Impact Engine

Impact Engine is a Chicago-based venture capital and private equity investment firm established in 2011. The firm specializes in investing in companies that aim to create positive social and environmental outcomes. Its focus areas include education, health, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. By supporting businesses in sectors such as water, waste, energy, and healthcare, Impact Engine seeks to foster growth while addressing critical global challenges.

Rahul Bhide

Vice President

Linda Darragh

Co-Founder and Board Member

Sophia Friedman

Vice President

Ander Iruretagoyena

Vice President

Jamie Jones

Co-Founder

Priya Parrish

Partner and Chief Investment Officer

Jessica Droste Yagan

Partner and CEO

Past deals in Illinois

Clinify Health

Seed Round in 2021
Clinify Health works with independent physician practices who care for populations in underserved communities to achieve financial stability by optimizing decision-making at the point-of-care which results in these practices being able to enter in to, and succeed in, alternative payment arrangements.

CancerIQ

Series A in 2020
CancerIQ’s technology enables hospitals to identify, evaluate and manage entire patient populations based on individual genetic risk factors. By analyzing family history, running predictive risk models and automating NCCN guidelines, CancerIQ empowers community-based providers with the genetic expertise to prevent cancer or catch it early. The platform has been rapidly adopted by some of the top health systems in the country and fully integrates with genetics laboratories, EHRs, and specialty software vendors to streamline workflow, guide clinician decision making, achieve cost savings, and – most importantly – improve patient outcomes. Learn more about how CancerIQ is scaling the use of genetic testing to predict, preempt and prevent disease at canceriq.com.

TimeDoc Health

Series A in 2020
TimeDoc Health, based in Chicago, develops digital care management solutions aimed at healthcare organizations. Its primary offering, the TimeDoc CCM Platform, is a virtual care management tool that assists providers in managing chronic care populations. The platform allows healthcare facilities to document and track time spent on chronic care management services, manage workflows, maintain an audit trail, and identify eligible patients for chronic care management. Additionally, TimeDoc Health offers chronic care management services and provides care managers to healthcare organizations to enhance their staffing capabilities. The company was incorporated in 2015 and also has an office in New York.

CancerIQ

Venture Round in 2019
CancerIQ’s technology enables hospitals to identify, evaluate and manage entire patient populations based on individual genetic risk factors. By analyzing family history, running predictive risk models and automating NCCN guidelines, CancerIQ empowers community-based providers with the genetic expertise to prevent cancer or catch it early. The platform has been rapidly adopted by some of the top health systems in the country and fully integrates with genetics laboratories, EHRs, and specialty software vendors to streamline workflow, guide clinician decision making, achieve cost savings, and – most importantly – improve patient outcomes. Learn more about how CancerIQ is scaling the use of genetic testing to predict, preempt and prevent disease at canceriq.com.

Regroup

Series B in 2018
Regroup Therapy, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in telemedicine solutions aimed at addressing mental healthcare shortages across the United States. Established in 2011, the company has developed a platform that connects mental and behavioral health professionals with their patients through online sessions, using live and interactive video conferencing. Regroup's services emphasize patient privacy and the confidentiality of personal health information by employing end-to-end encryption. This technology enhances access to mental health care, enabling patients to overcome challenges related to geographic distance, mobility restrictions, and the logistical burdens of in-person visits to healthcare providers.

Kaizen Health

Series A in 2018
Kaizen Health is a healthcare mobility company that is improving access, quality, satisfaction and efficiency in health care by removing transportation as a barrier. Top healthcare delivery systems, payers, senior living, clinical trials and municipalities are utilizing Kaizen Health’s industry-leading technology and transportation network to address social determinants of health within and outside of health care to better promote health equity.

Fixer

Series A in 2018
Fixer is headache-free home repair. Customers book a skilled, experienced Fixer for any kind of home maintenance issue - confirming the hourly rate, estimate, and date + time online in seconds. The Fixer team handles any number of tasks big or small, often in just one visit. Quick, easy, finished. Fixer is a public benefit corp committed to providing training, certification and sustainable career paths for men and women in home repair and building trades.

Edovo

Series A in 2018
Jail Education Solutions provides intuitive educational courses where inmates are rewarded for learning. With their unique tablet technology, we help unlock the potential of millions of incarcerated people. Edovo increases access to invaluable resources for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

The Graide Network

Seed Round in 2018
The Graide Network operates an online platform that connects middle and high school teachers with qualified teaching assistants to facilitate grading and provide detailed feedback on student assignments. Founded in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the platform enables teachers to post assignments, review and match with teaching assistants, and receive student grades and feedback. Additionally, it offers an administrator dashboard that supports schools and districts in implementing comprehensive writing plans, ensuring that teachers receive necessary support while students benefit from personalized feedback. The Graide Network's mission is to enhance the efficiency of teachers' time, allowing them to concentrate on the most impactful aspects of education while improving students' writing and critical thinking skills.

ThinkCERCA

Series B in 2017
ThinkCERCA is an education technology company that operates a personalized literacy platform aimed at nurturing critical thinking, reading, and writing skills for students in grades 4-12. The platform emphasizes argumentative writing and facilitates collaborative discussions and debates within classrooms, allowing teachers to design, share, deliver, and assess lessons effectively. With users in all 50 states and over 130 countries, ThinkCERCA has established partnerships with notable organizations in the education sector and has received recognition for its contributions to literacy education, including accolades from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Common Sense's Graphite. By tracking real-time progress in reading and writing, the platform empowers students to engage deeply with various subjects through the process of argumentation.

Regroup

Series A in 2017
Regroup Therapy, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in telemedicine solutions aimed at addressing mental healthcare shortages across the United States. Established in 2011, the company has developed a platform that connects mental and behavioral health professionals with their patients through online sessions, using live and interactive video conferencing. Regroup's services emphasize patient privacy and the confidentiality of personal health information by employing end-to-end encryption. This technology enhances access to mental health care, enabling patients to overcome challenges related to geographic distance, mobility restrictions, and the logistical burdens of in-person visits to healthcare providers.

Kaizen Health

Seed Round in 2017
Kaizen Health is a healthcare mobility company that is improving access, quality, satisfaction and efficiency in health care by removing transportation as a barrier. Top healthcare delivery systems, payers, senior living, clinical trials and municipalities are utilizing Kaizen Health’s industry-leading technology and transportation network to address social determinants of health within and outside of health care to better promote health equity.

Pangea Money Transfer

Series B in 2016
Pangea Money Transfer is an award-winning mobile-centric money transfer platform that allows on-the-go users to send money from the U.S. to 15 countries across Latin America and Asia in less than 30 seconds -- all for a low flat fee. Receivers can collect the cash at thousands of retail locations or have it directly deposited into any bank account or onto a debit card. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Luna Lights

Seed Round in 2016
Luna Lights, Inc. is focused on enhancing night-time safety for senior citizens through its innovative fall prevention solution. The core of its offering is an ultra-thin pressure sensor integrated into a bed pad that activates small, wireless lights throughout the home when a user gets out of bed, ensuring they can navigate safely during the night. Once the user returns to bed, the lights turn off automatically. The system also includes a monitoring component that tracks the frequency and duration of nighttime trips, alerting caregivers through text notifications if an individual remains out of bed for an extended period. This data helps caregivers identify trends and assess fall risk among seniors. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Luna Lights operates as a subsidiary of Sentrics as of September 2020.

Regroup

Seed Round in 2016
Regroup Therapy, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in telemedicine solutions aimed at addressing mental healthcare shortages across the United States. Established in 2011, the company has developed a platform that connects mental and behavioral health professionals with their patients through online sessions, using live and interactive video conferencing. Regroup's services emphasize patient privacy and the confidentiality of personal health information by employing end-to-end encryption. This technology enhances access to mental health care, enabling patients to overcome challenges related to geographic distance, mobility restrictions, and the logistical burdens of in-person visits to healthcare providers.

Classroom IQ

Seed Round in 2016
ClassroomIQ is a fast, online grading tool for teachers. Grade hundreds of questions in minutes. Use your existing assignment formats. Instant analysis for immediate feedback. Works on any web connected device.

Edovo

Seed Round in 2016
Jail Education Solutions provides intuitive educational courses where inmates are rewarded for learning. With their unique tablet technology, we help unlock the potential of millions of incarcerated people. Edovo increases access to invaluable resources for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Skill Scout

Seed Round in 2015
Skill Scout, Inc. provides recruiting services for companies. The company offers social recruiting services by creating a media that features company, jobs, and culture in short videos, photo assets, articles, and other formats; building a campaign that shares company story across various social media platforms; and launching the social campaign to attract and drive applicants to company page to see the job video and apply. It also provides tools for hands-on interviews to screen and recommend candidates. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Swift

Seed Round in 2014
MSwift is a mobile application that provides all the benefits of a bank without all the hassle and fees. They offer savings solutions and intelligent suggestions on how to improve financial well-being.

Infiniteach

Seed Round in 2014
Infiniteach is dedicated to autism innovation through technology and training. It is a digital learning platform for one in 68 children diagnosed with autism. Its first product, Skill Champ, makes it easy for parents and teachers to create customized lessons that are rooted in evidence-based autism interventions. Infiniteach was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Guard Llama

Seed Round in 2014
Guard Llama is a Chicago-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in personal security solutions for students. The company offers a GPS-based wireless handheld remote designed to alert authorities during emergencies. When activated, the remote triggers a mobile application on the user's smartphone, which transmits their GPS location, security profile, photo, and medical information to a 24/7 dispatch center that is UL Listed and Federally Certified. This system aims to enhance safety by providing immediate assistance and information to local police in critical situations.

Hooray Learning

Seed Round in 2014
Hooray Learning is a Chicago-based company that provides an online creative writing platform designed to engage, educate, and empower young learners along with their educators and parents. Its main product, Hooray Writing, is an interactive portal that allows students to create various types of stories while facilitating collaboration with educators who can align these narratives with academic objectives. The platform also encourages parental involvement, enabling parents to assist their children in developing writing skills. Founded in 2014 and originally known as StoryPort, Inc., Hooray Learning aims to foster creativity and skill-building in young writers through its easy-to-use tools.

HabitNu

Seed Round in 2014
HabitNu focuses on preventing and managing chronic diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes and hypertension, through a combination of technology and social support. Its Diabetes Prevention Program Platform facilitates easy phone-based tracking and monitoring of essential health indicators, while also utilizing a patient's personal support network to encourage positive behavioral changes. By employing predictive analysis, goal-setting, and personalized nudges, HabitNu aims to foster healthier habits and improve health outcomes. This innovative approach allows healthcare providers to enhance the effectiveness of one-on-one disease management and enables health plans and self-insured employers to reduce costs associated with chronic disease care.

Civic Artworks

Seed Round in 2014
Civic ArtWorks, LLC is a Chicago-based company that offers an online platform dedicated to community planning and design. Founded in 2006, the platform enables citizens to propose and provide feedback on civic projects throughout the entire planning process. By equipping individuals with the necessary tools, Civic ArtWorks empowers communities to actively participate in shaping the development of their neighborhoods.

Youtopia

Seed Round in 2014
Youtopia is a student engagement platform that provides instant access to plug-and-play gamification tools that incentivize students to become more involved in their classes, schools, and communities.

ShelfFlip

Seed Round in 2014
ShelfFlip.com is an online platform based in Chicago, Illinois, that simplifies the process of selling used books and electronics. The service automatically compiles a user's purchases from email order confirmations, Amazon, and Goodreads, creating a comprehensive list of items eligible for resale. By scanning various Re-Commerce sites, ShelfFlip provides users with the best prices for their products, ensuring they receive maximum value. This streamlined approach addresses the common frustrations associated with online selling, effectively reducing the likelihood of valuable items being discarded or forgotten. Users can easily calculate the resale value of their products and sell them directly to friends or through the platform, enhancing the overall resale experience.

ZeroPercent.us

Seed Round in 2014
Zero Percent is an online food donation marketplace that helps businesses move surplus, edible food to nearby soup kitchens and shelters, reducing both hunger and waste.

Meal Sharing

Seed Round in 2014
Meal Sharing LLC operates an online platform that connects travelers with locals for home-cooked meals, fostering community and cultural exchange. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the service allows users to share culinary experiences, promoting healthier lifestyles through the enjoyment of home-prepared food. This social-networking site facilitates interactions between individuals, enriching their travel experiences and creating opportunities for meaningful connections over shared meals.

Pangea Money Transfer

Seed Round in 2013
Pangea Money Transfer is an award-winning mobile-centric money transfer platform that allows on-the-go users to send money from the U.S. to 15 countries across Latin America and Asia in less than 30 seconds -- all for a low flat fee. Receivers can collect the cash at thousands of retail locations or have it directly deposited into any bank account or onto a debit card. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Portapure

Seed Round in 2012
Portapure, LLC is a company that designs and manufactures innovative water filtration devices aimed at providing clean water solutions for households and micro-businesses, particularly in underdeveloped regions. Founded in 2010 and based in Chicago, Illinois, Portapure's flagship product, PureLives, utilizes patented filter technology to effectively remove sediment, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and other contaminants from water without the need for chemicals, electricity, or complex components. By making affordable water filtration products accessible, Portapure empowers families to ensure safe drinking water and supports the establishment of clean water micro-businesses within their communities, ultimately contributing to improved public health and sustainability.

Piece & Co.

Seed Round in 2012
Piece & Co. is a marketplace that links retail brands with artisans in the developing world, facilitating the creation of unique, story-driven products. Established in 2011 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company identifies artisan groups and employs technology solutions to help brands design custom products, manage production orders, and ensure timely delivery. Through its collaborations, Piece & Co. aims to provide sustainable livelihoods to underserved populations while offering socially impactful products to its brand partners. Formerly known as Collaborative Group, Piece & Co. emphasizes the importance of social responsibility in its business model.

Effortless Energy

Seed Round in 2012
Effortless Energy Inc. specializes in providing energy-saving services for residential properties. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company employs a unique approach by sending energy experts to evaluate homes for cost-effective energy upgrades. These upgrades are installed at no upfront cost to homeowners, with the company covering the expenses and subsequently verifying the energy savings achieved. Effortless Energy acts as a facilitator among homeowners, energy auditors, contractors, grant programs, and financiers, utilizing technology and an innovative financing model to streamline the process. By making home energy efficiency accessible and attractive, the company ensures that both homeowners and Effortless Energy benefit from the energy savings generated.

Azadi

Seed Round in 2012
Azadi gives women in rural India an alternate women-led retail channel to access essential female healthcare and lifestyle products which are specifically designed to meet their affordability, quality and design needs. Along with leveraging trusted relationships between women, Azadi uses traditional media tools such as wall paintings, loudspeaker vans and street plays to effectively integrate itself within the community and position itself as the rural woman's chosen retail solution.

Light Up Africa

Seed Round in 2012
Light Up Africa, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that develops innovative energy solutions for individuals in Kenya facing light poverty. Its flagship product, Taapoa, is a portable device designed to harness energy from everyday movements, allowing users to generate electricity through kinetic motion. This technology can be easily attached to bicycles, motorbikes, livestock, and boats, enabling users to power lights and charge mobile phones. By providing a sustainable and accessible energy source, Light Up Africa aims to improve the quality of life for Kenyans, addressing critical issues related to education, health, and economic stability.

ThinkCERCA

Seed Round in 2012
ThinkCERCA is an education technology company that operates a personalized literacy platform aimed at nurturing critical thinking, reading, and writing skills for students in grades 4-12. The platform emphasizes argumentative writing and facilitates collaborative discussions and debates within classrooms, allowing teachers to design, share, deliver, and assess lessons effectively. With users in all 50 states and over 130 countries, ThinkCERCA has established partnerships with notable organizations in the education sector and has received recognition for its contributions to literacy education, including accolades from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Common Sense's Graphite. By tracking real-time progress in reading and writing, the platform empowers students to engage deeply with various subjects through the process of argumentation.
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