Matchstick Ventures

Matchstick Ventures is a private equity firm based in Boulder, Colorado, that specializes in seed and early-stage investments in startups. Founded in 2015 by Natty Zola and Ryan Broshar, the firm targets early-stage software companies within rapidly growing but under-served startup ecosystems across the United States. By focusing on these areas, Matchstick Ventures aims to support innovative entrepreneurs and foster growth in emerging markets.

Mike Bollinger

Tech Partner

Ryan Broshar

Partner

Daren Cotter

Tech Partner

Natty Zola

Partner

Past deals in Minnesota

Inspectorio

Series B in 2022
Inspectorio Limited operates a mobile platform designed to guide inspectors through the quality inspection process, primarily focusing on textile and clothing factories in Asia. Founded in 2010 and based in Hong Kong, Inspectorio offers a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that enhances supply chain collaboration, visibility, and predictive intelligence for brands, retailers, and their suppliers. By digitizing traditional manual and paper-based processes, Inspectorio enables real-time sharing of performance data among all participants in the production chain, facilitating immediate corrective actions. The platform employs machine learning algorithms to predict potential issues and recommend solutions based on historical patterns. As Inspectorio continues to expand its network of production ecosystems, it aims to become the standard for production chain digitization and collaboration, fostering increased participation from production partners.

soona

Series B in 2022
Soona Co. provides photography and videography production services. It operates social-media studios that provide same day photos and videos. The company serves influencers and small brands that promote their products on social media. Soona Co. was founded in 2018 and is based in Denver, Colorado with studios in Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Landline

Series A in 2021
The Landline Company operates a bus transportation network. It provides passengers to book tickets and schedule buses from Mankato and Duluth to Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport. The Landline Company was formerly known as The Rocket Bus Corp. and changed its name to The Landline Company in October 2019. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in Hawthorne, California.

Pikup

Seed Round in 2021
Pikup, developed by Runerra Technologies Inc., operates an online platform that facilitates commerce through a hyperlocal, peer-to-peer marketplace. Incorporated in 2018 and based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, the platform leverages community traffic to connect neighbors who are already traveling within a neighborhood with shoppers in need of specific items. By matching these individuals, Pikup enhances convenience for consumers while also providing merchants with valuable data from each transaction once an order is completed. This innovative approach not only enables shoppers to obtain necessary items efficiently but also fosters community interaction and offers merchants an opportunity to engage with their local market more effectively.

Upsie

Series A in 2021
Upsie Technology Inc. specializes in providing a mobile application that simplifies the process of purchasing extended warranties for consumer electronics and appliances. Founded in 2015 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the app allows users to buy warranties for a wide range of products, including TVs, laptops, headphones, home appliances, and cameras. Upsie offers competitive pricing without the high markups typically associated with warranty sales, presenting all coverage options transparently within the app. Users can easily manage their warranties, initiate claims, and even scan barcodes while shopping to view available options for specific items. The app also features a function for photographing and storing receipts, enhancing the user experience by keeping all warranty information organized and accessible.

Fulcrum

Seed Round in 2020
Fulcrum is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform tailored for mid-sized manufacturing companies, aiming to modernize their operations and enhance efficiency. Established in 2015 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fulcrum focuses on creating a connected manufacturing supply chain that minimizes repetitive data entry and accelerates overall productivity. The platform is designed from the ground up to address the unique challenges faced by individual production shops, moving away from generic software solutions. By leveraging innovative concepts, Fulcrum seeks to improve operational workflows and provide a competitive edge in the manufacturing sector.

soona

Seed Round in 2020
Soona Co. provides photography and videography production services. It operates social-media studios that provide same day photos and videos. The company serves influencers and small brands that promote their products on social media. Soona Co. was founded in 2018 and is based in Denver, Colorado with studios in Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Parallax

Seed Round in 2019
Parallax develops tools that deliver a shared perspective across an organization. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Edina, Minnesota.

Landline

Seed Round in 2019
The Landline Company operates a bus transportation network. It provides passengers to book tickets and schedule buses from Mankato and Duluth to Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport. The Landline Company was formerly known as The Rocket Bus Corp. and changed its name to The Landline Company in October 2019. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in Hawthorne, California.

Upsie

Series A in 2019
Upsie Technology Inc. specializes in providing a mobile application that simplifies the process of purchasing extended warranties for consumer electronics and appliances. Founded in 2015 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the app allows users to buy warranties for a wide range of products, including TVs, laptops, headphones, home appliances, and cameras. Upsie offers competitive pricing without the high markups typically associated with warranty sales, presenting all coverage options transparently within the app. Users can easily manage their warranties, initiate claims, and even scan barcodes while shopping to view available options for specific items. The app also features a function for photographing and storing receipts, enhancing the user experience by keeping all warranty information organized and accessible.

soona

Seed Round in 2019
Soona Co. provides photography and videography production services. It operates social-media studios that provide same day photos and videos. The company serves influencers and small brands that promote their products on social media. Soona Co. was founded in 2018 and is based in Denver, Colorado with studios in Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Pikup

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Pikup, developed by Runerra Technologies Inc., operates an online platform that facilitates commerce through a hyperlocal, peer-to-peer marketplace. Incorporated in 2018 and based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, the platform leverages community traffic to connect neighbors who are already traveling within a neighborhood with shoppers in need of specific items. By matching these individuals, Pikup enhances convenience for consumers while also providing merchants with valuable data from each transaction once an order is completed. This innovative approach not only enables shoppers to obtain necessary items efficiently but also fosters community interaction and offers merchants an opportunity to engage with their local market more effectively.

ProcessBolt

Pre Seed Round in 2018
ProcessBolt empowers the enterprise supplier risk management process by replacing spreadsheets and emails with AI powered interactive questionnaires, process tracking, notifications, alerting, data driven dashboards and risk metrics. Enterprise: Full visibility to supplier risk and assessment status. Suppliers: Painless, intuitive and easily repeatable client risk assessments. Risk Management Professional: One simple platform saving time and dollars. Purpose built workflow to ease risk assessment process. Pre-configured and easily customizable assessment templates (BITS SIG, GDPR readiness, PCI SAQ, and more). Quickly attach evidence and artifacts to assessments. Meaningful notifications and alerts.

Inspectorio

Series A in 2018
Inspectorio Limited operates a mobile platform designed to guide inspectors through the quality inspection process, primarily focusing on textile and clothing factories in Asia. Founded in 2010 and based in Hong Kong, Inspectorio offers a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that enhances supply chain collaboration, visibility, and predictive intelligence for brands, retailers, and their suppliers. By digitizing traditional manual and paper-based processes, Inspectorio enables real-time sharing of performance data among all participants in the production chain, facilitating immediate corrective actions. The platform employs machine learning algorithms to predict potential issues and recommend solutions based on historical patterns. As Inspectorio continues to expand its network of production ecosystems, it aims to become the standard for production chain digitization and collaboration, fostering increased participation from production partners.

Structuralapp

Venture Round in 2018
Structural, Inc. is a software company based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, founded in 2017. The company specializes in creating a comprehensive people directory that consolidates employee data from various sources within an organization. This platform enhances communication and collaboration by allowing employees to connect with one another and discover internal opportunities more efficiently. Structural's offerings include tools for managing enterprise teams and supporting remote and distributed workforces. By providing a dynamic and data-rich environment, Structural aims to strengthen teams and boost overall organizational performance.

Local Crate

Seed Round in 2018
Local Crate is a food and beverage delivery service company.

Upsie

Seed Round in 2018
Upsie Technology Inc. specializes in providing a mobile application that simplifies the process of purchasing extended warranties for consumer electronics and appliances. Founded in 2015 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the app allows users to buy warranties for a wide range of products, including TVs, laptops, headphones, home appliances, and cameras. Upsie offers competitive pricing without the high markups typically associated with warranty sales, presenting all coverage options transparently within the app. Users can easily manage their warranties, initiate claims, and even scan barcodes while shopping to view available options for specific items. The app also features a function for photographing and storing receipts, enhancing the user experience by keeping all warranty information organized and accessible.

StoryXpress

Convertible Note in 2017
StoryXpress Inc. is a company headquartered in Roselle, Illinois, that specializes in cloud-based video creation tools. Founded in 2017, it offers an API that allows businesses to seamlessly integrate video creation capabilities into their platforms, enabling the conversion of images, text, and video clips into promotional videos. This automation significantly reduces the time and cost associated with traditional video production, which can be prohibitively expensive for many retailers. By providing a web-based DIY application, StoryXpress empowers small and medium businesses to create high-quality promotional videos without requiring advanced video editing skills. This solution not only enhances the customer experience but also increases conversion rates on e-commerce websites by transforming existing product catalogs into engaging video content.

Inspectorio

Seed Round in 2016
Inspectorio Limited operates a mobile platform designed to guide inspectors through the quality inspection process, primarily focusing on textile and clothing factories in Asia. Founded in 2010 and based in Hong Kong, Inspectorio offers a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that enhances supply chain collaboration, visibility, and predictive intelligence for brands, retailers, and their suppliers. By digitizing traditional manual and paper-based processes, Inspectorio enables real-time sharing of performance data among all participants in the production chain, facilitating immediate corrective actions. The platform employs machine learning algorithms to predict potential issues and recommend solutions based on historical patterns. As Inspectorio continues to expand its network of production ecosystems, it aims to become the standard for production chain digitization and collaboration, fostering increased participation from production partners.

Kidizen

Seed Round in 2016
Kidizen, Inc. operates a resale marketplace that allows parents to buy and sell pre-loved clothing, gear, toys, accessories, and more for kids in the United States. Its community marketplace provides a storefront for moms to create run, earn money, and find the styles for their kids; connects moms with other moms through shared experiences and a shared sense of style; and allows moms to express themselves and go through motherhood together. The company also offers an iOS and Android application that enables users to connect, converse, buy, and sell kids' brands, as well as share brand passion and love of style. It offers products for girls, boys, toddlers, and babies. The company was formerly known as Itizen, LLC and changed its name to Kidizen, Inc. in May 2014. Kidizen, Inc. was founded in 2010 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Learn to Live

Seed Round in 2016
Learn to Live provides online CBT-based programs to address psychological problems such as depression, stress, anxiety, and others. It is driven by its mission is to help sufferers of mental health problems who have been too uncomfortable to ask for help, or have struggled to find available psychologists or therapists, grown tired of traditional self-help, or just want to try something new. It was founded in 2012 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

VidGrid

Pre Seed Round in 2015
VidGrid is an enterprise video platform that focuses on enhancing communication through interactive videos. The platform allows users to record and host videos while incorporating features such as in-video questions and interactive captions. It also offers integrations and a customizable video API, enabling clients to transform traditional video into a two-way conversation. This functionality empowers organizations to capture knowledge, engage with their audience, and effectively manage the flow of information. VidGrid's solutions are designed to support various business sectors, facilitating improved communication and collaboration in areas such as sales, customer success, training, and education.

Kipsu

Seed Round in 2015
Kipsu, Inc. operates a cloud-based technology platform that enables users to connect with their guests. It uses real-time digital communication channels, such as SMS, Internet chat, and social messaging to help users to connect with their guests. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.