies.”
Transportation · Travel · Insurance
“Focuses on early-stage companies in transportation, travel, employment, and insurance. Portfolio includes SpotHero, Shiftgig, and Rocketmiles.”
Education · Business Services · Healthcare
“Chicago-based PE firm focused on education, business services, and healthcare. Deployed over $4.5B in capital and invested in over 100 companies across 35+ years.”
Technology · Diversity & Inclusion
“Generalist early stage fund with a focus on Chicago and diverse founding teams.”
Technology · Life Sciences · Healthcare
“Runway Growth Capital is a leading provider of growth loans to both venture and non-venture backed companies seeking an alternative to raising equity.”
Software · Cybersecurity · Fintech · Healthcare IT
“One of the largest software-focused PE firms globally, with $166B+ AUM. Headquartered in Chicago and San Francisco. Acquires, builds, and grows innovative technology companies through operational improvement.”
Consumer Tech · Marketplace · D2C
“Chicago-first seed investor focused on cheaper and better consumer services for the 99% of Americans. Early investor in Cameo. Offers an open-source Operating Manual on GitHub and hands-on data support.”
B2B SaaS · Enterprise Software · Fintech · Healthcare IT
“Backs B2B software entrepreneurs throughout the Midwest and Toronto. Claims visibility into over 90% of mid-continent startups. Fund IV closed at $98M. Portfolio includes ShipBob.”
Fintech · Enterprise Software · Healthcare · Security
“Early-stage technology investor founded in 2001. Focuses on fintech, enterprise software, healthcare, and security. Portfolio includes SpotHero, Ocient, and The MOM Project.”
Healthcare · Technology · Clean Technology
“Has invested more than $780 million over four decades using an extensive research model to identify rapid-growth companies in technology, healthcare, and clean technology.”
B2B SaaS · Fintech · Healthcare · E-commerce
“Investing in Silicon Valley outsiders. Launched one of the first VC podcasts and AngelList syndicates. Fund I exceeded top decile performance, leading to a 7x larger Fund II at $42M.”
Fintech · B2B SaaS · Data Infrastructure · Crypto · Media
“Growth-stage investor specializing in data-driven technologies across fintech, IT infrastructure, and enterprise software. Raised a $350M venture fund. Takes an operator-first approach to supporting portfolio companies.”
B2B SaaS · Fintech · Healthcare · Supply Chain · PropTech · Mobility
“Leads early rounds before it is obvious. Active, operationally-involved seed investors focused on Midwest startups across supply chain, healthcare, fintech, proptech, and mobility. Portfolio includes SpotHero, G2, Project44, and Cameo.”
Technology · Consumer · Industrial · Healthcare · Food Tech · Retail Tech · Sustainability
“Founded in 1995 by Antonio Gracias, Valor is a leading operational growth equity firm with $33.3B AUM. Known for early Tesla investment. Combines capital with deep operational support across six growth funds and two venture funds. Includes the Valor Siren Ventures fund targeting sustainable innovations in retail and food-tech.”
Enterprise Software · Consumer Tech · Healthcare · Fintech · Climate Tech · Crypto
“Founded by Groupon co-founders Eric Lefkofsky and Brad Keywell, Lightbank invests in early-stage consumer, enterprise, healthcare, crypto, fintech, and climate companies with $380M AUM and initial checks of $250K to $5M.”
Technology · SaaS · Consumer
“Early-stage Chicago venture fund backing first-time and emerging founders building transformative technology companies. Community-driven approach to startup investing.”
Industrial
“The founders fund for un-sexy industries, investing in overlooked market opportunities.”
Life Sciences · Biotech · HealthTech
“A life sciences venture capital firm that offers crafted capital to biotech and healthcare companies.”
AI · Web3 · Blockchain
“Early-stage venture and digital assets fund focused on mainstream adoption of AI, Web3, and blockchain innovations. Structured as enhancement capital for founders.”
Hardware · HardTech · Connected Devices · IoT
“Chicago-based venture firm focused on hardware, hardtech, and connected device startups. Backs founders building physical products with strong technical differentiation.”
PropTech · Fintech · InsurTech · Home Services · Hospitality
“Woman-founded venture fund focused on technology disrupting real estate, mortgage, finance, insurance, hospitality, and home services. Over $600M AUM with top-decile returns, 5 IPOs, and 9 unicorns.”
Healthcare · Education · Financial Services
“Middle market private investment firm seeking both superior financial returns and meaningful societal impact. Manages almost $16B. Recently closed a $3B fifth flagship fund.”
Enterprise AI · Cybersecurity · Digital Health
“Founded in 2016, invests in enterprise AI, cybersecurity, and digital health companies from pre-seed through Series B. Focuses on applied AI solutions for enterprise customers.”
Software · Marketplace
“Chicago-based venture firm investing in software, marketplace, and platform companies. Focuses on businesses with strong network effects and defensible competitive advantages.”
Enterprise Software · Healthcare · Consumer · Fintech · Digital Media
“The venture arm of the Pritzker family, backing technology companies at every stage of growth since 1996. Has worked with entrepreneurs at more than 150 companies across enterprise software, healthcare, consumer, and fintech.”
Software · Retail · SaaS · E-commerce
“Founded in 2012, FireStarter is a member-led venture fund of 42+ seasoned Chicago entrepreneurs who invest in early-stage tech companies. Members include J.B. Pritzker, Joe Mansueto, Sam Yagan, and Kevin Willer. Combines VC structure with angel group flexibility.”
Energy · Clean Tech · Natural Gas
“Early-stage VC dedicated to natural gas industry transformation and energy innovation.”
Food Tech · Agriculture Tech · CPG
“Early-stage VC investing at the intersection of food, culture, and technology.”
Food Tech · Consumer Brands · E-commerce · AI · Robotics
“Founded by Don Thompson, first Black CEO of McDonald's. Runs a $70M CAST US fund mandated to deploy 75% into Black- and Hispanic-owned companies. Pairs food and beverage investments with deep operational support from a 50-person team.”
Technology · Media
“Chicago-based early stage venture firm investing in technology and media companies.”
Technology
“Investing in early-stage founders in Chicago and Illinois startup ecosystem.”
SaaS · Consumer Internet · Fintech · Mobility · InsurTech
“Growth equity firm founded in 2011 that invests in the world's fastest-growing technology companies staying private longer. Portfolio includes Airbnb, Spotify, Toast, and Instacart. Over $1.4B in fund size.”
Technology · Software
“Alternative asset manager with a Chicago presence investing in late-stage technology companies. Portfolio of 69+ companies across growth and late-stage strategies.”
Education · Healthcare · Economic Empowerment · Environmental Sustainability
“Women-owned and led double-bottom-line impact investor supporting companies driving positive social and environmental change across education, economic empowerment, health, and sustainability.”
Digital Health · Healthcare Services · HealthTech
“Healthcare-focused venture firm founded by former Allscripts CEO Glen Tullman and President Lee Shapiro. Invests in technology that empowers the Informed Connected Healthcare Consumer. Over $500M AUM.”
Consumer Products · Financial Services · Healthcare · SaaS · Cybersecurity
“Employee-owned global private markets investment manager with $65B AUM. Founded in 1972 as the growth equity team of the First National Bank of Chicago. 340+ professionals in 15 offices worldwide.”
Marketplace · B2B · E-commerce · Logistics
“Chicago-based seed fund backing founders building category-defining digital marketplaces. Founded by former Pritzker Group executives. Closed oversubscribed $50M debut fund in February 2026.”
B2B · Enterprise Software
“Seed stage VC investing across B2B industries in Chicago and the Midwest.”
Impact · Social Good
“Early-stage venture fund supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs building impactful businesses.”
Technology
“First-check, founder-led fund writing $50K-$100K checks. Targets pre-seed, Chicago-area technology startups with at least one founder from an underrepresented community.”
Food Tech · Agriculture Tech · Supply Chain
“One of the earliest dedicated venture funds focused solely on food and agriculture technology. Founded by people who built and commercialized food and ag innovations at companies like Monsanto and Dow Chemical.”
Diversity & Inclusion
“Providing equitable access to Friends & Family capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
B2B Technology · Healthcare · Sustainability · Fintech
“Founded in 1989, manages global private equity and venture capital strategies. Venture team focuses on early and expansion stage technology-enabled B2B services and healthcare companies in the mid-country.”
E-commerce · Mobile Apps · Consumer Products
“Founded in 2014, Lofty Ventures is a River North-based angel investment firm. Chris Deutsch has built a portfolio of 73+ companies, nearly all based in Chicago. Invests pre-seed to seed in consumer-facing technology startups.”
SaaS · Marketplace · Digital Media · AI · Productivity
“Founded in 1999, Origin is a multi-stage investor in high-growth software, marketplace, and content businesses. Early investor in Grubhub, which went from a local startup to a high-value public company.”
Food Tech · Agriculture Tech
“Seed fund investing in companies solving global food issues and agricultural challenges.”
E-commerce · Consumer
“Investing at the intersection of commerce enablement and consumer brands.”
Fintech · Health · Education · Consumer
“Invests in companies at their earliest stages, often before product or revenue. Backs founders who are often overlooked by traditional venture capital, with a focus on diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
Blockchain · Crypto · Web3 · Fintech
“Leading global venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments that accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology. Has invested in over 150 blockchain and crypto-focused businesses, protocols, and tokens.”
PropTech · AI · E-commerce · EdTech
“Chicago-based venture firm investing in PropTech, AI/ML, e-commerce, and EdTech companies from pre-seed through growth stages.”
Deep Tech · Robotics · HealthTech · Fintech
“Chicago-based venture fund investing in deep tech, robotics, healthtech, and fintech at the seed and Series A stages. Backs technical founders building breakthrough technology.”
Enterprise Software · SaaS · AI · Marketplace
“Expansion-stage venture capital firm co-founded by Mike Gamson, former LinkedIn executive who led a global sales team of 5,000+ people and drove $5B+ in revenue. Invests in growth-stage technology companies.”
SaaS · Consumer Brands · Fintech · PropTech · GovTech
“Chicago-based seed-stage venture capital fund investing in software, marketplaces, and consumer brands within categories in need of innovation.”
Technology · B2B SaaS · Enterprise Software
“$$2.2B pre-seed to pre-IPO technology-focused venture firm investing across the Midwest.”
Healthcare · Food · Agriculture · Insurance
“Founded in 2003, builds and manages venture funds and accelerators by connecting corporate partners with startups. Created dedicated funds with Blue Cross Blue Shield and other large institutions in healthcare, food, and agriculture.”
B2B SaaS · E-commerce · Marketplace · HealthTech · Fintech
“The most active early-stage investor in the Midwest since its 2015 launch. Uses a data-driven approach to invest exclusively in Midwest-based tech startups. Typical check size $250K-$500K.”
Consumer · Retail · E-commerce
“Investing in next-generation consumer brands and technologies reshaping how people shop and live.”
B2B · B2C · Enterprise Innovation
“Launched in 2007 as a collaboration space for Chicago tech entrepreneurs, evolved into a Venture Collaborative helping corporations invest in startups. $300M AUM with 150+ portfolio companies.”
Enterprise Software · Marketplace · Consumer Tech · Analytics
“Invests in early-stage technology companies with an emphasis on customer acquisition expertise and scalable business models. Founded by two Kellogg entrepreneurship professors who combine operational and academic experience.”
WorkTech · Future of Work · HR Tech
“Focused on pre-seed and seed stage WorkTech deals and future of work technologies.”
Impact · Sustainability · Children
“Investing in Children & Planet for the next seven generations with sustainable impact focus.”
HealthTech · Digital Health · B2B
“$$21 million fund investing in early-stage B2B digital health companies.”
Technology
“Sector-agnostic early-stage venture fund based in Chicago with a portfolio of 35+ companies. Focuses on backing talented entrepreneurs regardless of industry vertical.”
SaaS · Consumer Tech · Enterprise Software · AI
“Techstars Chicago, in partnership with Long Chicago, is an early stage accelerator & venture fund. Intensely founder-focused — if you're building something inevitable, especially if others don't see it yet, get in touch.”
Technology
“Investing in seed-stage startup companies, with a focus on Chicago-based entrepreneurs.”
Financial Services · Manufacturing · SaaS
“Early-stage venture capital firm investing in financial services, manufacturing, and SaaS companies. Focused on backing entrepreneurs building technology businesses in the Midwest.”
Software · Technology · Communications
“Chicago-based venture firm investing in software, IT, and communications companies at early and growth stages.”
Manufacturing · Business Services · Consumer · Industrial
“Middle-market private equity firm that acquires and maximizes the potential of businesses throughout North America. Transitioned from S.C. Johnson family backing to institutional PE. Fund VIII closed at $985M.”
Food Tech · Agriculture · Oceans · Energy · Sustainability
“Leading multi-stage investment firm focused on food, agriculture, oceans, and energy. Provides capital and hands-on resources to entrepreneurs pursuing market-based solutions. Over $1.6B in fund size.”
Real Estate Tech · Fintech · Insurance · Smart Homes
“The most active global real estate technology fund and strategic investment arm of the National Association of REALTORS. Leverages 1.4M member network to scale portfolio companies.”
Fintech · Enterprise Software · Financial Services
“Stage-agnostic investor in financial and enterprise technology firms.”
SaaS · Consumer Tech · Enterprise Software · AI
“Chicago-based early-stage venture fund and operator of Techstars Chicago. Intensely founder-focused — if you're building something inevitable, especially if others don't see it yet, get in touch.”
Technology · Media · Consumer
“The Chicago-based investment office for the business enterprise of Gigi Pritzker and Michael Pucker. Multi-stage family office investor with a diversified portfolio.”
Quantum Computing · Life Sciences · Energy · AI
“A $25M fund managed by MFV Partners dedicated to investing in and scaling transformative startups from the University of Chicago ecosystem. Focuses on deep tech in quantum, life sciences, energy, and AI.”
Technology · Healthcare · Financial Services
“One of the world's largest and most diversified hedge fund-of-funds and alternative asset managers based in Chicago with $76B+ AUM. Invests in venture and growth equity through its fund-of-funds platform.”
Aerospace · Space · Deep Tech
“Early stage deep tech VC focused on Aerospace/Space startups and advanced technologies.”
Healthcare · Financial Services · Technology · Business Services
“One of Chicago's largest PE firms, founded in 1980. Pioneers the Leaders Strategy, finding and partnering with management leaders to build and transform growth companies. $35B+ in capital invested.”
Biotech · Life Sciences · Healthcare · Energy
“Founded in 1986, ARCH creates and invests in early-stage biotech and life sciences companies working to prevent, detect, and cure diseases. One of the largest VC funds headquartered in Chicago with over $3 billion in its latest fund.”
Cannabis · Real Estate · Specialty Finance
“Chicago-based alternative investment firm providing capital solutions across lending and real estate, including publicly traded REITs focused on cannabis and specialty finance.”
AI · SaaS · Healthcare · Logistics
“Multi-strategy fund enhancing risk-adjusted returns in early-stage venture investments. Specializes in Vertical AI — purpose-built solutions that transform entire industries.”
Healthcare · Technology · Financial Services · Real Estate
“Monroe Capital is a growth equity and buyout firm focused on middle-market companies.”
Vertical SaaS · Cybersecurity · Healthcare · Fintech · Consumer
“One of the most active angel investor groups in the US. A syndicate of former executives, entrepreneurs, and VCs providing funding, strategy, coaching, and domain expertise to Midwest seed-stage businesses.”
“50 South Capital is a fund-of-funds and co-investment platform affiliated with Northern Trust that invests in venture capital and private equity funds.”
Sports Tech · Technology · Media
“Suburban Chicago investment firm focused on early-stage venture capital at the intersection of sports and technology. Partners with talented entrepreneurs and experienced managers.”
Healthcare · Digital Health · Wellness
“Founded in 2011, partners with health systems to build sustainable healthcare companies. Accelerates commercialization through a venture studio and an alliance of 17+ healthcare providers.”
B2B SaaS · Fintech · InsurTech · PropTech · Healthcare · Consumer Tech
“Micro VC firm investing in the Midwest, South, and other underserved markets. Actively leads, co-leads, or significantly participates in pre-seed and seed rounds across a wide range of tech sectors.”