4490 Ventures

4490 Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund based in Madison, Wisconsin, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in making investments in technology companies primarily located in the Midwest. It focuses on Series A and B funding rounds, with typical investments ranging from $5 million to $8 million.

Dan Malven

Managing Director

Greg Robinson

Managing Director

Malcolm Thorne

Managing Director

26 past transactions

Trainual

Series B in 2021
Trainual, Inc. is a software company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, founded in 2018. It specializes in training and process management solutions that enable businesses to develop comprehensive playbooks for employee training and growth. The Trainual platform centralizes organizational knowledge, streamlines onboarding, and simplifies the training process by integrating processes, policies, and standard operating procedures into a single system. It features tools such as automated onboarding, custom branding, built-in screen recording, and the ability to connect with other applications, making it particularly beneficial for small and growing businesses looking to optimize their training and knowledge transfer.

Tiv

Seed Round in 2021
Tiv is a payments platform specifically designed for the gaming community, focusing on rewards and loyalty programs. It allows gamers to connect their accounts and earn money by engaging with games, effectively creating a play-to-earn environment. The platform serves as a hub for gamers to monetize their skills while also functioning as an advertising platform for game publishers and studios. Tiv aims to develop financial products and services that resonate with the gaming lifestyle, rewarding users not just for their spending but for their time and engagement in activities they enjoy. Through its innovative approach, Tiv seeks to enhance the gaming experience by integrating financial incentives directly into gameplay.

Cortex

Series A in 2021
Cortex Building Intelligence, Inc. provides a mobile platform to save energy cost by operating HVAC systems in buildings. Its platform provides real-time support and system recommendations from startup to shut-down, and everything in between. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Washington, District Of Columbia.

HealthBridge

Series B in 2021
HealthBridge Financial, Inc. is an Insurtech company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that specializes in health insurance brokerage services. Founded in 2017, HealthBridge focuses on transforming the healthcare payment landscape by connecting various stakeholders to address the financial challenges associated with patient deductibles and coinsurance. The company's offerings include the design, underwriting, and servicing of credit solutions tailored to the employer-sponsored insurance sector. Through its innovative approach, HealthBridge aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by patients while enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare transactions.

Fluree

Seed Round in 2020
Fluree, PBC develops a platform that offers blockchain-based data management solutions for businesses. It offers Fluree that provides a blockchain-based graph database and access to data and combines transactions into time-stamped blocks and locks each block via cryptography for data integrity. The company’s Fluree is a Web3 data platform that guarantees data integrity, facilitates secure data sharing, and powers connected data insights. It serves tech startups, government agencies, and Fortune 500 enterprises in various industries, such as MRO, supply chain, credentials, insurance, and other industries. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

UPshow

Series A in 2020
UPshow, Inc. develops a digital signage and social TV software platform that transforms the TVs at businesses into customized marketing and entertainment screens. It allows patrons to display their social media posts instantly on TVs within a venue to feature new products, promotions, events, trivia, and interactive games. The company serves bars, restaurants, retail, automotive, entertainment, fitness, and healthcare industries. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Trainual

Series A in 2019
Trainual, Inc. is a software company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, founded in 2018. It specializes in training and process management solutions that enable businesses to develop comprehensive playbooks for employee training and growth. The Trainual platform centralizes organizational knowledge, streamlines onboarding, and simplifies the training process by integrating processes, policies, and standard operating procedures into a single system. It features tools such as automated onboarding, custom branding, built-in screen recording, and the ability to connect with other applications, making it particularly beneficial for small and growing businesses looking to optimize their training and knowledge transfer.

Fluree

Seed Round in 2019
Fluree, PBC develops a platform that offers blockchain-based data management solutions for businesses. It offers Fluree that provides a blockchain-based graph database and access to data and combines transactions into time-stamped blocks and locks each block via cryptography for data integrity. The company’s Fluree is a Web3 data platform that guarantees data integrity, facilitates secure data sharing, and powers connected data insights. It serves tech startups, government agencies, and Fortune 500 enterprises in various industries, such as MRO, supply chain, credentials, insurance, and other industries. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Understory

Series B in 2019
Understory, Inc. provides real time datasets and graphical views of the movement and intensity of weather events. It builds, installs, maintains, and harvests data networks in Kansas City and northeast Dallas. The company offers precision hail, hail forensic, and precision wind reports for advanced property level analytics; and weather verification reports that include precipitation date, precipitation event, ice dam conditions, and wind event reports. It serves insurance companies, and property owners and managers; and students and staff at degree-granting institutions, including high schools, undergraduate colleges and universities, and post-graduate degree programs. Understory, Inc. was formerly known as Winstruments, Inc. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Understory

Series A in 2018
Understory, Inc. provides real time datasets and graphical views of the movement and intensity of weather events. It builds, installs, maintains, and harvests data networks in Kansas City and northeast Dallas. The company offers precision hail, hail forensic, and precision wind reports for advanced property level analytics; and weather verification reports that include precipitation date, precipitation event, ice dam conditions, and wind event reports. It serves insurance companies, and property owners and managers; and students and staff at degree-granting institutions, including high schools, undergraduate colleges and universities, and post-graduate degree programs. Understory, Inc. was formerly known as Winstruments, Inc. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Avid Ratings

Series A in 2018
AVID Ratings Co., a customer loyalty management company, provides enterprise-level surveys, organizational strategies, employee training, and proprietary solutions to the home building industry. The company designs surveys to measure the customer experience and the degree that it generates loyal customers; conducts organizational audits; diagnoses ratings issues; and develops strategic and tactical plans for improvement. It also provides professional development training necessary to reduce turnover of valuable staff, to prepare for succession, and maximize leadership skills. The company was founded in 1992 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

HealthMyne

Series B in 2018
HealthMyne, Inc., a healthcare informatics company, provides novel search, analytics, and imaging solutions to healthcare enterprises. It focuses on providing solutions to cancer care providers. The company’s smart imaging solutions deliver clinical decision support and quality assurance services to reduce diagnostic errors and increase clinical collaboration. Its technology provides physicians with tumor image manipulation, and EHR and image repository search capabilities for diagnosing and treating similar cases. HealthMyne, Inc. was founded in 2013 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

SwervePay

Venture Round in 2018
SwervePay develops payment solutions for the healthcare and auto service industries. The company’s products include a patient payment platform that integrates into an EHR in real-time and allows patients payments with no app to download or portal to log into; and a solution named “SwervePay Auto” designed to streamline the payment cycle from start to finish in the auto service industry.

Level Ex

Series A in 2017
Level Ex, Inc. specializes in developing virtual surgery mobile applications aimed at enhancing the training of physicians in minimally invasive procedures. The company's flagship offering, the Virtual Technique Guides, leverages cloud gaming technology to facilitate interactive surgical training, enabling surgeons to practice virtual procedures alongside medical device sales representatives in a shared online environment. Another key product, Airway EX, is designed to help physicians master essential skills related to endoscopic and interventional airway procedures. This app addresses a range of complex medical scenarios, including the management of obstructing tumors, vocal cord injuries, and various intubation challenges in both adult and pediatric patients. Founded in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois, Level Ex utilizes advanced video game technology and cognitive neuroscience to present realistic medical challenges, helping physicians stay informed about rare cases and emerging medical technologies.

HealthMyne

Venture Round in 2017
HealthMyne, Inc., a healthcare informatics company, provides novel search, analytics, and imaging solutions to healthcare enterprises. It focuses on providing solutions to cancer care providers. The company’s smart imaging solutions deliver clinical decision support and quality assurance services to reduce diagnostic errors and increase clinical collaboration. Its technology provides physicians with tumor image manipulation, and EHR and image repository search capabilities for diagnosing and treating similar cases. HealthMyne, Inc. was founded in 2013 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Physiq

Series B in 2017
Physiq, Inc. is a health technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, that specializes in personalized physiology analytics through its cloud-based predictive platform. The company has developed VitaLink, a remote patient monitoring interface that equips clinicians with insights into the health status of patients with chronic illnesses while in an ambulatory setting. Its technology processes various data streams to establish an individual's normal baseline, enabling the detection of significant changes in vital signs that may indicate impending medical events. This personalized approach allows healthcare providers to manage patient care more effectively and empowers individuals to take charge of their health and fitness. Additionally, Physiq's platform can be integrated into monitoring devices from other manufacturers, enhancing their capabilities. Founded in 2013 and initially known as VGBio, Inc., Physiq operates in both regulated healthcare and the health and fitness markets.

Networked Insights

Series E in 2017
Networked Insights, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing analytics and audience targeting tools for marketers and agencies. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices in New York and Madison, the firm offers a range of software solutions, including the Kairos platform, which provides real-time insights into target audiences, marketing campaigns, and brand health. Their offerings also encompass social monitoring tools that analyze and track social media as it pertains to brands, along with services for audience insights, content planning, campaign management, and media optimization. The company’s Audience.ai platform leverages artificial intelligence to enhance marketing strategies. Networked Insights serves a diverse clientele, including major brands like MTV, Samsung, and Kraft, helping them make informed marketing decisions and improve media efficiency. As of December 2017, it operates as a subsidiary of American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.

HealthMyne

Venture Round in 2016
HealthMyne, Inc., a healthcare informatics company, provides novel search, analytics, and imaging solutions to healthcare enterprises. It focuses on providing solutions to cancer care providers. The company’s smart imaging solutions deliver clinical decision support and quality assurance services to reduce diagnostic errors and increase clinical collaboration. Its technology provides physicians with tumor image manipulation, and EHR and image repository search capabilities for diagnosing and treating similar cases. HealthMyne, Inc. was founded in 2013 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Rentable

Series A in 2016
Rentable is an internet company that specializes in providing a web-based platform that allows its users to conduct an online internet apartment search. The company was established in 2011 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Understory

Series A in 2016
Understory, Inc. provides real time datasets and graphical views of the movement and intensity of weather events. It builds, installs, maintains, and harvests data networks in Kansas City and northeast Dallas. The company offers precision hail, hail forensic, and precision wind reports for advanced property level analytics; and weather verification reports that include precipitation date, precipitation event, ice dam conditions, and wind event reports. It serves insurance companies, and property owners and managers; and students and staff at degree-granting institutions, including high schools, undergraduate colleges and universities, and post-graduate degree programs. Understory, Inc. was formerly known as Winstruments, Inc. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

EatStreet

Series C in 2015
EatStreet is an online and mobile food ordering service that streamlines commerce between restaurants and diners. To college students and young professionals, EatStreet is a smart, simple, and affordable way to order delivery and takeout from their favorite restaurants. To restaurant owners, EatStreet is a one-stop-shop for online ordering and marketing. By providing web, mobile, and social products for online ordering, EatStreet brings in new business for restaurants. Diners enjoy the upside of fast, simple ordering while restaurants see their sales soar. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, United States.

Rentable

Venture Round in 2015
Rentable is an internet company that specializes in providing a web-based platform that allows its users to conduct an online internet apartment search. The company was established in 2011 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

HealthMyne

Series A in 2015
HealthMyne, Inc., a healthcare informatics company, provides novel search, analytics, and imaging solutions to healthcare enterprises. It focuses on providing solutions to cancer care providers. The company’s smart imaging solutions deliver clinical decision support and quality assurance services to reduce diagnostic errors and increase clinical collaboration. Its technology provides physicians with tumor image manipulation, and EHR and image repository search capabilities for diagnosing and treating similar cases. HealthMyne, Inc. was founded in 2013 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Networked Insights

Series D in 2014
Networked Insights, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing analytics and audience targeting tools for marketers and agencies. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices in New York and Madison, the firm offers a range of software solutions, including the Kairos platform, which provides real-time insights into target audiences, marketing campaigns, and brand health. Their offerings also encompass social monitoring tools that analyze and track social media as it pertains to brands, along with services for audience insights, content planning, campaign management, and media optimization. The company’s Audience.ai platform leverages artificial intelligence to enhance marketing strategies. Networked Insights serves a diverse clientele, including major brands like MTV, Samsung, and Kraft, helping them make informed marketing decisions and improve media efficiency. As of December 2017, it operates as a subsidiary of American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.

Rentable

Series A in 2014
Rentable is an internet company that specializes in providing a web-based platform that allows its users to conduct an online internet apartment search. The company was established in 2011 and is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

EatStreet

Series B in 2014
EatStreet is an online and mobile food ordering service that streamlines commerce between restaurants and diners. To college students and young professionals, EatStreet is a smart, simple, and affordable way to order delivery and takeout from their favorite restaurants. To restaurant owners, EatStreet is a one-stop-shop for online ordering and marketing. By providing web, mobile, and social products for online ordering, EatStreet brings in new business for restaurants. Diners enjoy the upside of fast, simple ordering while restaurants see their sales soar. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, United States.