Firebrand Ventures

Firebrand Management, LLC is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and based in Kansas City, Missouri. It specializes in investing in early-stage software startups primarily located in the greater Midwest region of the United States, encompassing areas from San Antonio to Minneapolis and Boulder to Columbus. Firebrand focuses on technology sector investments, deliberately avoiding regulated markets. The firm typically invests an average of $1,500,000 in funding rounds ranging from $300,000 to $500,000, with additional capital set aside for select follow-on investments.

John Fein

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Claire Hansen

Partner

Maranda Manning

Principal

Christopher A. Marks

Managing Partner

36 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, LLC is a food and drink company based in Chicago, Illinois, that specializes in enhancing workplace environments through the management of snacks, beverages, and event programming. Founded in 2015, Crafty offers a diverse range of products, including coffee, tea, beer, wine, spirits, perishables, and pantry supplies, catering to the needs of in-office, remote, and hybrid teams. The company provides services that encompass kitchen and pantry management, catering, and event planning, aimed at creating enjoyable workplace experiences. Crafty's platform centralizes the management of food and beverage services, ensuring that organizations can efficiently oversee their workplace refreshment needs and elevate employee satisfaction through well-organized events and tastings.

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
Replica is an innovative urban planning tool that assists cities in addressing critical transportation challenges. Founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, the company gathers and analyzes data on how people navigate urban environments, utilizing third-party sources, such as mobile applications, alongside demographic information from public datasets like censuses. By constructing a synthetic population, Replica provides insights into movement patterns, including the total number of individuals using various modes of transport—such as cars, transit, biking, or walking—and their trip purposes, such as commuting, shopping, or education. This comprehensive data empowers public agencies, land developers, and communities to make informed infrastructure decisions regarding transportation, schools, parks, and hospitals, ultimately enhancing urban design and planning efforts.

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, LLC is a food and drink company based in Chicago, Illinois, that specializes in enhancing workplace environments through the management of snacks, beverages, and event programming. Founded in 2015, Crafty offers a diverse range of products, including coffee, tea, beer, wine, spirits, perishables, and pantry supplies, catering to the needs of in-office, remote, and hybrid teams. The company provides services that encompass kitchen and pantry management, catering, and event planning, aimed at creating enjoyable workplace experiences. Crafty's platform centralizes the management of food and beverage services, ensuring that organizations can efficiently oversee their workplace refreshment needs and elevate employee satisfaction through well-organized events and tastings.

Fluent Forever

Seed Round in 2019
Fluent Forever Inc. is a language learning application designed to assist users in mastering foreign languages through innovative techniques. Founded in 2013 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the app is built on the principles outlined in the bestselling book by founder Gabriel Wyner. It offers resources for learning various languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, German, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese. The platform provides a range of tools such as learning guides, pictures, animated templates, grammar resources, and vocabulary lists, allowing users to tailor their learning experiences. The app emphasizes effective memorization and pronunciation, aiming to help users retain their language skills over time.

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
Replica is an innovative urban planning tool that assists cities in addressing critical transportation challenges. Founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, the company gathers and analyzes data on how people navigate urban environments, utilizing third-party sources, such as mobile applications, alongside demographic information from public datasets like censuses. By constructing a synthetic population, Replica provides insights into movement patterns, including the total number of individuals using various modes of transport—such as cars, transit, biking, or walking—and their trip purposes, such as commuting, shopping, or education. This comprehensive data empowers public agencies, land developers, and communities to make informed infrastructure decisions regarding transportation, schools, parks, and hospitals, ultimately enhancing urban design and planning efforts.

ScaleFactor

Series C in 2019
ScaleFactor, Inc. is a provider of accounting and finance software that aims to streamline business accounting and financial operations. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, ScaleFactor offers automated bookkeeping, proactive alerts, and a suite of financial analysis tools. The software utilizes machine learning to process and categorize financial transactions in real-time, enabling business owners and managers to gain actionable insights from their financial data. In addition to its software solutions, ScaleFactor provides a range of services including IT and accounting integration, HR and payroll support, CFO advisory, benefits administration, and compliance. The company serves various industries, including professional services, restaurants, retail, technology, and wellness, and maintains strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. ScaleFactor operates additional offices in Denver, New York, Santa Monica, and Coquitlam, Canada.

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, Inc. is a provider of accounting and finance software that aims to streamline business accounting and financial operations. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, ScaleFactor offers automated bookkeeping, proactive alerts, and a suite of financial analysis tools. The software utilizes machine learning to process and categorize financial transactions in real-time, enabling business owners and managers to gain actionable insights from their financial data. In addition to its software solutions, ScaleFactor provides a range of services including IT and accounting integration, HR and payroll support, CFO advisory, benefits administration, and compliance. The company serves various industries, including professional services, restaurants, retail, technology, and wellness, and maintains strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. ScaleFactor operates additional offices in Denver, New York, Santa Monica, and Coquitlam, Canada.

The Minte

Seed Round in 2018
The Minte, based in Chicago, Illinois, provides hotel-style housekeeping services primarily for high-rise apartment residents. Established in 2017, the company employs a building-centric staffing model to ensure consistent and reliable cleaning. Its offerings include a range of cleaning tasks such as sweeping and spot cleaning floors, wiping countertops, loading dishwashers, decluttering rooms, and refreshing bathrooms. Residents can easily book services through a mobile app or by using a convenient button located outside their door, allowing for a seamless experience in maintaining their living spaces.

Local Crate

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

Zohr

Seed Round in 2018
Zohr, Inc. is a retail and service company specializing in tires, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The company offers a variety of services, including tire replacement, rotation, pressure monitoring system installation, flat tire repair, and fleet services. Zohr aims to simplify the tire replacement process by providing mobile services that allow customers to have new tires delivered and installed at their homes or offices. In addition to its Kansas City headquarters, Zohr operates multiple locations across Kansas and Missouri, including Bonner Springs, Fairway, Mission Hills, Piper, Shawnee, Belton, Gladstone, Riverside, Liberty, and Raytown.

Locomation

Seed Round in 2018
Locomation, Inc. is a technology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in developing advanced trucking solutions through artificial intelligence and driver augmentation. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on enhancing safety and efficiency in the trucking industry with its innovative platform. Locomation's technology utilizes relay convoying, where a human-driven lead truck is followed by an autonomous truck, allowing for improved operational efficiency and cost reduction for trucking companies. The platform aims to eliminate truck-involved accidents and is applicable to various sectors, including commercial and defense transportation.

PathSpot

Seed Round in 2018
PathSpot Technologies, Inc. is a New York City-based company that develops a system designed to protect food service establishments and their customers from food-borne illnesses. Founded in 2017, PathSpot's technology scans employees' hands to detect harmful pathogens in under two seconds, utilizing a unique algorithm that filters, processes, and analyzes fluorescent light. In addition to hand scanning, the device can also indicate the presence of harmful bacteria on work surfaces and cooking utensils, allowing clients to quickly identify and mitigate threats. By providing reliable and efficient pathogen detection, PathSpot aims to enhance food safety and safeguard both patrons and employees.

The Waggle Co

Seed Round in 2018
The Waggle Company, Inc. is a pet care service provider specializing in customizable dog walking services. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company utilizes a technology-driven platform to enhance the experience for pet owners. This service includes real-time updates, a summary report of each visit, and a GPS-tracked map, along with photos of the pets. Through these offerings, The Waggle Company aims to provide reassurance and convenience for dog owners, ensuring their pets are well cared for during walks.

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 Tattoo

Seed Round in 2017
Ephemeral Solutions, Inc. operates tattoo studios that specialize in the application of semi-permanent inks. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York, the company offers a unique alternative to traditional tattoos by using inks that have a shorter lifespan, allowing tattoos to fade and eventually disappear. This approach provides customers with the opportunity to enjoy the art of tattooing without the permanence typically associated with it, catering to both recreational and cosmetic needs. By employing techniques similar to those used for traditional tattoos, Ephemeral Tattoo enables individuals to express themselves creatively while maintaining the flexibility to change their designs over time.

ScaleFactor

Seed Round in 2017
ScaleFactor, Inc. is a provider of accounting and finance software that aims to streamline business accounting and financial operations. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, ScaleFactor offers automated bookkeeping, proactive alerts, and a suite of financial analysis tools. The software utilizes machine learning to process and categorize financial transactions in real-time, enabling business owners and managers to gain actionable insights from their financial data. In addition to its software solutions, ScaleFactor provides a range of services including IT and accounting integration, HR and payroll support, CFO advisory, benefits administration, and compliance. The company serves various industries, including professional services, restaurants, retail, technology, and wellness, and maintains strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. ScaleFactor operates additional offices in Denver, New York, Santa Monica, and Coquitlam, Canada.

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. is a technology company based in Washington, D.C., founded in 2016. It specializes in automating, quantifying, and integrating security and risk analysis through its software solutions. The company offers products like Symphony, which maps the online information environment, and Viola, designed for global threat detection and analysis. Omelas collaborates with top developers and experts from various fields, including defense and intelligence, to combat issues such as digital propaganda and violence. Initially, the company focused on understanding the loyalty dynamics behind terrorist groups using techniques employed by advertisers, leading to successful interventions against planned attacks. Its software collects and analyzes data from social media and messaging platforms, revealing how authoritarian regimes exploit the internet, thereby providing clients with insights and strategies to navigate these challenges effectively.

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 Tattoo

Seed Round in 2017
Ephemeral Solutions, Inc. operates tattoo studios that specialize in the application of semi-permanent inks. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York, the company offers a unique alternative to traditional tattoos by using inks that have a shorter lifespan, allowing tattoos to fade and eventually disappear. This approach provides customers with the opportunity to enjoy the art of tattooing without the permanence typically associated with it, catering to both recreational and cosmetic needs. By employing techniques similar to those used for traditional tattoos, Ephemeral Tattoo enables individuals to express themselves creatively while maintaining the flexibility to change their designs over time.

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.
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