Great North Labs

Great North Labs is an early-stage venture fund focused on investing in technology startups in the upper Midwest. The firm aims to foster grassroots economic development by investing in exponential and disruptive technologies. Great North Labs provides both capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs, enhancing their chances for success while nurturing the local ecosystem to develop the next generation of transformative tech. The fund invests in companies from Seed to Series B stages, prioritizing those that leverage breakthrough technologies to innovate industries still reliant on analog processes. With a team composed of successful founders, Great North Labs emphasizes the importance of execution in its investment strategy, seeking high-potential startups regardless of their geographic location.

Pradip Madan

Managing Partner

Ryan Weber

Managing Partner and Co-Founder

Robert Weber

Managing Partner and Co-Founder

Past deals in Midwestern US

Quicklly

Seed Round in 2022
Quicklly is a one-stop solution for all your needs in the home especially in the kitchen or to satisfy your cravings for Indian Food. Looking for Indian Groceries and Food? Quicklly is your answer. With hyperlocal communities in the minds, we are providing services like Delivery of Groceries, Popular tiffin plans, Meal baskets, Indian Food items & Catering of gourmet Indian foods. Some of our fast selling products are Indian spices, Indian Street Food, Meal Baskets, and Organic food products. If you love any local shop in your area, you will probably find it on Quicklly. Keep exploring our products section or type in the search box to find out your favorite thing. All our products are available on our website which you can shop right from the comfort of your home. Best of all, we always keep offering attractive discounts and offers periodically. Keep exploring our website for more.

Omnia Fishing

Venture Round in 2022
Omnia Fishing, LLC is an e-commerce company based in Golden Valley, Minnesota, that specializes in providing anglers with the tools to buy and organize their fishing gear. Established in 2018, the company utilizes a "shop-by-lake" concept, allowing customers to find equipment tailored to specific bodies of water. This approach enables anglers to access information pertinent to their fishing locations, including details on species, styles, and seasonal factors, enhancing their overall fishing experience.

Yardstik

Series A in 2022
Yardstik is a software company that develops a screening and certification management system. It was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2019.

FactoryFix

Series A in 2022
FactoryFix is a platform based in Chicago, Illinois, that connects manufacturing companies with a network of qualified skilled workers, including engineers, machinists, and maintenance technicians. Founded in 2015, FactoryFix offers a managed marketplace that streamlines the hiring process for full-time and part-time positions, as well as contract and temporary roles. The platform not only provides access to vetted labor resources but also includes tools for generating job listings, vetting candidates, and offering salary insights. By facilitating connections between manufacturers and skilled labor, FactoryFix enhances the efficiency of workforce management in the manufacturing sector.

Flywheel.io

Series C in 2021
Flywheel Exchange LLC develops cloud scale data management platform for medical imaging core facilities, and academic and clinical research teams. The company offers tools, such as the flywheel web interface, a graphical user interface; the flywheel command line interface for uploading and downloading files, start jobs, and build gears; software development kits (SDK) for Python 2 and 3, Matlab, and R; and Flywheel Reaper for instrument integration. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

TeamGenius

Seed Round in 2021
TeamGenius, LLC, founded in 2015 and based in Wyoming, Minnesota, specializes in player evaluation for youth sports organizations. The company offers a cloud-based platform that modernizes the way sports clubs and leagues conduct tryouts, camps, and player development programs. By replacing traditional paper and spreadsheet methods, TeamGenius provides a more efficient solution that saves coaches and administrators significant time, reduces errors and biases, and enhances team formation processes. This innovative approach not only streamlines player evaluations but also supports ongoing player development and feedback, giving organizations a competitive edge in managing their athletic programs.

Flywheel.io

Series B in 2021
Flywheel Exchange LLC develops cloud scale data management platform for medical imaging core facilities, and academic and clinical research teams. The company offers tools, such as the flywheel web interface, a graphical user interface; the flywheel command line interface for uploading and downloading files, start jobs, and build gears; software development kits (SDK) for Python 2 and 3, Matlab, and R; and Flywheel Reaper for instrument integration. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

EmpowerU

Seed Round in 2021
EmpowerU Inc. offers online Social Emotional Learning (SEL) classes to students. It offers an online semester course which includes daily lessons with mental health professionals. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Excelsior, Minnesota.

Allergy Amulet

Seed Round in 2020
Allergy Amulet Inc. is a Madison, Wisconsin-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in the manufacturing and sale of consumer food allergen sensors. Its flagship product, the Allergy Amulet, is recognized as the world's smallest and fastest device for testing food for common allergens, providing results in seconds. Designed for portability, it can be conveniently carried on a keychain, necklace, or wristband, allowing users to maintain safety while enjoying meals. With food allergies affecting approximately 32 million Americans and millions more worldwide, Allergy Amulet aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with food allergies or intolerances. The company serves a diverse clientele, including families, individuals, and businesses, addressing the critical need for rapid allergen detection in everyday situations.

Dispatch

Series B in 2020
Dispatch is a technology that enables businesses to order a courier directly from the driver - bypassing traditional expenses that minimize company profits and reduce driver pay. The company targets companies that need to deliver products like auto parts, construction materials, paint, and HVAC components to customer sites. Dispatch’s tech lets suppliers orchestrate deliveries without owning a fleet of vehicles or employing drivers. It was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota.

PartySlate

Venture Round in 2020
PartySlate, Inc. operates a website for event professionals worldwide. Its platform enables users to browse, search, and save event ideas for weddings, fundraisers, mitzvahs, birthdays, milestones, holidays, corporate events, etc. posted by event professionals; and provides images from decor companies, event planners, caterers, photographers, venues, entertainers, and more. The company also connects users with event professionals. PartySlate, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Clinician Nexus

Seed Round in 2019
Clinician Nexus provides health systems, schools, and students with a transparent, people-centered platform that facilitates better clinical rotation management, from start to finish.

Inhabitr

Series A in 2019
Inhabitr is a furniture rental platform that lets users rent furniture at an affordable price. It uses a mix of AI-powered technology with a supply chain solution to offer a wide variety of furniture options curated by in-house designers. Inhabitr was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

ZAPinfo

Seed Round in 2019
ZAPinfo is an information automation and productivity tool that facilitates the recruiting and sales process by integrating contacts into the browser clipboard and helps finding direct contact information such as email address, resume, social profile information, allowing customers such as sales professionals to automate their daily tasks by simplifying and speeding the process of capturing, enriching, and sharing information.

FactoryFix

Seed Round in 2018
FactoryFix is a platform based in Chicago, Illinois, that connects manufacturing companies with a network of qualified skilled workers, including engineers, machinists, and maintenance technicians. Founded in 2015, FactoryFix offers a managed marketplace that streamlines the hiring process for full-time and part-time positions, as well as contract and temporary roles. The platform not only provides access to vetted labor resources but also includes tools for generating job listings, vetting candidates, and offering salary insights. By facilitating connections between manufacturers and skilled labor, FactoryFix enhances the efficiency of workforce management in the manufacturing sector.

Dispatch

Series A in 2018
Dispatch is a technology that enables businesses to order a courier directly from the driver - bypassing traditional expenses that minimize company profits and reduce driver pay. The company targets companies that need to deliver products like auto parts, construction materials, paint, and HVAC components to customer sites. Dispatch’s tech lets suppliers orchestrate deliveries without owning a fleet of vehicles or employing drivers. It was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota.

ZAPinfo

Seed Round in 2018
ZAPinfo is an information automation and productivity tool that facilitates the recruiting and sales process by integrating contacts into the browser clipboard and helps finding direct contact information such as email address, resume, social profile information, allowing customers such as sales professionals to automate their daily tasks by simplifying and speeding the process of capturing, enriching, and sharing information.

Dispatch

Seed Round in 2018
Dispatch is a technology that enables businesses to order a courier directly from the driver - bypassing traditional expenses that minimize company profits and reduce driver pay. The company targets companies that need to deliver products like auto parts, construction materials, paint, and HVAC components to customer sites. Dispatch’s tech lets suppliers orchestrate deliveries without owning a fleet of vehicles or employing drivers. It was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota.

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.

TeamGenius

Pre Seed Round in 2018
TeamGenius, LLC, founded in 2015 and based in Wyoming, Minnesota, specializes in player evaluation for youth sports organizations. The company offers a cloud-based platform that modernizes the way sports clubs and leagues conduct tryouts, camps, and player development programs. By replacing traditional paper and spreadsheet methods, TeamGenius provides a more efficient solution that saves coaches and administrators significant time, reduces errors and biases, and enhances team formation processes. This innovative approach not only streamlines player evaluations but also supports ongoing player development and feedback, giving organizations a competitive edge in managing their athletic programs.

PrintWithMe

Seed Round in 2017
PrintWithMe is printing made simple. PrintWithMe is the first network of wireless printer kiosks in the United States, with printers in convenient locations like multifamily apartments, coffee shops, co-working spaces and more. Operating in 47 states, PrintWithMe makes it simple for anyone to print securely and reliably from any digital device, in just a few clicks. Predictive analytics also makes the printer amenity simple for businesses, as all paper and toner management is automated. Since 2014, over 5 million pages have been printed on eco-sustainable PrintWithMe paper. By encouraging shared community resources, every community with a PrintWithMe printer saves an average of 550 lbs of individual electronic waste per year.