Bluestem Capital

Bluestem Capital Company, LLC, established in 1989 and headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a private equity firm focusing on mid-market investments. It specializes in mezzanine financing, buyouts, and recapitalization, typically investing between $0.5 million and $3 million. Bluestem Capital prefers sectors such as business services, life sciences, natural resources, and manufacturing, and seeks majority stakes in companies based in the midwestern region, with a particular focus on California. The firm invests in the form of convertible preferred stock, subordinated debentures with warrants, and convertible subordinated debentures, and often seeks a Board seat in its portfolio companies. Bluestem Capital typically exits its investments through public offerings, management buyouts, or sales to strategic buyers or other financial buyers.

Drew Doshier

Principal - Portfolio Management

Sandy Horst

Partner and CFO

Steve Kirby

Founder and Partner

Nikole Mulder

Partner and Vice President

Tyler J. Stowater

Partner and Vice President

31 past transactions

Orasis Pharmaceuticals

Series D in 2024
Orasis Pharmaceuticals Ltd is focused on developing innovative treatments for presbyopia, a common age-related vision condition. Founded in 2015 and based in Herzliya, Israel, the company has developed CSF-1, a corrective eye drop designed to improve near visual acuity through pupil modulation. This product aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with presbyopia by alleviating the need for reading glasses. CSF-1 repurposes existing, well-studied molecules to ensure its effectiveness while prioritizing safety, comfort, and ease of use for patients. By providing a noninvasive treatment option, Orasis Pharmaceuticals offers a promising solution for those struggling with the symptoms of presbyopia.

Lentechs

Venture Round in 2023
Lentechs is a medical device company based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in the development of innovative soft bifocal contact lenses. The company focuses on creating a new generation of soft, suspended progressive contact lenses that enhance visual clarity and comfort. These lenses are designed to allow natural eye movement, similar to the experience of wearing bifocal glasses, while minimizing irritation. Lentechs aims to provide a comprehensive range of products that address the needs of patients throughout their visual health journey.

Virtual Incision

Series C in 2023
Virtual Incision is focused on developing innovative surgical solutions, specifically through its miniaturized robotic support device designed for colon resection. The company's flagship product, the MIRA (Miniaturized In vivo Robotic Assistant) Platform, is a pioneering device that aims to streamline surgical procedures by allowing for quick setup in the operating room without the need for heavy equipment. This technology is intended to assist surgeons in improving clinical outcomes while also addressing healthcare costs. Virtual Incision's approach represents a significant advancement in robotic-assisted surgery, with plans for future applications beyond colon resection.

Neurolens

Venture Round in 2022
Neurolens is a company that specializes in prescription lenses designed to alleviate discomfort caused by eye misalignment. Founded in 2012 and based in Costa Mesa, California, Neurolens incorporates a contoured prism into its lenses to improve eye alignment, which can help relieve headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and eyestrain. The company has developed a vision measurement device that utilizes an eye-tracking system capable of detecting even minor misalignments, measured in prism diopters. This innovative approach aims to address the chronic discomfort many individuals experience due to prolonged use of digital devices, reading, or engaging in detailed work.

Virtual Incision

Series C in 2021
Virtual Incision is focused on developing innovative surgical solutions, specifically through its miniaturized robotic support device designed for colon resection. The company's flagship product, the MIRA (Miniaturized In vivo Robotic Assistant) Platform, is a pioneering device that aims to streamline surgical procedures by allowing for quick setup in the operating room without the need for heavy equipment. This technology is intended to assist surgeons in improving clinical outcomes while also addressing healthcare costs. Virtual Incision's approach represents a significant advancement in robotic-assisted surgery, with plans for future applications beyond colon resection.

Zerigo Health

Series B in 2021
Zerigo Health, formerly known as Clarify Medical, Inc., specializes in home therapy solutions for chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. The company offers innovative products like the Clarify mobile ultra violet B treatment system and the Home Light Therapy System, both designed to facilitate phototherapy in a home setting. Zerigo Health aims to enhance the ease and effectiveness of UVB therapy through a connected system that allows patients to manage their treatment via a smartphone app. This app enables users to control dosing, frequency, and duration of therapy, ensuring adherence to guidelines set by dermatology experts. By allowing patients to administer their treatments with clinical precision, Zerigo Health improves the overall patient experience, while also monitoring compliance and progress, ultimately empowering individuals to manage their chronic skin conditions more effectively from the comfort of their homes.

Sydnexis

Series B in 2021
Sydnexis is focused on developing a proprietary treatment for pediatric progressive myopia, addressing a significant global medical need. The company manufactures a topical eyedrop formulation specifically designed to treat the progression of myopia in children. This innovative approach enables healthcare professionals to effectively manage and reduce the incidence of eye disorders in pediatric patients.

Orasis Pharmaceuticals

Series C in 2020
Orasis Pharmaceuticals Ltd is focused on developing innovative treatments for presbyopia, a common age-related vision condition. Founded in 2015 and based in Herzliya, Israel, the company has developed CSF-1, a corrective eye drop designed to improve near visual acuity through pupil modulation. This product aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with presbyopia by alleviating the need for reading glasses. CSF-1 repurposes existing, well-studied molecules to ensure its effectiveness while prioritizing safety, comfort, and ease of use for patients. By providing a noninvasive treatment option, Orasis Pharmaceuticals offers a promising solution for those struggling with the symptoms of presbyopia.

TearClear

Series B in 2020
TearClear Corp. is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on developing preservative-free therapeutic eye drops for conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye disease, and allergic conjunctivitis. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, TearClear aims to improve patient safety and compliance by creating a platform that captures preservatives before they reach the ocular surface. The company's innovative approach seeks to transform established ophthalmic medications into safer therapies, with ongoing development of drug candidates that may expand into various indications in the future.

Virtual Incision

Series B in 2020
Virtual Incision is focused on developing innovative surgical solutions, specifically through its miniaturized robotic support device designed for colon resection. The company's flagship product, the MIRA (Miniaturized In vivo Robotic Assistant) Platform, is a pioneering device that aims to streamline surgical procedures by allowing for quick setup in the operating room without the need for heavy equipment. This technology is intended to assist surgeons in improving clinical outcomes while also addressing healthcare costs. Virtual Incision's approach represents a significant advancement in robotic-assisted surgery, with plans for future applications beyond colon resection.

Zerigo Health

Series A in 2019
Zerigo Health, formerly known as Clarify Medical, Inc., specializes in home therapy solutions for chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. The company offers innovative products like the Clarify mobile ultra violet B treatment system and the Home Light Therapy System, both designed to facilitate phototherapy in a home setting. Zerigo Health aims to enhance the ease and effectiveness of UVB therapy through a connected system that allows patients to manage their treatment via a smartphone app. This app enables users to control dosing, frequency, and duration of therapy, ensuring adherence to guidelines set by dermatology experts. By allowing patients to administer their treatments with clinical precision, Zerigo Health improves the overall patient experience, while also monitoring compliance and progress, ultimately empowering individuals to manage their chronic skin conditions more effectively from the comfort of their homes.

Virtual Incision

Debt Financing in 2019
Virtual Incision is focused on developing innovative surgical solutions, specifically through its miniaturized robotic support device designed for colon resection. The company's flagship product, the MIRA (Miniaturized In vivo Robotic Assistant) Platform, is a pioneering device that aims to streamline surgical procedures by allowing for quick setup in the operating room without the need for heavy equipment. This technology is intended to assist surgeons in improving clinical outcomes while also addressing healthcare costs. Virtual Incision's approach represents a significant advancement in robotic-assisted surgery, with plans for future applications beyond colon resection.

Ambient Clinical Analytics

Series B in 2018
Ambient Clinical Analytics, Inc. develops healthcare data assimilation and decision support tools aimed at enhancing patient care in intensive care units, operating rooms, and emergency departments. The company's flagship product, AWARE, integrates with various electronic health record systems and bedside monitors to deliver crucial patient information on a single-screen dashboard, facilitating real-time clinical decision-making. Additionally, Ambient offers the Mayo Clinic YES Board, which enhances patient flow by providing real-time situational awareness. The company also specializes in syndromic surveillance solutions, including Sepsis DART, which aids in the detection and confirmation of sepsis, and the Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury Sniffer, designed for ventilator monitoring. Furthermore, Ambient provides the Synthesis Platform, which serves as an integration tool for AWARE and the Mayo Clinic solutions. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota, Ambient Clinical Analytics focuses on reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes through its innovative tools and technology.

PolyCera

Series A in 2018
PolyCera, Inc., established in 2012 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced PolyCera membranes. These membranes, made from organic polymer materials, excel in ultrafiltration (UF), offering a unique blend of hydrophilicity, permeability, and robustness. Key products include PolyCera hydro, effective against bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, and PolyCera titan, which withstands oil, hydrocarbons, and extreme pH and temperature conditions. Engineered with Nobel Prize-winning chemistry, these membranes feature a Spiral Monolith design, delivering exceptional operational performance and low total cost of ownership. They are oleophobic, hydrophilic, and fully back-washable, reducing downtime and chemical usage. With an installed capacity exceeding 55 MGD, PolyCera membranes serve diverse markets such as clean energy, fossil fuel energy, industrial wastewater, process separation, and municipal water treatment.

Tear Film Innovations

Series B in 2018
Tear Film Innovations Inc. is a medical device company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the treatment of evaporative dry eye and related conditions such as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and blepharitis. Founded in 2014, the company has developed the iLux Dry Eye Treatment System, a handheld device that allows eye care professionals to quickly evaluate and treat dry eye patients in under ten minutes. The iLux system uses targeted heating and compression to unblock meibomian glands, addressing the most common form of dry eye that affects over 330 million people worldwide. Additionally, the company offers BlephaRx, which targets both the symptoms and underlying causes of evaporative dry eye. As of December 2018, Tear Film Innovations operates as a subsidiary of Alcon, Inc.

Virtual Incision

Series B in 2017
Virtual Incision is focused on developing innovative surgical solutions, specifically through its miniaturized robotic support device designed for colon resection. The company's flagship product, the MIRA (Miniaturized In vivo Robotic Assistant) Platform, is a pioneering device that aims to streamline surgical procedures by allowing for quick setup in the operating room without the need for heavy equipment. This technology is intended to assist surgeons in improving clinical outcomes while also addressing healthcare costs. Virtual Incision's approach represents a significant advancement in robotic-assisted surgery, with plans for future applications beyond colon resection.

Montessorium

Series B in 2017
Montessorium, LLC specializes in creating educational applications for children, specifically designed for iPhone and iPad platforms. Founded in 2010 and based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the company develops apps that align with the Montessori learning philosophy, which focuses on personalized and self-guided learning experiences. Its offerings include a variety of subjects such as math, geography, writing, reading, puzzles, drawing, and painting, aiming to foster engagement and creativity among young learners. As of September 2018, Montessorium operates as a subsidiary of Higher Ground Education Inc., enhancing its mission to provide quality educational resources that encourage interaction between children and their parents.

TearClear

Series A in 2017
TearClear Corp. is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on developing preservative-free therapeutic eye drops for conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye disease, and allergic conjunctivitis. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, TearClear aims to improve patient safety and compliance by creating a platform that captures preservatives before they reach the ocular surface. The company's innovative approach seeks to transform established ophthalmic medications into safer therapies, with ongoing development of drug candidates that may expand into various indications in the future.

Ambient Clinical Analytics

Series A in 2017
Ambient Clinical Analytics, Inc. develops healthcare data assimilation and decision support tools aimed at enhancing patient care in intensive care units, operating rooms, and emergency departments. The company's flagship product, AWARE, integrates with various electronic health record systems and bedside monitors to deliver crucial patient information on a single-screen dashboard, facilitating real-time clinical decision-making. Additionally, Ambient offers the Mayo Clinic YES Board, which enhances patient flow by providing real-time situational awareness. The company also specializes in syndromic surveillance solutions, including Sepsis DART, which aids in the detection and confirmation of sepsis, and the Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury Sniffer, designed for ventilator monitoring. Furthermore, Ambient provides the Synthesis Platform, which serves as an integration tool for AWARE and the Mayo Clinic solutions. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota, Ambient Clinical Analytics focuses on reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes through its innovative tools and technology.

SpringCM

Venture Round in 2016
SpringCM Inc. is a cloud-based document and contract management platform based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2005. The company provides solutions that streamline the contract lifecycle, encompassing contract creation, negotiation, approval, signature, archiving, and renewal. Additionally, it offers a digital asset management system that automates processes related to content management, sharing, and collaboration. SpringCM's software enables organizations to efficiently store, organize, and search for documents while facilitating collaboration both internally and externally. The platform is delivered as Software-as-a-Service and includes a mobile application for enhanced accessibility. SpringCM serves various sectors, including legal, IT, operations, sales, human resources, public sector, procurement, and finance. The company also provides consulting, training, and support services to its clients. In 2018, SpringCM became a subsidiary of DocuSign, Inc., and has established a strategic partnership with Salesforce to enhance its service offerings.

Virtual Incision

Venture Round in 2015
Virtual Incision is focused on developing innovative surgical solutions, specifically through its miniaturized robotic support device designed for colon resection. The company's flagship product, the MIRA (Miniaturized In vivo Robotic Assistant) Platform, is a pioneering device that aims to streamline surgical procedures by allowing for quick setup in the operating room without the need for heavy equipment. This technology is intended to assist surgeons in improving clinical outcomes while also addressing healthcare costs. Virtual Incision's approach represents a significant advancement in robotic-assisted surgery, with plans for future applications beyond colon resection.

Montessorium

Series A in 2015
Montessorium, LLC specializes in creating educational applications for children, specifically designed for iPhone and iPad platforms. Founded in 2010 and based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the company develops apps that align with the Montessori learning philosophy, which focuses on personalized and self-guided learning experiences. Its offerings include a variety of subjects such as math, geography, writing, reading, puzzles, drawing, and painting, aiming to foster engagement and creativity among young learners. As of September 2018, Montessorium operates as a subsidiary of Higher Ground Education Inc., enhancing its mission to provide quality educational resources that encourage interaction between children and their parents.

Water Planet

Series B in 2015
Water Planet is a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in water treatment solutions aimed at addressing significant challenges in water reuse. The organization is committed to advancing global water sustainability by facilitating the commercialization and market adoption of innovative water technologies. Water Planet assists various sectors, including industrial, municipal, and agricultural clients, in managing their water treatment needs effectively. Through its efforts, the company plays a crucial role in conserving freshwater resources and promoting sustainable practices in water management.

Conventus Orthopaedics

Series A in 2014
Conventus Orthopaedics provides a range of orthopedic and sports medicine services. The physicians specialize in orthopedic surgery, reconstructive surgery, spine surgery, joint replacement, sports medicine, physical therapy, and operative care of fractures, arthritis, strains, sprains, and sports-related injuries. Conventus was formed by a team of medical professionals with the sole purpose of creating less invasive ways to treat challenging periarticular fractures. By leveraging advanced nitinol technology, the Conventus team has developed a platform technology that provides robust fixation and creates reliable repairs. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Workiva

Series C in 2012
Workiva Inc. is a cloud-based technology company that offers a connected reporting and compliance platform designed to simplify the complexities of organizational reporting. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Ames, Iowa, Workiva provides solutions that empower clients to integrate and manage data from various enterprise resource planning, governance risk and compliance, and customer relationship management systems. Its flagship platform includes tools for controlled collaboration, data linking, granular permissions, and comprehensive audit trails. With capabilities for creating, reviewing, and publishing data-linked documents and reports, Workiva serves over 6,000 organizations, including public and private companies, government agencies, and higher education institutions, helping them enhance productivity, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The company employs more than 1,100 individuals and maintains a presence in 15 cities worldwide.

Virtual Incision

Series A in 2010
Virtual Incision is focused on developing innovative surgical solutions, specifically through its miniaturized robotic support device designed for colon resection. The company's flagship product, the MIRA (Miniaturized In vivo Robotic Assistant) Platform, is a pioneering device that aims to streamline surgical procedures by allowing for quick setup in the operating room without the need for heavy equipment. This technology is intended to assist surgeons in improving clinical outcomes while also addressing healthcare costs. Virtual Incision's approach represents a significant advancement in robotic-assisted surgery, with plans for future applications beyond colon resection.

Renutra Natural Health Products

Venture Round in 2004
Renutra Natural Health Products share a tradition that runs deeper than individual knowledge, education and expertise.

Alteer

Venture Round in 2002
Alteer optimizes overall performance of medical practices of any size. Alteer’s Internet based software is the only integrated platform that eliminates paper completely and automates the entire workflow in a physician’s practice - from scheduling to charting to billing and patient messaging.

SWELL

Venture Round in 2001
SWELL emerged as the first pure-play online action sports retailer in the world in 1999.

Worldtrak

Venture Round in 2000
Worldtrak, a customer relationship management solutions provider.

Alteer

Venture Round in 2000
Alteer optimizes overall performance of medical practices of any size. Alteer’s Internet based software is the only integrated platform that eliminates paper completely and automates the entire workflow in a physician’s practice - from scheduling to charting to billing and patient messaging.
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