Gopher Angels

Gopher Angels is an angel investment group based in Minnesota, established in 2012. The organization comprises accredited investors who are committed to fostering the growth of early-stage businesses in the region, particularly in the information technology and healthcare sectors. Gopher Angels not only provides financial investment but also offers strategic guidance, valuable connections, and business support to entrepreneurs. By focusing on outstanding entrepreneurs, Gopher Angels aims to help transform innovative ideas into successful enterprises.

L. David Russick

Founder and Managing Director

Sara Russick

Co-Founder and Managing Director

22 past transactions

HLRBO

Seed Round in 2024
HLRBO is an online hunting network that facilitates direct connections between landowners and hunters. The platform allows landowners to list their properties without incurring any fees or commissions, enabling hunters to contact them directly for inquiries or to negotiate leases. In addition to property listings, HLRBO provides supplementary services such as forest management, hunting land advisory, and e-scouting, thereby enhancing the overall experience for both landowners and hunters. With thousands of listings available, HLRBO aims to streamline the leasing process and improve safety within the hunting community.

Creatively Focused

Seed Round in 2023
Creatively Focused is an educator-driven technology company that specializes in providing tailored support to special education professionals. The company develops a web-based platform designed to enhance the skills and capabilities of educators, including special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators. By automating workflows and increasing training opportunities, Creatively Focused aims to improve the overall effectiveness of educators in their roles. The platform offers resources and insights into social-emotional learning, along with guidance on funding strategies, fostering a community where passionate individuals in special education can support one another. Through its services, Creatively Focused seeks to empower educators and ultimately enhance student outcomes in the realm of special education.

ProsperStack

Seed Round in 2022
ProsperStack is a hosted cancellation flow platform designed to help subscription-based businesses reduce churn and enhance customer retention. It automates the subscriber acquisition process while providing a customizable interface that allows product and support teams to tailor questions and interventions without relying on limited development resources. By leveraging a big data engine, ProsperStack analyzes consumer demand and integrates with a real-time dashboard to deliver alerts and notifications that assist in retaining customers. This enables businesses to identify target audiences, understand demand patterns, and refine marketing strategies, ultimately increasing profitability. Through its automated solutions, ProsperStack empowers brands to improve their customer retention experiences and thrive in competitive markets.

Omnia Fishing

Seed Round in 2020
Omnia Fishing, LLC is an e-commerce platform that specializes in providing anglers with a tailored shopping experience for fishing gear. Founded in 2018 and based in Golden Valley, Minnesota, the company employs a "shop-by-lake" concept, allowing customers to find, purchase, and organize their fishing equipment according to specific bodies of water. This approach enables anglers to access information relevant to their fishing conditions, such as the type of species, fishing styles, and seasonal variations. The platform features custom maps and a recommendation engine to help users discover branded products efficiently, complemented by a fast shipping system, thereby enhancing anglers' confidence and preparedness for their fishing excursions.

Surgical Innovation Associates

Series A in 2019
Surgical Innovation Associates, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing innovative solutions for surgical procedures, particularly in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company aims to enhance patient care and reduce costs through its "for surgeon, by surgeon" approach to implantable devices. Its flagship product, DuraSorb® Monofilament Mesh, is designed for soft tissue reinforcement and is US FDA 510(k) cleared and CE marked. Made from polydioxanone, this mesh addresses limitations of existing soft tissue support products by minimizing bacterial adhesion and supporting natural tissue recovery during the healing process. Surgical Innovation Associates serves a global market, providing solutions that meet critical clinical needs in the surgical field. The company's commitment to innovation is further supported by its proximity to leading healthcare institutions and academic resources.

Balance the Superfood Shot

Seed Round in 2019
Balance the Superfood Shot is a health supplement company based in Kansas City that specializes in nutritional products aimed at promoting daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Founded in 2011, the company offers premium health and nutrition solutions that emphasize preventative health through bio-available and whole food blends. Its flagship product line includes shelf-stable tonics that provide consumers with half a day's serving of organic fruits and vegetables, along with essential multivitamins and nutrients. By focusing on convenience and nutritional quality, Balance the Superfood Shot enables individuals to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Omnia Fishing

Seed Round in 2018
Omnia Fishing, LLC is an e-commerce platform that specializes in providing anglers with a tailored shopping experience for fishing gear. Founded in 2018 and based in Golden Valley, Minnesota, the company employs a "shop-by-lake" concept, allowing customers to find, purchase, and organize their fishing equipment according to specific bodies of water. This approach enables anglers to access information relevant to their fishing conditions, such as the type of species, fishing styles, and seasonal variations. The platform features custom maps and a recommendation engine to help users discover branded products efficiently, complemented by a fast shipping system, thereby enhancing anglers' confidence and preparedness for their fishing excursions.

75F

Seed Round in 2018
75F, LLC is a building intelligence company based in Burnsville, Minnesota, that specializes in developing Internet of Things (IoT) based building automation systems aimed at optimizing energy consumption in commercial buildings. Founded in 2012, 75F offers a comprehensive Building Energy Management System that integrates a range of smart devices, including sensors, smart thermostats, and control units, to manage HVAC and lighting systems effectively. By utilizing real-time data from its wireless sensors, 75F’s technology allows for precise control over temperature, humidity, and air quality, thereby enhancing occupant comfort and productivity while promoting energy efficiency. The company’s solutions dynamically adjust to changes in occupancy and environmental conditions, facilitating significant operational cost reductions and supporting eco-friendly practices. Through its intelligent automation systems, 75F enables clients to monitor and control various aspects of their building environments, thereby helping to reduce energy consumption and minimize carbon footprints.

Upsie Technology

Seed Round in 2018
Upsie Technology Inc is a mobile application developer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 2015. The company specializes in providing consumers with an accessible platform to purchase extended warranties for a variety of consumer durables and electronic goods, including TVs, laptops, and home appliances. Upsie's application allows users to obtain warranty coverage at competitive prices without the pressure of sales pitches or hidden markups. The platform enables users to compare warranty options, store digital receipts, and track warranty expirations, making it easier to manage and protect their purchases. By offering a straightforward and user-friendly experience, Upsie Technology seeks to simplify the warranty buying process and enhance consumer protection for everyday products.

Kaleidoscope

Seed Round in 2018
Kaleidoscope is a company that specializes in the design, administration, and hosting of branded scholarship and grant programs through a cloud-based marketplace. Founded in 2016 by Gregory Dehn and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kaleidoscope connects scholarship funders with students, facilitating a seamless marketplace that matches qualified candidates with personalized scholarship opportunities. The company’s platform is tailored to support organizations and advocates in their efforts to fund the next generation of leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs, emphasizing low administrative costs and student choice. By providing innovative and impactful program design, Kaleidoscope aims to enhance access to educational funding and streamline the scholarship management process.

Attune Medical

Series C in 2017
Attune Medical specializes in developing medical devices aimed at efficiently regulating patient body temperature through a novel esophageal approach. Its flagship product is a single-use, multi-lumen tube made from medical-grade silicone, designed to be inserted into the esophagus and connected to an external heat exchanger. This technology enables precise cooling or warming of patients when clinically necessary, making it applicable across various settings, including critical care, emergency medicine, transplant surgery, and cardiology. By providing healthcare practitioners with a safe and effective method for temperature modulation, Attune Medical enhances patient care during critical and elective procedures.

CoreBiome

Seed Round in 2017
CoreBiome, Inc. is a biotechnology company specializing in microbiome analysis through advanced genomics and informatics. Founded in 2016 and based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, CoreBiome offers innovative solutions such as BoosterShot and BenchMark, which facilitate the design of studies, sample collection, sequencing, and data analysis using machine learning techniques. BoosterShot employs ultra-shallow shotgun sequencing to deliver detailed taxonomic and functional profiles of microbiomes, while BenchMark utilizes a 16S rRNA gene-based assay to enhance microbiome profiling accuracy. The company also provides comprehensive data analysis services, including operational taxonomic unit (OTU) tables and various diversity analyses. CoreBiome serves clients in the pharmaceutical, agriculture, and academic research sectors, aiming to accelerate discoveries and harness the potential of microbiomes across multiple fields. As of January 2019, CoreBiome operates as a subsidiary of DNA Genotek Inc.

SwineTech

Series A in 2017
SwineTech, Inc. is a technology company based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that specializes in artificial intelligence and sensor-based solutions for the pork industry. Founded in 2015, SwineTech develops the SmartGuard platform, a farrowing monitoring system designed to enhance sow health and improve piglet survival rates. This innovative technology monitors various aspects of pregnancy and piglet welfare, helping to identify potential issues before they escalate. By utilizing machine learning and audio technologies, SwineTech aims to reduce labor costs and piglet mortality, ultimately enabling pork producers to optimize their operations and ensure better care for their livestock. The company's mission is to bridge the gap between producers and pigs, providing tools that empower farmers to effectively manage their herds.

OppSource.com

Venture Round in 2017
OppSource.com, Inc., trading as OppSource, is a software company established in 2008 and headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. The company specializes in developing sales development software, with its flagship product being OppSource PursuitPro. This platform automates and organizes sales development tasks, allowing users to create custom campaigns and deliver account-based sales ready opportunities tailored to their sales teams' needs. Additionally, OppSource offers consulting services for sales and marketing alignment, including go-to-market strategy assessment and lead process evaluation. The company's software has been refined over a decade of use by thousands of clients, demonstrating its effectiveness in managing prospecting processes at scale.

Kidizen

Series A in 2017
Kidizen is a Minneapolis-based company established in 2010, operating an online peer-to-peer marketplace specifically for parents to buy and sell pre-loved children's clothing, gear, toys, accessories, and more. Its platform connects mothers nationwide, enabling them to create personal storefronts, earn money, find desired styles for their kids, and engage with other moms through shared experiences and interests. Kidizen offers an iOS and Android application for convenient buying, selling, and communication among users. The company's product range caters to girls, boys, toddlers, and babies.

RoverMed BioSciences

Seed Round in 2017
RoverMed BioSciences specializes in precision targeted drug delivery technology designed to deliver life-saving medications to difficult-to-reach areas in the body. The company has developed a twenty nanometer nanocapsule system capable of transporting therapeutic cargo directly into the nucleus of target cells, irrespective of their location. This innovative technology has been validated through extensive research and development efforts. Initially focused on solid tumor cancers of the head and neck, prostate, and colon, RoverMed is expanding its applications by collaborating with larger pharmaceutical companies. The company aims to enhance drug delivery systems and improve treatment options for challenging diseases that are inadequately addressed by traditional therapies. By partnering its advanced drug delivery technology with existing pharmaceuticals, RoverMed seeks to advance novel therapeutics and broaden the impact of its innovations in the biotechnology sector.

Allergy Amulet

Seed Round in 2016
Allergy Amulet Inc. is a Madison, Wisconsin-based company that specializes in the manufacture and sale of consumer food allergen sensors. Founded in 2016, the company has developed the Allergy Amulet, which is recognized as the world's smallest and fastest sensor for detecting common allergenic ingredients in food. This innovative device caters to a wide audience, including families, individuals, children, and businesses, allowing users to test food for allergens in seconds. Its sleek and portable design enables users to carry it conveniently on a keychain, necklace, or wristband, promoting safety and peace of mind for those affected by food allergies. With food allergies impacting approximately 32 million Americans and hundreds of millions globally, Allergy Amulet aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with food allergies or intolerances.

StemoniX

Seed Round in 2016
StemoniX Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in stem cell technologies aimed at advancing drug discovery and personalized medicine. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with an additional office in La Jolla, California, StemoniX offers a proprietary platform that facilitates the creation and scaling of human tissue derived from stem cells. This platform supports the 3-D printing of living cells for various applications, including research into heart disease, dementia, breast cancer, autism, and ALS. By operationalizing human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) disease models at scale, StemoniX enhances the efficiency of neurotoxicity research and drug screening, enabling scientists to conduct more effective studies with improved outcomes.

Attune Medical

Series A in 2014
Attune Medical specializes in developing medical devices aimed at efficiently regulating patient body temperature through a novel esophageal approach. Its flagship product is a single-use, multi-lumen tube made from medical-grade silicone, designed to be inserted into the esophagus and connected to an external heat exchanger. This technology enables precise cooling or warming of patients when clinically necessary, making it applicable across various settings, including critical care, emergency medicine, transplant surgery, and cardiology. By providing healthcare practitioners with a safe and effective method for temperature modulation, Attune Medical enhances patient care during critical and elective procedures.

Naiku

Venture Round in 2014
Naiku, Inc. is a developer of a classroom learning and assessment platform designed for teachers and students. Founded in 2010 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company offers a range of tools that enhance the educational experience. Its flagship product, Benchmark Now!, is an online assessment application providing ready-to-use exams for grades 3-12 aligned with common core state standards. Naiku for Teachers serves as a classroom assessment solution that engages students and helps accelerate learning by offering formative assessments and quantitative data on student achievement. Additionally, Naiku for Districts/Schools expands on the features of Naiku for Teachers, enabling collaboration among educators and administrative staff. The platform employs proprietary data mining algorithms to analyze assessment data, creating a personalized learning experience for students by recommending tailored activities. By fostering a professional social network, Naiku supports teachers in addressing individual student needs effectively.

Preceptis Medical

Venture Round in 2014
Preceptis Medical, Inc. is a medical device manufacturer specializing in pediatric surgical technologies. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota, the company focuses on developing innovative solutions for ear tube procedures. Its flagship product, the Hummingbird TTS (tympanostomy tube system), is designed to minimize surgical trauma and pain during ear tube placement. This system enables physicians to perform these routine procedures using moderate sedation instead of general anesthesia, thereby reducing surgical time and improving the overall experience for pediatric patients. Preceptis Medical aims to address the specific needs of children and medical professionals in the realm of pediatric surgery.

BuyerCurious

Series A in 2012
BuyerCurious.com is a free, online real estate marketplace that enables people who want to buy a home or sell a home cost effectively to do so, either on their own or with the help of an agent, attorney or other personal advisors. Buyers can search homes for sale, request showings, and make an offer on a home online, while sellers can list a home for free, get information on low cost and discount ways to advertise their properties tapping the best of web 2.0, get professional yard signs, receive and negotiate offers, and finalize a purchase agreement in a private, online Deal Room. Agents can be on the leading edge with time-saving client collaboration tools, promote visibility and purchase dialogues on their listings, and create Everybody Wins scenarios with do-it-yourself buyers.
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