Listen

Listen Ventures, LLC is a venture capital firm founded in 2010 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The firm specializes in seed and early-stage investments, primarily focusing on the consumer technology sector. It targets innovative startups, providing them with financial support and strategic guidance to foster growth. Listen Ventures manages multiple funds, including Listen Up and Listen Ventures III, which invest up to $5 million in promising early-stage consumer brands. With a commitment to nurturing new talent and ideas, Listen Ventures aims to drive the success of its portfolio companies in a competitive market.

Jeff Cantalupo

Founder & Managing Partner

Rick Desai

Partner

Hylton Irons

Investor

Sophia Lammers

Investor

Joe Silberman

Partner, Brand

Johnnie Yu

Investor

Past deals in Illinois

Black Buffalo

Venture Round in 2022
Black Buffalo Inc. is a Chicago-based company established in 2015 that specializes in producing tobacco-free nicotine alternatives designed to replicate the experience of traditional smokeless products. Co-founder Jeffery David emphasizes that their offerings closely resemble conventional dipping products in look, feel, and smell, while eliminating the use of tobacco leaves and stems. The company's product line includes both long-cut and pouch varieties, each containing pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, providing consumers with a smokeless option that maintains the familiar aspects of traditional tobacco products.

Rise Gardens

Series A in 2021
Rise Gardens LLC builds and markets home hydroponic gardening systems. The company provides a gardening system with modular components to facilitate growing herbs, greens, veggies, vining plants, microgreens, tomatoes, and peppers. It also provides The Rise Gardens application that tracks plants' progress and guides users through fertilizing. It sells its products through online. Rise Gardens LLC was formerly known as Harvest2O, LLC. Rise Gardens LLC was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Skokie, Illinois.

Catch Co.

Series A in 2020
Catch Co. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in creating innovative fishing brands and products tailored for modern anglers. Founded in 2012, it offers a tackle discovery platform designed to help users learn about and engage with fishing. One of its key offerings is the Mystery Tackle Box, a subscription service that delivers curated fishing products directly to customers each month. By focusing on a simplified shopping experience, Catch Co. allows anglers to access essential gear—including tackle, bait, rods, and reels—at a competitive price compared to traditional retail. The company aims to transform the way fishing enthusiasts discover and purchase the gear they need, enhancing their overall fishing experience.

Catch Co.

Venture Round in 2020
Catch Co. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in creating innovative fishing brands and products tailored for modern anglers. Founded in 2012, it offers a tackle discovery platform designed to help users learn about and engage with fishing. One of its key offerings is the Mystery Tackle Box, a subscription service that delivers curated fishing products directly to customers each month. By focusing on a simplified shopping experience, Catch Co. allows anglers to access essential gear—including tackle, bait, rods, and reels—at a competitive price compared to traditional retail. The company aims to transform the way fishing enthusiasts discover and purchase the gear they need, enhancing their overall fishing experience.

Factor_

Series A in 2019
Factor 75 is an online platform that plans, prepares, and delivers nutritionist-designed and chef-crafted meals for its users. The company a fully-prepared meal delivery service that specializes in providing fresh, ready-to-eat meals with a focus on health and wellness. Its rotating menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options feature Keto, Paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, plant-based, and high protein meals that can be heated in the microwave or oven and are ready in minutes. Factor 75 only uses fresh ingredients from its trusted partners and assures that the meals are free of hormones, antibiotics, gluten, refined sugars, and GMOs. Factor is supported by leading consumer investors Listen Ventures, Bluestein Ventures, and Marcy Venture Partners Mike Apostal and Nick Wernimont founded Factor 75 in Batavia, Illinois in 2013.

Packback

Series B in 2019
Packback, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2014. It operates an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to enhance online discussions in academic settings. This platform enables professors to evaluate and improve students' critical thinking skills through structured digital interactions. Packback offers two main products: PB Books, which provides online textbooks on a rental basis, and PB Questions, a digital discussion forum that fosters engagement and personalized learning. The company's innovative approach aims to make learning more engaging and effective, helping students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for their subjects.

Here

Series A in 2018
Here Holdings, LLC is a company based in Chicago, Illinois, that specializes in producing cold press juices, dips, and spreads using Midwest-sourced ingredients. Their product range includes a variety of juices made from combinations of fruits and vegetables, such as pineapple, celery, beet, and ginger, as well as an assortment of dips featuring flavors like black bean tomato, edamame pea sesame, and spinach mushroom. The company emphasizes values such as trust, transparency, and community in its operations, aiming to provide high-quality, healthy food options.

Interior Define

Series B in 2018
Interior Define Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets furniture products. It offers sofas, occasional chairs, and chaise and L-sectionals. It also provides custom furniture products. The company offers products through its showroom, as well as online. Interior Define Inc. was founded in 2013 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Catch Co.

Series A in 2017
Catch Co. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in creating innovative fishing brands and products tailored for modern anglers. Founded in 2012, it offers a tackle discovery platform designed to help users learn about and engage with fishing. One of its key offerings is the Mystery Tackle Box, a subscription service that delivers curated fishing products directly to customers each month. By focusing on a simplified shopping experience, Catch Co. allows anglers to access essential gear—including tackle, bait, rods, and reels—at a competitive price compared to traditional retail. The company aims to transform the way fishing enthusiasts discover and purchase the gear they need, enhancing their overall fishing experience.

Catch Co.

Series A in 2017
Catch Co. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in creating innovative fishing brands and products tailored for modern anglers. Founded in 2012, it offers a tackle discovery platform designed to help users learn about and engage with fishing. One of its key offerings is the Mystery Tackle Box, a subscription service that delivers curated fishing products directly to customers each month. By focusing on a simplified shopping experience, Catch Co. allows anglers to access essential gear—including tackle, bait, rods, and reels—at a competitive price compared to traditional retail. The company aims to transform the way fishing enthusiasts discover and purchase the gear they need, enhancing their overall fishing experience.

Interior Define

Series A in 2017
Interior Define Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets furniture products. It offers sofas, occasional chairs, and chaise and L-sectionals. It also provides custom furniture products. The company offers products through its showroom, as well as online. Interior Define Inc. was founded in 2013 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

KnowledgeHound

Series A in 2016
KnowledgeHound is a pioneering analytics platform that specializes in search-based survey data analysis. It provides a unified, searchable database for market research data, enabling research and marketing teams to efficiently locate and utilize consumer insights. The platform features advanced visualization tools and powerful analytics that facilitate the transformation of raw survey data into actionable business intelligence. By integrating seamlessly with existing knowledge management systems, KnowledgeHound helps eliminate data silos, enhances collaboration, and allows teams to share information securely across various units and geographies. This approach maximizes the value of existing survey data, supporting organizations in making informed decisions based on comprehensive insights.

Remote Year

Series A in 2016
Remote Year, Inc. provides services for curating work and travel programs for professionals to see the world without quit their jobs. It operates a community of digital nomads from across the globe to spend a year working, traveling, and exploring cities in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and South America, as well as exploring the local community through cultural tours, speaking events, and volunteer opportunities. The company provides co-working spaces, private rooms, transportation, and community activities and events. Remote Year, Inc. was founded in 2015 and is based in Dover, Delaware.

Bucketfeet

Series A in 2015
BucketFeet, Inc., doing business as BucketFeet, designs and manufactures shoes for men, women, and children. It also offers tees, hoodies, and socks. The company provides its products online. BucketFeet, Inc. was founded in 2011 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. As of October 23, 2017, BucketFeet, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of SkinnyCorp, LLC.

KnowledgeHound

Seed Round in 2015
KnowledgeHound is a pioneering analytics platform that specializes in search-based survey data analysis. It provides a unified, searchable database for market research data, enabling research and marketing teams to efficiently locate and utilize consumer insights. The platform features advanced visualization tools and powerful analytics that facilitate the transformation of raw survey data into actionable business intelligence. By integrating seamlessly with existing knowledge management systems, KnowledgeHound helps eliminate data silos, enhances collaboration, and allows teams to share information securely across various units and geographies. This approach maximizes the value of existing survey data, supporting organizations in making informed decisions based on comprehensive insights.

Packback

Seed Round in 2015
Packback, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2014. It operates an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to enhance online discussions in academic settings. This platform enables professors to evaluate and improve students' critical thinking skills through structured digital interactions. Packback offers two main products: PB Books, which provides online textbooks on a rental basis, and PB Questions, a digital discussion forum that fosters engagement and personalized learning. The company's innovative approach aims to make learning more engaging and effective, helping students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for their subjects.

Raise

Series B in 2015
Raise is a leading digital prepaid and retail payment platform where consumers save money on every purchase at over 4,000 brands and earn rewards with Raise Pay. As a digital partner to more than 600+ national brands, Raise offers an innovative way for retailers to increase brand loyalty, engagement, and retention by adding value for their core consumers. Since 2013, Raise has saved its millions of members more than $200 million and received $147 million in funding from leading investors including Accel, PayPal, Bessemer Venture Partners, and New Enterprise Associates. Raise is available on both iOS and Android or at raise.com

Packback

Seed Round in 2014
Packback, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2014. It operates an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to enhance online discussions in academic settings. This platform enables professors to evaluate and improve students' critical thinking skills through structured digital interactions. Packback offers two main products: PB Books, which provides online textbooks on a rental basis, and PB Questions, a digital discussion forum that fosters engagement and personalized learning. The company's innovative approach aims to make learning more engaging and effective, helping students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for their subjects.

Bucketfeet

Venture Round in 2014
BucketFeet, Inc., doing business as BucketFeet, designs and manufactures shoes for men, women, and children. It also offers tees, hoodies, and socks. The company provides its products online. BucketFeet, Inc. was founded in 2011 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. As of October 23, 2017, BucketFeet, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of SkinnyCorp, LLC.

Gesture

Series A in 2014
Gesture, LLC operates an online mobile fundraising platform tailored for charities, nonprofits, schools, churches, and political organizations. Founded in 2011 and based in Westmont, Illinois, Gesture specializes in mobile bidding, which allows guests to participate in silent auctions via their smartphones, thereby enhancing fundraising efforts. The platform offers a suite of services including guest management, online ticketing, expedited check-in and checkout processes, direct donations, and real-time dashboards that track user engagement and revenue. Gesture's solutions are designed to streamline the organization of various fundraising events, from school auctions to elegant galas, ensuring clients can maximize revenue through efficient management of live and silent auctions. The company's mobile auction software is user-friendly and PCI-compliant, allowing participants to use their personal devices without needing additional equipment. Gesture's team of experts supports clients throughout the event lifecycle, from registration to post-event reporting, helping them achieve their fundraising goals effectively.

Raise

Series A in 2013
Raise is a leading digital prepaid and retail payment platform where consumers save money on every purchase at over 4,000 brands and earn rewards with Raise Pay. As a digital partner to more than 600+ national brands, Raise offers an innovative way for retailers to increase brand loyalty, engagement, and retention by adding value for their core consumers. Since 2013, Raise has saved its millions of members more than $200 million and received $147 million in funding from leading investors including Accel, PayPal, Bessemer Venture Partners, and New Enterprise Associates. Raise is available on both iOS and Android or at raise.com

Factor_

Pre Seed Round in 2013
Factor 75 is an online platform that plans, prepares, and delivers nutritionist-designed and chef-crafted meals for its users. The company a fully-prepared meal delivery service that specializes in providing fresh, ready-to-eat meals with a focus on health and wellness. Its rotating menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options feature Keto, Paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, plant-based, and high protein meals that can be heated in the microwave or oven and are ready in minutes. Factor 75 only uses fresh ingredients from its trusted partners and assures that the meals are free of hormones, antibiotics, gluten, refined sugars, and GMOs. Factor is supported by leading consumer investors Listen Ventures, Bluestein Ventures, and Marcy Venture Partners Mike Apostal and Nick Wernimont founded Factor 75 in Batavia, Illinois in 2013.

Tastebud

Seed Round in 2013
*Tastebud Techologies, Inc. was formerly StyleSeek, Inc.* Tastebud builds mobile experiences that personalize the world around you. The Tastebud Retail platform helps drive sales at brick-and-mortar shopping centers via personalized offers, games, loyalty programs, and beacon technology. We've delighted millions of users nationwide, and are fortunate to work with hundreds of leading retailers and brands.

Raise

Seed Round in 2012
Raise is a leading digital prepaid and retail payment platform where consumers save money on every purchase at over 4,000 brands and earn rewards with Raise Pay. As a digital partner to more than 600+ national brands, Raise offers an innovative way for retailers to increase brand loyalty, engagement, and retention by adding value for their core consumers. Since 2013, Raise has saved its millions of members more than $200 million and received $147 million in funding from leading investors including Accel, PayPal, Bessemer Venture Partners, and New Enterprise Associates. Raise is available on both iOS and Android or at raise.com

Tastebud

Seed Round in 2012
*Tastebud Techologies, Inc. was formerly StyleSeek, Inc.* Tastebud builds mobile experiences that personalize the world around you. The Tastebud Retail platform helps drive sales at brick-and-mortar shopping centers via personalized offers, games, loyalty programs, and beacon technology. We've delighted millions of users nationwide, and are fortunate to work with hundreds of leading retailers and brands.

Dose

Venture Round in 2012
Spartz is an online platform that makes it easy to create and share content with others to make them learn, laugh, and feel inspired. Its network, including OMG Facts, GivesMeHope, and MuggleNet, attracts 17 million readers across dozens of websites, mobile platforms, and apps. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

FanFueled

Seed Round in 2011
FanFueled operates a social marketing platform that utilizes patented "ROI" Technology, designed to track and reward consumer influence beyond traditional referral limits. This peer-to-peer loyalty system incentivizes users to share their purchases with friends, enhancing overall fan engagement and creating new revenue streams for brands. By leveraging real-time data analytics, FanFueled enables brands to connect with their customers more effectively, fostering sustainable digital communities. The platform not only authenticates consumer interactions but also rewards them for the additional purchases that arise from their social sharing, transforming fans into active promoters.

Raise

Seed Round in 2011
Raise is a leading digital prepaid and retail payment platform where consumers save money on every purchase at over 4,000 brands and earn rewards with Raise Pay. As a digital partner to more than 600+ national brands, Raise offers an innovative way for retailers to increase brand loyalty, engagement, and retention by adding value for their core consumers. Since 2013, Raise has saved its millions of members more than $200 million and received $147 million in funding from leading investors including Accel, PayPal, Bessemer Venture Partners, and New Enterprise Associates. Raise is available on both iOS and Android or at raise.com

FanGo

Series A in 2011
FanGo Software Systems provides mobile ordering technology solutions.