We invest in early stage technology startups
that solve complex problems
in diverse industries and large markets
We help founders and startups by working with industry contacts to understand their greatest challenges and opportunities in technology transformation. By leveraging strong ties with local technology ecosystems, corporate partners, and universities, we help incubate and commercialize technologies to help better the world.
We Invest in Founders and Startups
Who Will Impact Future Generations
Nervana Systems Founders Naveen Rao, PhD, Arjun Bansal, PhD, and Amir Khosrowshahi, PhD at Intel HQ after their $400M Acquisition
Investing in Founders First
We are looking for amazing founders, innovators, trailblazers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who are determined to build their companies through good times and bad. We look for deep technical founders who value hard work, who are grateful, humble, honest, authentic, and have high integrity. People are paramount, cultivating culture is key and as important as building the business. We have your back - you can be sure of it.
Cobalt Robotics Founders Erik Schluntz and Travis Deyle, PhD with their Gen 1 Security Robot after their $35M Series B by Cotaue, Sequoia, Bloomberg, and Toyota
Ambitious Products
We invest in Gen 1 Products - original, transformative, disruptive, technical innovations. Some people may laugh or think it’s science fiction, but if you have the ability to dream and build, we are the ones to support you. We’ve led product and engineering for large hardware and software enterprises, built startups with sweat equity, managed corporate venture capital, and connected founders to fellow investors and corporate customers.
Skyryse Founder Mark Groden, PhD disrupting transportation with autonomous aerial systems after his $25M Series A led by Venrock, Eclipse, and Industry Ventures
Disrupting Large Markets
We invest in the most complex opportunities the world faces today - digital automation, geospatial, industrial automation and manufacturing, autonomous transportation, digital health, distributed ledgers, the environment, and education. Working together with our Gen 1 founders, we are using technology to unveil new large markets in traditional industries.
Investing in Diverse Industries
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Robotics and Robotics As A Service
Quantum Computing, Edge Computing, Human Computer Interaction
Sensor Fusion and Internet of Things
Autonomous Vehicles and Mobility
Blockchain and Cybersecurity
Data Science and Analytics
Health and Synthetic/Computational Biology
Software, Hardware, Digital Transformation
New Geographies, New Opportunities
We are based in the US Midwest, the heart of the largest industries that will be at the forefront of applying deep tech innovation. From digital manufacturing and autonomous vehicles to smart cities and Industry 4.0, the Midwest is primed for disruptive future growth.
Local and Global Impact
Visionary leadership in advanced technologies, grounded in the patterns of history and pathfinding the bold ideas that will change our world
Leveraging Expertise
Deep relationships in technology, university, industry, and civic ecosystems. Actively invest, supplement entrepreneurs’ shortcomings, add value and take meaningful ownership stakes to help influence outcomes. Partner with national investors to invest locally tapping into deep connections.