Fintech · Technology · Financial Services
“The venture arm of Wintrust Financial Corporation, providing guidance, networking, financing, and investment to support Chicago's innovation community.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Vertical AI · SaaS · Marketplaces · Consumer Brands
“Chicago-based, seed-stage venture capital firm investing in software and consumer businesses in overlooked categories underserved by innovation.”
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.”
Impact · Sustainability · Children
“Investing in Children & Planet for the next seven generations with sustainable impact focus.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
E-commerce · Mobile Apps · Consumer Products
“Building a compounding flywheel for Chicago's next generation of founders and angels by investing early, bringing together a highly curated community, and helping founders become angels sooner. Operates as a family office, investor syndicate, angel platform, and startup community — combining capital, relationships, and education to drive stronger outcomes over time. Across its direct investments and syndicate, Lofty has invested $5M+ at the earliest stages in 100 companies and 180 founders, with 80% based in Chicago and 75% led by underrepresented entrepreneurs. Lofty Angels, its free community, helps members learn early-stage investing and access curated co-investment opportunities. Learn more at loftyventures.com, loftyangels.com, loftycamp.com, and loftycity.org.”
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.”
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.”
Technology · SaaS · Consumer
“Early-stage Chicago venture fund backing first-time and emerging founders building transformative technology companies. Community-driven approach to startup investing.”
SaaS · Marketplace · Digital Media · AI · Productivity
“Established in 1999, Origin Ventures is an early stage venture capital firm investing in the infrastructure, software, applications, services and marketplaces transforming productivity and automation through artificial intelligence.”
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
“Digital investment firm focused on technology-enabled business transformations.”
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.”
Healthcare · Digital Health · Wellness
“Founded in 2011, invests in early-stage digital health companies whose ICP is health systems. Provides commercialization through its Venture Studio and Abundant Alliance — an alliance of 17+ healthcare providers.”
Food Tech · Agriculture Tech · CPG
“Early-stage VC investing at the intersection of food, culture, and technology.”
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.”
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.”
HealthTech · Digital Health · B2B
“$21 million fund investing in early-stage B2B digital health companies.”
Energy · Clean Tech · Natural Gas
“Early-stage VC dedicated to natural gas industry transformation and energy innovation.”
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.”
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. Managing members are Brian Hand, Sam Yagan, Troy Henikoff, and Matt Moog. Combines VC structure with angel group flexibility.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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 · Media
“Chicago-based early stage venture firm investing in technology and media companies.”
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.”
Technology · B2B SaaS · Enterprise Software
“$2.2B pre-seed to pre-IPO technology-focused venture firm investing across the Midwest.”
Consumer Brands · CPG
“Founded in 2010, Listen partners with consumer-obsessed founders building disruptive brands at the tipping point of behavior shifts. Leads rounds at the critical inflection point for brand value with a team across consumer insights, capital, and creative.”
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.”
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.”
Diversity & Inclusion
“America's first friends and family fund — providing equitable access to Friends & Family capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Fintech · Health · Education · Consumer
“Invests up to $2MM for 5–10% ownership in pre-seed/seed U.S. software companies across fintech, healthtech, future of work, and edtech. Can lead, co-lead, or participate in rounds.”
“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.”
Technology
“Investing in seed-stage startup companies, with a focus on Chicago-based entrepreneurs.”
Fintech · Enterprise Software · Financial Services
“Stage-agnostic investor in financial and enterprise technology firms.”
Industrial
“Bootstrapped growth equity investor for boring industries. Ideal deal is high-growth equity — building a portfolio of 15x'ers in 5–7 years. Focus on services, manufacturing, and the physical world (ideally a business touching all three, e.g. Tide Cleaners). $3M first checks for 10–15% ownership and $3–5M in reserves. First and last capital in.”
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.”
Technology · Diversity & Inclusion
“Generalist early stage fund with a focus on Chicago and diverse founding teams.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Technology · Consumer · Industrial · Healthcare · Food Tech · Retail Tech · Sustainability
“Valor Equity Partners seeks to serve exceptional founders, entrepreneurs, and portfolio companies making the world a better place. The firm focuses on equity investments in companies that align with its operational growth investment strategy and return objectives. In evaluating potential companies, Valor seeks to identify and select high-growth, pro-entropic companies where the transition to a technology-enabled economy is an important growth driver. Valor defines a "pro-entropic" company as a business demonstrating the ability to perform and grow across economic and market cycles, unexpected developments, and uncertainty. As part of its investment strategy, Valor seeks to build value from tangible operating improvements, not financial engineering, which it believes allows it to construct portfolios with attractive asymmetric risk profiles. Founders and management teams often choose Valor for its proven track record in adding operational value and entrepreneurial experience. This operational experience is a core element of the firm's culture, in which portfolio companies are viewed as its "customers," which Valor serves as it seeks to achieve compelling returns for its limited partners.”
Consumer Tech · Marketplace · D2C
“Seed investor focused on products at the intersection of behavioral change, demographic change and cultural change. Early investor in Attain, Cameo, Made In, Superpower, Telly and Unchained. Offers on open source operating manual on GitHub.”
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.”
Biotech/Life Sciences · Consumer & CPG · Healthcare · Hard Tech · Energy · Manufacturing · Sustainability
“Investing in early-stage founders in Chicago and Illinois startup ecosystem.”
Healthcare · Consumer · Wellness · BioPharma
“Advancing longevity with a focus on mind, body, and spirit — measurably affecting the gap between healthspan and lifespan, which is quality of life.”
Healthcare · Technology · Financial Services · Real Estate
“Monroe Capital is a growth equity and buyout firm focused on middle-market companies.”
Impact · Social Good
“Chicago-based early-stage venture capital firm with a concentrated investment strategy focused on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, emphasizing capital efficiency and founder resilience as core underwriting criteria. Targets sectors where differentiated founders are building high-growth businesses with sustainable unit economics, selecting portfolio companies through a proprietary evaluation framework that assesses both business fundamentals and the operational durability of founding teams. Active, relationship-driven portfolio management with structured support resources alongside capital. Fund II follows a predecessor fund that deployed capital into 30+ portfolio companies. Structured as a traditional limited partnership and operates as a registered investment adviser.”
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.”
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.”
Fintech · Supply Chain · E-commerce
“Pre-seed and seed VC investing in fintech, supply chain, and commerce technologies.”
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.”
E-commerce · Consumer
“Investing at the intersection of commerce enablement and consumer brands.”
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.”
Consumer · Generalist
“Women-led angel group co-investing $10K–$100K checks in early-stage U.S. startups — at least 51% women and people of color by design. Operates as a per-deal collective rather than a pooled fund: angels opt in individually, the Collective appears as one line on the cap table. First-check / Friends & Family stage. Can't lead rounds but helps founders set terms. Brought 2–3 deals per month to the Collective in 2025 after reviewing 677 startups and meeting 150+ founders.”
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.”
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.”
B2B · Enterprise Software
“Seed stage VC investing across B2B industries in Chicago and the Midwest.”
Transportation · Travel · Insurance
“Focuses on early-stage companies in transportation, travel, employment, and insurance. Portfolio includes SpotHero, Shiftgig, and Rocketmiles.”
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.”
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.”
Food Tech · Agriculture Tech
“Seed fund investing in companies solving global food issues and agricultural challenges.”
Technology
“Chicago-based Seed and Series A investor in Midwestern technology companies.”
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.”
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.”
Life Sciences · Biotech · HealthTech
“A life sciences venture capital firm that offers crafted capital to biotech and healthcare 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.”
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.”
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.”
Software · Marketplace
“Chicago-based venture firm investing in software, marketplace, and platform companies. Focuses on businesses with strong network effects and defensible competitive advantages.”
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 December 2025.”
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.”
Technology
“Invests $110K in companies raising pre-seed rounds led by founders building in the Midwest, with a particular bias for Chicago-based entrepreneurs.”
B2B SaaS · E-commerce · Marketplace · HealthTech · Fintech · AI · Real Estate · Cyber Security
“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. Writes $250K–$1M checks and can lead rounds.”
Hardware · HardTech · Connected Devices · IoT
“Chicago-based early-stage hard tech VC firm investing in advanced manufacturing for people and the planet across energy, climate, and physical AI. Backs companies at Seed and Series A, leveraging a product design and development-focused Residency to de-risk investments and accelerate growth.”
B2B SaaS · Fintech · Healthcare · Supply Chain · PropTech · Mobility · Industrial Tech · Legaltech
“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.”
Consumer · Sports · Media · Commerce · Content
“Early-stage fund that spun out of the ownership group of the Chicago Cubs and other global sports assets. Backs founders building category-defining companies that enable human experiences, culture, content, and commerce. Invests Seed through Series B and brings domain expertise plus strategic relationships from sports, media, and entertainment.”
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.”
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.”
Consumer · Retail · E-commerce
“Investing in next-generation consumer brands and technologies reshaping how people shop and live.”