Firebrand Ventures

Firebrand Management, LLC, founded in 2016 and based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage software startups primarily located in the Midwest region of the United States. The firm targets a geographical area stretching from San Antonio to Minneapolis and from Boulder to Columbus. Firebrand Ventures typically invests an average of $1,500,000 in funding rounds that range from $300,000 to $500,000, with additional capital allocated for select follow-on investments. The firm deliberately avoids investments in regulated markets, such as those requiring FDA approval, to concentrate on sectors where it can leverage its expertise and network effectively.

John Fein

Managing Partner

Claire Hansen

Principal

Maranda Manning

Associate

Christopher A. Marks

Managing Partner

Ryan Merket

Partner

34 past transactions

Realto

Series A in 2022
Realto is an online real estate investment marketplace that helps people invest in real estate properties. The company also offers a platform that facilitates secondary trading of traditionally illiquid real estate and alternative securities, helping investors to transform and democratize real estate assets through liquidity and transparency.

Crafty

Series A in 2022
Crafty is a food and drink company that helps offices craft better workplaces with food, beverage, events, and alcohol management. It works with offices to elevate happiness by providing snacks, beverages, alcohol, and cool happy hour events. From hot coffee to cold brew coffee, from kegs of craft beer to bottles of Bud Light, from LaCroix to Coke Zero, from coffee cups to plastic silverware, and from fully stocked office kitchens to poppin’ events and tastings, they offer a truly comprehensive product portfolio. Crafty was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Judy Security

Seed Round in 2022
Judy Security is a cybersecurity company that specializes in providing software solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Incorporated in 2019 and based in Detroit, Michigan, the company offers a platform known as Marzo4, which provides comprehensive cybersecurity protection. This platform includes features such as password management, anti-phishing tools, and endpoint protection, designed to address the specific security needs of smaller enterprises. Through its focus on accessible and effective cybersecurity measures, Judy Security aims to empower businesses to safeguard their digital assets.

HData

Seed Round in 2021
HData, Inc. is a provider of regulatory technology (RegTech) solutions designed to support data companies in scaling their services for government regulators, regulated enterprises, and investors. Established in 2018 and based in Joliet, Illinois, the company focuses on transforming traditional regulatory activities such as compliance, reporting, and regulatory analysis through innovative technologies. HData develops a comprehensive platform that integrates solutions for both regulators and enterprises, facilitating a more efficient interface between the public and private sectors. The company also offers strategic counsel and relationship management services to assist clients in identifying growth opportunities within the regulatory landscape. The founder and CEO, Hudson Hollister, has a background in advocating for government data reforms, including contributions to the DATA Act of 2014.

Sway

Venture Round in 2021
Sway is a company focused on enhancing the online returns process for consumers and retailers. It aims to streamline the often cumbersome task of returning purchased items by providing a fully digitized solution. Sway enables users to arrange for the pick-up and drop-off of returns directly from their homes, eliminating the need for printing labels, packaging items, or visiting the post office. This service allows online shoppers to return products as easily as they can order them, significantly reducing the stress associated with online returns. By prioritizing convenience and efficiency, Sway supports online brands and retailers in improving their customer experience.

Dwolla

Venture Round in 2021
Dwolla, Inc. is a fintech company that specializes in developing application programming interface (API) solutions for electronic payments and bank transfers. Founded in 2010 and based in Des Moines, Iowa, Dwolla provides a platform that allows businesses of all sizes to collect, facilitate, and send payments efficiently. Its Access API enables users to link bank accounts and initiate transfers seamlessly, while the Dwolla Dashboard offers tools for managing customer information, viewing transactions, and analyzing business trends. Additionally, Dwolla Labs, a subsidiary associated with Veridian Credit Union, provides users with a low-fee method to access, move, and earn money through a pooled account system. This infrastructure simplifies the complex processes of accessing payment networks and navigating regulatory requirements for its clients across various industries.

Replica

Series B in 2021
Developer of an urban planning tool designed intended for transportation planning and city design development. The company's tool figure out how people move around cities through third-party sources, like mobile phone apps, and is then combined with demographic data from public sources, such as censuses, as well as public transit data creating a synthetic population, enabling city to make infrastructure decisions around transport, schools, parks, hospital.

Judy Security

Seed Round in 2020
Judy Security is a cybersecurity company that specializes in providing software solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Incorporated in 2019 and based in Detroit, Michigan, the company offers a platform known as Marzo4, which provides comprehensive cybersecurity protection. This platform includes features such as password management, anti-phishing tools, and endpoint protection, designed to address the specific security needs of smaller enterprises. Through its focus on accessible and effective cybersecurity measures, Judy Security aims to empower businesses to safeguard their digital assets.

Crafty

Venture Round in 2020
Crafty is a food and drink company that helps offices craft better workplaces with food, beverage, events, and alcohol management. It works with offices to elevate happiness by providing snacks, beverages, alcohol, and cool happy hour events. From hot coffee to cold brew coffee, from kegs of craft beer to bottles of Bud Light, from LaCroix to Coke Zero, from coffee cups to plastic silverware, and from fully stocked office kitchens to poppin’ events and tastings, they offer a truly comprehensive product portfolio. Crafty was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Fluent Forever

Seed Round in 2019
Fluent Forever Inc. is a language learning application designed to help users master foreign languages and retain their knowledge long-term. The app offers courses in several languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, German, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese. The company's methodology is based on principles outlined in the best-selling book "Fluent Forever" by founder Gabriel Wyner. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Fluent Forever aims to transform language acquisition by employing techniques that enhance memory and recall.

Threatcare

Seed Round in 2019
Threatcare’s automated Breach and Attack Simulation solutions provide real-time insights and actionable recommendations that enable organizations to build, measure, and maintain strong cybersecurity programs.

Prefix

Seed Round in 2019
PreFix Inc. is a preventive maintenance service provider based in Austin, Texas, focusing on a range of household systems including appliances, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Established in 2013, the company offers various services such as flushing sediment from water heaters, cleaning dryer vents, inspecting toilets for leaks, maintaining ovens, and ensuring the cleanliness of AC drain lines. Additionally, PreFix addresses issues like unclogging drains, sanitizing dishwashers, and checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. By servicing both homeowners and landlords, PreFix aims to alleviate maintenance worries and help clients save 30-50% on annual maintenance costs.

Replica

Series A in 2019
Developer of an urban planning tool designed intended for transportation planning and city design development. The company's tool figure out how people move around cities through third-party sources, like mobile phone apps, and is then combined with demographic data from public sources, such as censuses, as well as public transit data creating a synthetic population, enabling city to make infrastructure decisions around transport, schools, parks, hospital.

ScaleFactor

Series C in 2019
ScaleFactor provides accounting and finance software with automated bookkeeping, proactive alerts, and other features. It is a smart accounting and finance software that changes the way modern businesses operate. By automating complex accounting tasks and translating financial information into usable business insights, ScaleFactor is enabling business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs to focus on what they love: running and growing their business. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Headnote

Seed Round in 2019
Headnote is a technology company founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in payment and accounts receivable automation software specifically designed for the legal industry. The platform simplifies the payment process for law firms, making it as user-friendly as consumer payment services while ensuring compliance with legal regulations across all states. This innovation allows law firms to significantly improve their payment timelines, with Headnote customers typically receiving payments within an average of four days, compared to the industry standard of 60 to 94 days. Additionally, Headnote automates the tracking and management of accounts receivable, streamlining traditionally manual and time-consuming processes. The company also serves a range of legal professionals and partners, enhancing the efficiency of financial operations within the legal sector.

8base

Seed Round in 2019
8base, Inc. is a cloud-based platform that enables developers to build and run enterprise-class web and mobile applications using GraphQL. Founded in 2017 and based in Coral Gables, Florida, the company offers a suite of tools, including an app builder, serverless backend, and a data management system. Its platform allows front-end developers to create applications in their preferred frameworks while leveraging a robust back-end-as-a-service hosted on AWS. By utilizing no-code technology and a serverless architecture, 8base aims to streamline software development and accelerate the deployment of new applications, ultimately enhancing business impact. The use of blockchain technology further supports the creation of a network effect among developers, fostering collaboration and innovation in software development.

ScaleFactor

Series B in 2019
ScaleFactor provides accounting and finance software with automated bookkeeping, proactive alerts, and other features. It is a smart accounting and finance software that changes the way modern businesses operate. By automating complex accounting tasks and translating financial information into usable business insights, ScaleFactor is enabling business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs to focus on what they love: running and growing their business. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

The Minte

Seed Round in 2018
The Minte provides hotel-style housekeeping services, utilizing a building-centric model for staffing its housekeepers. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company allows customers to book its services conveniently through an app or by pressing a button located outside their door. This innovative approach aims to streamline the housekeeping experience, catering to the needs of busy individuals and families seeking reliable cleaning solutions.

Local Crate

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

PathSpot

Seed Round in 2018
PathSpot Technologies, Inc. develops and manufactures a system controlled by a software that protects restaurants and their customers from the threat of food-borne illness. It utilizes a unique algorithm for filtering, processing, and analyzing fluorescent light to scans an employee's hands to detect pathogens that cause food borne illness. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in New York City, New York.

The Waggle Co

Seed Round in 2018
The Waggle Company brings peace of mind to pet owners by offering fully customizable dog walking services through a tech-enabled platform that sends real-time updates and a visit summary report with a GPS-tracked map and pet photos.

Super Dispatch

Seed Round in 2018
Super Dispatch, Inc. specializes in car hauler automation software designed for carriers, brokers, and shippers in the auto transportation industry. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, the company offers an end-to-end platform that includes tools such as Super Loadboard for booking loads and finding vetted carriers, Carrier TMS for managing loads, drivers, and billing, and Shipper TMS for automating and digitizing daily operations. This comprehensive solution enables trucking companies to eliminate paper forms and streamline their processes through mobile applications and a web platform, enhancing efficiency and visibility in logistics management.

Threatcare

Seed Round in 2018
Threatcare’s automated Breach and Attack Simulation solutions provide real-time insights and actionable recommendations that enable organizations to build, measure, and maintain strong cybersecurity programs.

Ephemeral Tattoos

Seed Round in 2017
Ephemeral Solutions, Inc. operates tattoo shops. It applies ephemeral inks that have a shorter lifespan. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

ScaleFactor

Seed Round in 2017
ScaleFactor provides accounting and finance software with automated bookkeeping, proactive alerts, and other features. It is a smart accounting and finance software that changes the way modern businesses operate. By automating complex accounting tasks and translating financial information into usable business insights, ScaleFactor is enabling business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs to focus on what they love: running and growing their business. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Heartbeat

Venture Round in 2017
Heartbeat is a platform for millennial women to join, provide feedback to, and promote brands via their personal networks. Heartbeat has matched the millennial generation’s natural passion for self-promotion with a turn-key solution for brands to engage Ambassadors at scale.Coordinating large-scale Ambassador campaigns used to take 6 months.

Automox

Seed Round in 2017
Automox Inc. is an information technology company based in Boulder, Colorado, that specializes in cloud-based server patching services. Founded in 2015 and originally named PatchSimple, Inc., the company provides a platform that automates patch remediation across various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac, as well as third-party software. This solution simplifies the management of system configurations and continuous infrastructure monitoring, allowing organizations to maintain security and enhance productivity without the need for additional servers or complex setups. Automox’s platform offers capabilities such as hardware and software inventory management, OS and third-party patch application, enforcement of security configurations, and software deployment. Its technology enables businesses to gain real-time visibility into their system inventory, vulnerability status, and policy compliance, all from a single dashboard, facilitating swift and effective responses to security risks.

Omelas

Convertible Note in 2017
Omelas, Inc. specializes in automating and integrating security and risk analysis solutions. Founded in 2016 and based in Washington, D.C., the company offers tools such as Symphony, which maps the online information environment, and Viola, designed for global threat detection and analysis. By uniting top developers from major tech firms with experts in defense, diplomacy, and intelligence, Omelas aims to address the root causes of violence and instability in communities worldwide. Initially leveraging advertising technology to understand loyalty to terrorist groups, the company has since broadened its focus to tackle propaganda and various forms of violence, contributing to national security efforts with successful interventions and presentations to high-level intelligence officials.

Sickweather

Seed Round in 2017
Sickweather Inc. is a company that specializes in illness forecasting and mapping through its innovative mobile application. Founded in 2011 and based in Windsor Mill, Maryland, Sickweather utilizes patented social listening technology to scan social networks for indicators of illness. This allows the platform to detect real-time illness trends at a hyper-local level across more than 120 countries. Users receive alerts via email about potential sickness in their vicinity, and the application also provides a 15-week forecast and a threat level index known as the SickScore, effectively acting as a Doppler radar for illness.

Ephemeral Tattoos

Seed Round in 2017
Ephemeral Solutions, Inc. operates tattoo shops. It applies ephemeral inks that have a shorter lifespan. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

inKind

Seed Round in 2017
inKind Cards, Inc. is a Certified B Corporation based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in financing restaurants by purchasing substantial amounts of food and beverage credits upfront. Founded in 2014, the company sells these credits to consumers through its House Account application, a restaurant-loyalty platform designed to enhance customer loyalty and relationships. By offering financing options that range from $10,000 to $1.5 million, inKind has collaborated with over 350 restaurants across the United States and Australia. The company’s innovative approach has demonstrated significant results, with customers reportedly spending 400% more annually after acquiring House Accounts, thanks to increased visit frequency and higher spending per visit. In addition to its financing services, inKind has established itself as a leader in loyalty programs within the restaurant industry.

Dwolla

Venture Round in 2017
Dwolla, Inc. is a fintech company that specializes in developing application programming interface (API) solutions for electronic payments and bank transfers. Founded in 2010 and based in Des Moines, Iowa, Dwolla provides a platform that allows businesses of all sizes to collect, facilitate, and send payments efficiently. Its Access API enables users to link bank accounts and initiate transfers seamlessly, while the Dwolla Dashboard offers tools for managing customer information, viewing transactions, and analyzing business trends. Additionally, Dwolla Labs, a subsidiary associated with Veridian Credit Union, provides users with a low-fee method to access, move, and earn money through a pooled account system. This infrastructure simplifies the complex processes of accessing payment networks and navigating regulatory requirements for its clients across various industries.

FitBark

Seed Round in 2016
FitBark Inc. specializes in pet technology, offering a dog activity and sleep monitor that tracks a dog's physical activity and rest levels. This device provides valuable insights into a dog's health and behavior, enabling users to share information with veterinarians. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, FitBark sells its products through its online store and various retailers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The company serves customers in over 125 countries, helping dog owners manage their pets' activity, sleep quality, calorie expenditure, and overall health. Additionally, FitBark's platform is utilized by more than 45 veterinary schools and research institutions, supporting the validation of new drugs, foods, procedures, and medical treatments.