First Analysis

First Analysis is a Chicago-based investment firm with a long history in venture capital, having been founded in 1981. With over 30 years of experience, it has invested more than $750 million across various diversified funds, primarily focusing on early-stage investments in technology/software, healthcare, services, and clean-tech/chemicals sectors. The firm offers a range of financial advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, equity placements, and corporate restructuring. First Analysis aims to support established companies in becoming market leaders by funding growth initiatives and collaborating closely with management on strategy, recruitment, sales, and corporate development. The firm typically invests between $3 million and $10 million, either as a lead investor or as part of a syndicate, contributing valuable insights to its portfolio companies. As a subsidiary of First Analysis Corporation, it continues to play a significant role in the investment landscape.

Lawrence Berlin

Senior Vice President

Joseph Chopp

Vice President And Chief Financial Officer

Richard Conklin

Managing Director, Investment Banking

John Dexheimer

Partner

Clement Erbmann

Managing Director

Brian Friedman

managing Director, Investment Banking

David Gearhart

Investment Team

Corey Greendale

Managing Director

Terry Kiwala

Vice President

Paul Kleinaitis

VP

Daniel Louis Leonard

VP

Dave Leshuk

Managing Director and Marketing Communications Coordinator

David John Leshuk

MD and Research Director

Jim Macdonald

Managing Director

James Macdonald

Managing Director

Tracy Marshbanks

Managing Director

Joseph Munda

Senior Vice President

Craig Nankervis

Senior Vice President

Matthew Nicklin

Founder and Chairman

Michael Siemplenski

Managing Director Emeritus

Daniel Smereczynski

CTO

Howard Smith

Managing Director

Angela Soliz

Vice President and Chief Fund Financial Officer

Frank Sparacino

Senior Vice President

Christopher Stiegal

VP

Kiwala Jr., C.F.A., Terrence

VP of Enterprise Productivity Software

Past deals in Illinois

Drive My Way

Venture Round in 2022
Drive My Way, Inc. develops and operates an online personalized recruitment platform, which provides job matches for commercial truck drivers and employers. The company's platform allows trucking industry employers to post jobs based on key attributes and also export driver profiles directly into applicant tracking systems. Its technology facilitates truck drivers to create there profiles based on qualifications and lifestyle preferences. The company provides filtration processes based on schedule, location, benefits, and related perks. It also offers a content portal for members to see industry news and maintain a professional network. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

PCMI Corporation

Series A in 2021
PCMI offers a modular package of software solutions for the administration of F&I Products, Service Contracts, and Extended Warranties. Our SaaS platform, Policy Claim and Reporting Solutions™ (PCRS), supports and automates the full lifecycle of all aftermarket products and provides the most flexible environment for administrators, insurers, OEM’s, agents, and dealers to launch new products. Our global team enables continuous around-the-clock innovation and customer-focused support.

SmartWitness

Series A in 2019
SmartWitness Ltd., founded in 2007 and based in Croydon, United Kingdom, specializes in the design, manufacture, and distribution of in-vehicle cameras, recorders, and software solutions. The company focuses on enhancing vehicle risk analysis through its innovative products, which have garnered positive results for clients in various sectors. SmartWitness aims to redefine the standards of vehicle equipment by providing advanced technology that addresses safety and risk management in transportation.

yello

Series C in 2017
Yello, Inc. develops talent acquisition software solutions. The company offers campus recruiting, event management, interview scheduling, mobile recruiting, talent relationship management, referral, video interviewing, and evaluation management software products. It serves clients ranging from Fortune 500 global enterprises to high-growth and early-stage companies. Yello, Inc. was formerly known as Recsolu, Inc. and changed its name to Yello, Inc. in June 2015. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

yello

Series B in 2016
Yello, Inc. develops talent acquisition software solutions. The company offers campus recruiting, event management, interview scheduling, mobile recruiting, talent relationship management, referral, video interviewing, and evaluation management software products. It serves clients ranging from Fortune 500 global enterprises to high-growth and early-stage companies. Yello, Inc. was formerly known as Recsolu, Inc. and changed its name to Yello, Inc. in June 2015. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

yello

Series B in 2015
Yello, Inc. develops talent acquisition software solutions. The company offers campus recruiting, event management, interview scheduling, mobile recruiting, talent relationship management, referral, video interviewing, and evaluation management software products. It serves clients ranging from Fortune 500 global enterprises to high-growth and early-stage companies. Yello, Inc. was formerly known as Recsolu, Inc. and changed its name to Yello, Inc. in June 2015. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Freeosk Inc

Series A in 2013
A network of in-store kiosks that drive trial and awareness for the world's biggest brands. Scan your in-store rewards card when shopping to discover new favorites every week. Freeosk Marketing, Inc is an affiliate company of Blue Sky Chicago, experts at executing in-store marketing events since 2003.

Initiate Systems

Venture Round in 2008
Initiate Systems enables companies to strategically leverage and share critical data assets. Their master data management (MDM) software and experience as an information exchange leader provide complete, accurate and real-time views of data spread across multiple sources, even outside the firewall. This allows companies to unlock the value of your data assets for competitive advantages or operational improvements.

Go2Call

Venture Round in 2001
Go2call.com is an online platform that delivers Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions. The platform's products include Home which allows service providers to offer residential communications solutions; Enterprise that enables users to create, deploy, and manage multiple services for business end users; Mobile which offers calling card services with fixed line or mobile origination; and Call Shop that offers outbound calling services to call shops and internet cafes with multilevel call shop management tools. The platform's back office solutions enable carriers and resellers, broadband service providers, internet service providers, Voice over Internet Protocol license holders, call shops, and other distributors to offer VoIP services. Its solutions are also used by satellite providers, cyber cafes, systems integrators, mobile operators, and entrepreneurs. Go2call.com was founded in 1998 and is based in Evanston, Illinois. It operates as a subsidiary of Deltathree, Inc.

Go2Call

Venture Round in 2000
Go2call.com is an online platform that delivers Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions. The platform's products include Home which allows service providers to offer residential communications solutions; Enterprise that enables users to create, deploy, and manage multiple services for business end users; Mobile which offers calling card services with fixed line or mobile origination; and Call Shop that offers outbound calling services to call shops and internet cafes with multilevel call shop management tools. The platform's back office solutions enable carriers and resellers, broadband service providers, internet service providers, Voice over Internet Protocol license holders, call shops, and other distributors to offer VoIP services. Its solutions are also used by satellite providers, cyber cafes, systems integrators, mobile operators, and entrepreneurs. Go2call.com was founded in 1998 and is based in Evanston, Illinois. It operates as a subsidiary of Deltathree, Inc.