Alumni Ventures

Alumni Ventures Group, LLC is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 and based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with additional offices in North America. The firm specializes in seed, early-stage, and late-stage pre-IPO investments, focusing on companies that have an alumni connection and an institutional lead investor with relevant expertise. It offers high-quality, diversified venture portfolios to individual investors, particularly accredited alumni from top entrepreneurial schools, who previously lacked access to venture capital opportunities. Alumni Ventures Group invests between $0.01 million and $3 million in various sectors and geographies, without seeking board or observer seats. Additionally, the firm provides focused funds that enable any accredited investor to access a diverse venture portfolio, allowing for investment across different types, sectors, stages, and geographical locations.

Gregory Baker

Managing Partner

Bryan Jurewicz

Venture Partner

Michael Madden

Managing Partner

Past deals in Illinois

Five to Nine

Seed Round in 2022
Five to Nine is a culture engagement solution that aims to enhance workplace connectivity and inclusion through its online platform. The platform enables human resource administrators to manage and evaluate both virtual and in-person internal programs effectively. By integrating workflows and collecting event analytics and feedback, it allows organizations to measure employee participation and sentiment. This data-driven approach helps HR teams create communities of interest within the workplace, promoting a positive work culture and driving business outcomes. Five to Nine focuses on leveraging culture-building opportunities to foster a more inclusive environment where employees feel engaged and connected.

New Era ADR

Seed Round in 2022
Disputes and litigation are a massive distraction and waste of money and time for you and your business. At least $200B is spent on litigation-related costs each year. New Era solves this. With our fully-digital platform and process, organizations and individuals get access to the most experienced arbitrators and mediators in the U.S. The result is fair, high-quality, and fast resolutions of your disputes, saving you up to 90% in legal fees and time, so you can focus on the things that matter in your life and your business.

Here

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Here is a business that focuses on simplifying parking solutions for drivers through an online booking platform. It allows users to reserve parking in advance and provides access to various garages associated with sports teams, venues, travel providers, and hotels. The system integrates seamlessly with navigation systems and can be operated via text or voice commands, making it user-friendly and accessible. Additionally, Here offers last mile mobility solutions that enhance the parking experience across various platforms, enabling businesses to provide transactional parking as an added service. This approach not only benefits drivers by easing the parking process but also supports businesses in offering more comprehensive services to their customers.

Bridge Money

Seed Round in 2022
Bridge is a developer of a banking platform used to help achieve financial freedom. It aims to provide a path towards upward financial mobility for the millions of people left behind by the traditional banking system. It was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Path

Series A in 2021
Stacked develops an automated cryptocurrency investment platform. It enables everyone to invest in crypto indices, access trading bots, and automate portfolio management. The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Civis Analytics

Series B in 2021
Civis Analytics, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in data science software designed to help organizations make informed, data-driven decisions. The company offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including the Civis platform, which provides predictive analytics and end-to-end data science capabilities. Additional offerings include the Community Outreach and Engagement Hub, which assists government and nonprofit organizations in effectively reaching and influencing their target audiences; the Census Intelligence Center, a resource for census coordinators and related entities; and various tools for audience targeting, message testing, and media optimization. Civis Analytics also provides consulting services in consumer insights, market research, and data science to enhance organizations' strategic capabilities. Founded in 2013, Civis Analytics has established itself as a leader in analytics solutions for nonprofit, commercial, and government sectors.

Vouch

Series C in 2021
Vouch, Inc. is an insurance provider focused on delivering tailored insurance solutions for startups in the United States. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company specializes in various types of coverage, including general liability, business property, directors and officers, errors and omissions, cyber coverage, and more. Vouch also offers risk assessment services and management tools, enabling startups to effectively manage and mitigate potential risks. The company aims to simplify the process of obtaining business insurance through its digital platform, which allows clients to access customized coverage options. Vouch operates as a subsidiary of SVB Financial Group and has expanded its presence with additional offices in Chicago.

Paro

Series B in 2021
Paro operates a platform that connects businesses with freelance finance professionals, including bookkeepers, accountants, financial analysts, and CFOs, who offer remote, on-demand support. The company's services encompass various financial tasks, such as month-end accounting, tax preparation, expense classification, and payroll, as well as financial analysis services like budget forecasting, financial modeling, and KPI tracking. Additionally, Paro provides fractional CFO services that include cash flow management, market research, fundraising strategies, and strategic planning. Founded in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois, Paro aims to redefine the employment model in the finance sector by leveraging technology to match clients with highly vetted professionals who can meet their specific financial needs on an hourly basis.

Halo Investing

Series C in 2021
Halo Investing is a financial technology startup that provides an independent multi-issuer platform focused on an investment product known as Structured Notes. Structured Notes are a pre-defined outcome investment product offering downside protection, previously only available to the ultra-high net worth. Halo is empowering and democratizing access to the product by building technology to analyze, purchase, and manage the full lifecycle of the product while building efficiencies for issuing banks.

Heaven's Door

Series B in 2021
Heaven's Door is a whiskey brand that specializes in handcrafted American whiskeys. The company produces a variety of premium aged spirits, including double-barreled whiskey, straight bourbon, and straight rye whiskey. By focusing on quality and craftsmanship, Heaven's Door aims to provide consumers with a distinctive and refined whiskey experience that blends art and tradition.

Civis Analytics

Series A in 2020
Civis Analytics, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in data science software designed to help organizations make informed, data-driven decisions. The company offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including the Civis platform, which provides predictive analytics and end-to-end data science capabilities. Additional offerings include the Community Outreach and Engagement Hub, which assists government and nonprofit organizations in effectively reaching and influencing their target audiences; the Census Intelligence Center, a resource for census coordinators and related entities; and various tools for audience targeting, message testing, and media optimization. Civis Analytics also provides consulting services in consumer insights, market research, and data science to enhance organizations' strategic capabilities. Founded in 2013, Civis Analytics has established itself as a leader in analytics solutions for nonprofit, commercial, and government sectors.

New Era ADR

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Disputes and litigation are a massive distraction and waste of money and time for you and your business. At least $200B is spent on litigation-related costs each year. New Era solves this. With our fully-digital platform and process, organizations and individuals get access to the most experienced arbitrators and mediators in the U.S. The result is fair, high-quality, and fast resolutions of your disputes, saving you up to 90% in legal fees and time, so you can focus on the things that matter in your life and your business.

Rise Gardens

Seed Round in 2020
Rise Gardens LLC builds and markets home hydroponic gardening systems. The company provides a gardening system with modular components to facilitate growing herbs, greens, veggies, vining plants, microgreens, tomatoes, and peppers. It also provides The Rise Gardens application that tracks plants' progress and guides users through fertilizing. It sells its products through online. Rise Gardens LLC was formerly known as Harvest2O, LLC. Rise Gardens LLC was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Skokie, Illinois.

newtrul

Pre Seed Round in 2020
newtrul is a shipment aggregation platform that provides freight carriers an easier way to search for their next job.

Forager

Venture Round in 2020
Forager Group, Inc. is a company that specializes in cross-border freight and logistics services, primarily catering to supply chain networks in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Established in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Forager offers a range of services, including standard, expedited, and cross-border truckload solutions. The company utilizes advanced technology to address the challenges faced by cross-border shippers, providing modern and efficient transportation solutions. Additionally, Forager features a user-friendly web-based transportation management platform that enhances service delivery in the logistics industry. Its operations extend throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Arrive

Venture Round in 2020
Arrive Mobility Inc. operates a transactional platform that facilitates the booking and payment of parking for drivers, fleets, and connected vehicles across North America. The company provides an extensive inventory of parking spaces that can be reserved in advance, thus enhancing the parking experience. Arrive serves a diverse clientele, including car manufacturers, navigation companies, smart cities, and venues such as sports and theater stadiums. The company, previously known as ParkWhiz, Inc., was established in 2006 and rebranded in 2019. It offers solutions through various platforms, including apps, websites, and in-vehicle integrations, ensuring a seamless parking experience that predicts and recommends optimal parking options for users. With a network of over a million parking spots, Arrive aims to improve the efficiency of parking and contribute to smarter mobility solutions. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and has a research and development center in Israel.

Raise

Seed Round in 2020
Raise is a leading digital prepaid and retail payment platform where consumers save money on every purchase at over 4,000 brands and earn rewards with Raise Pay. As a digital partner to more than 600+ national brands, Raise offers an innovative way for retailers to increase brand loyalty, engagement, and retention by adding value for their core consumers. Since 2013, Raise has saved its millions of members more than $200 million and received $147 million in funding from leading investors including Accel, PayPal, Bessemer Venture Partners, and New Enterprise Associates. Raise is available on both iOS and Android or at raise.com

Vouch

Venture Round in 2019
Vouch, Inc. is an insurance provider focused on delivering tailored insurance solutions for startups in the United States. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company specializes in various types of coverage, including general liability, business property, directors and officers, errors and omissions, cyber coverage, and more. Vouch also offers risk assessment services and management tools, enabling startups to effectively manage and mitigate potential risks. The company aims to simplify the process of obtaining business insurance through its digital platform, which allows clients to access customized coverage options. Vouch operates as a subsidiary of SVB Financial Group and has expanded its presence with additional offices in Chicago.

Vouch

Series B in 2019
Vouch, Inc. is an insurance provider focused on delivering tailored insurance solutions for startups in the United States. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company specializes in various types of coverage, including general liability, business property, directors and officers, errors and omissions, cyber coverage, and more. Vouch also offers risk assessment services and management tools, enabling startups to effectively manage and mitigate potential risks. The company aims to simplify the process of obtaining business insurance through its digital platform, which allows clients to access customized coverage options. Vouch operates as a subsidiary of SVB Financial Group and has expanded its presence with additional offices in Chicago.

NuCurrent

Series C in 2019
NuCurrent, Inc. specializes in the design, fabrication, and integration of advanced wireless power antennas, surface-mount inductors, and inductive coils. The company develops high-efficiency antennas that comply with various industry standards, including those set by the Alliance for Wireless Power, the Wireless Power Consortium, and the Power Matters Alliance. NuCurrent collaborates closely with original equipment manufacturers and integrators to create custom-designed and rapidly prototyped solutions tailored for a wide array of applications. Its patented designs and manufacturing techniques enhance performance by addressing common high-frequency challenges, resulting in antennas that are more efficient, compact, durable, and cost-effective. Founded in 2009, NuCurrent is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

NuCurrent

Venture Round in 2019
NuCurrent, Inc. specializes in the design, fabrication, and integration of advanced wireless power antennas, surface-mount inductors, and inductive coils. The company develops high-efficiency antennas that comply with various industry standards, including those set by the Alliance for Wireless Power, the Wireless Power Consortium, and the Power Matters Alliance. NuCurrent collaborates closely with original equipment manufacturers and integrators to create custom-designed and rapidly prototyped solutions tailored for a wide array of applications. Its patented designs and manufacturing techniques enhance performance by addressing common high-frequency challenges, resulting in antennas that are more efficient, compact, durable, and cost-effective. Founded in 2009, NuCurrent is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Fast Radius

Venture Round in 2019
Fast Radius, Inc. provides additive manufacturing solutions including application discovery, product design and testing, production-grade manufacturing, and global fulfillment. The company offers additive thermoplastic, elastomeric, and metal manufacturing services. Additionally, it provides CNC machining, injection and cast urethane molding, and reverse engineering services. Fast Radius, Inc. was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

PartySlate

Seed Round in 2019
PartySlate, Inc. operates a website for event professionals worldwide. Its platform enables users to browse, search, and save event ideas for weddings, fundraisers, mitzvahs, birthdays, milestones, holidays, corporate events, etc. posted by event professionals; and provides images from decor companies, event planners, caterers, photographers, venues, entertainers, and more. The company also connects users with event professionals. PartySlate, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Vouch

Venture Round in 2018
Vouch, Inc. is an insurance provider focused on delivering tailored insurance solutions for startups in the United States. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company specializes in various types of coverage, including general liability, business property, directors and officers, errors and omissions, cyber coverage, and more. Vouch also offers risk assessment services and management tools, enabling startups to effectively manage and mitigate potential risks. The company aims to simplify the process of obtaining business insurance through its digital platform, which allows clients to access customized coverage options. Vouch operates as a subsidiary of SVB Financial Group and has expanded its presence with additional offices in Chicago.

Arrive

Series D in 2018
Arrive Mobility Inc. operates a transactional platform that facilitates the booking and payment of parking for drivers, fleets, and connected vehicles across North America. The company provides an extensive inventory of parking spaces that can be reserved in advance, thus enhancing the parking experience. Arrive serves a diverse clientele, including car manufacturers, navigation companies, smart cities, and venues such as sports and theater stadiums. The company, previously known as ParkWhiz, Inc., was established in 2006 and rebranded in 2019. It offers solutions through various platforms, including apps, websites, and in-vehicle integrations, ensuring a seamless parking experience that predicts and recommends optimal parking options for users. With a network of over a million parking spots, Arrive aims to improve the efficiency of parking and contribute to smarter mobility solutions. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and has a research and development center in Israel.

Azumo

Series B in 2018
Azumo front light is here to light the way to the new era of high efficiency, durable displays that don’t fight the environment but work in tandem with it. The time has come for all of us to reflect on what displays can do for devices.

Xaptum

Seed Round in 2018
Xaptum, Inc. develops messaging platform for the internet. It enables IoT device authentication, authorization, and auto-configuration for messaging over a single TCP connection. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Azumo

Series B in 2018
Azumo front light is here to light the way to the new era of high efficiency, durable displays that don’t fight the environment but work in tandem with it. The time has come for all of us to reflect on what displays can do for devices.

PartySlate

Venture Round in 2018
PartySlate, Inc. operates a website for event professionals worldwide. Its platform enables users to browse, search, and save event ideas for weddings, fundraisers, mitzvahs, birthdays, milestones, holidays, corporate events, etc. posted by event professionals; and provides images from decor companies, event planners, caterers, photographers, venues, entertainers, and more. The company also connects users with event professionals. PartySlate, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Mezu

Venture Round in 2018
Mezu is a mobile payment app that gives you a private and secure way to give and get money without sharing your personal information. Just like cash, with Mezu, you can conveniently pay, tip, earn and donate safely and for free. Because Mezu believes that what you do with your money is your business. Mezu is now available on iOS and Android in the United States. Sign up and learn more: https://www.mezu.com.

LYLA

Venture Round in 2018
Errand Solutions, LLC specializes in providing custom-built convenience services primarily for healthcare facilities and large corporations. Founded in 1997 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company focuses on enhancing employee engagement and patient satisfaction through a comprehensive suite of offerings. These include onsite concierge services, a mobile application, and a network of vendors, which help manage personal business for both employees and patients. Additionally, Errand Solutions offers various money-saving programs designed to enhance employees' financial well-being, thereby aiding in employee attraction, retention, and productivity. The company serves a diverse clientele, including hospitals, retirement communities, corporations, hotels, building management firms, and residential clients across the United States.

Ocient

Series A in 2018
Ocient Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in analytical software solutions designed for managing large-scale databases. The company focuses on developing a near-real-time database and data analytics platform capable of handling petabyte- to exabyte-scale data sets. Established by a team with a notable history in the software industry, Ocient benefits from a highly skilled engineering team composed of computer scientists from prestigious universities and organizations. The company aims to provide innovative solutions that enhance data analysis capabilities for its clients.

Innoblative Designs

Venture Round in 2018
Innoblative Designs, Inc. is a medical device company based in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 2013, the company specializes in developing advanced electrosurgical devices, particularly focusing on radiofrequency ablation technology. One of its key innovations is the Sira™ device, a saline-assisted intraoperative radiofrequency ablation tool that employs bipolar current to create a controlled zone of ablation. Sira's unique design, featuring a saline microinfusion system, enhances contact with target tissue and is compatible with standard electrosurgical generators already utilized in operating rooms. This technology offers surgeons a new, effective option for intraoperative ablation of soft tissue, promoting ease of use and adoption in surgical practices.

Exicure

Venture Round in 2017
Exicure, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics for a range of conditions, including neurology, immuno-oncology, inflammatory diseases, and genetic disorders, utilizing its unique spherical nucleic acid (SNA) technology. The company's lead drug candidate, AST-008, is currently undergoing Phase 1b/2 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors. Additionally, Exicure is advancing XCUR-FXN, an SNA-based therapeutic in preclinical trials for Friedreich’s ataxia, and XCUR17, which targets messenger RNA associated with interleukin 17 receptor alpha. Exicure has established collaborations, including an agreement with Allergan Pharmaceuticals for developing SNA-based treatments for hair loss disorders and a partnership with DERMELIX, LLC for research and commercialization aimed at treating Netherton syndrome. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Exicure is pioneering a new class of immunomodulatory and gene silencing drugs that enhance the delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics across various tissues.

Kapow

Venture Round in 2017
Kapow connects companies with venues to book unique client events online in real-time. Their curated marketplace offers a more efficient way for companies to book events designed to acquire, engage and retain clients. Their suite of online tools cover events from start to finish at no additional cost. Venues fill their space during non-peak hours and drive corporate business while companies focus on building relationships with clients and measuring event success.

Logistyx Technologies

Venture Round in 2017
Logistyx Technologies helps businesses reduce shipping costs by 40 percent by getting smarter about what label goes on each parcel. Its edge computing model combines the power and collaboration capabilities of the cloud with the speed and agility of onsite tools and technology to ensure seamless support of the world’s largest and most sophisticated warehouse operations, as well as small businesses relying on manual fulfillment processes.

NuCurrent

Venture Round in 2017
NuCurrent, Inc. specializes in the design, fabrication, and integration of advanced wireless power antennas, surface-mount inductors, and inductive coils. The company develops high-efficiency antennas that comply with various industry standards, including those set by the Alliance for Wireless Power, the Wireless Power Consortium, and the Power Matters Alliance. NuCurrent collaborates closely with original equipment manufacturers and integrators to create custom-designed and rapidly prototyped solutions tailored for a wide array of applications. Its patented designs and manufacturing techniques enhance performance by addressing common high-frequency challenges, resulting in antennas that are more efficient, compact, durable, and cost-effective. Founded in 2009, NuCurrent is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Innoblative Designs

Venture Round in 2017
Innoblative Designs, Inc. is a medical device company based in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 2013, the company specializes in developing advanced electrosurgical devices, particularly focusing on radiofrequency ablation technology. One of its key innovations is the Sira™ device, a saline-assisted intraoperative radiofrequency ablation tool that employs bipolar current to create a controlled zone of ablation. Sira's unique design, featuring a saline microinfusion system, enhances contact with target tissue and is compatible with standard electrosurgical generators already utilized in operating rooms. This technology offers surgeons a new, effective option for intraoperative ablation of soft tissue, promoting ease of use and adoption in surgical practices.