Heartland Ventures

Heartland Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Columbus, Ohio, established in 2016. The firm focuses on connecting large Middle America companies with emerging technologies from the coasts, emphasizing sectors such as construction technology, manufacturing technology, agriculture technology, logistics technology, and human resource and staffing technology. Heartland Ventures aims to facilitate early adoption of innovative solutions by corporations while enabling startups to engage with key corporate decision-makers. Since its inception, the firm has invested in seven portfolio companies and has facilitated over 114 connections between startups and Heartland corporations, generating more than $65 million in pipeline revenue for its portfolio. The firm typically invests in seed to Series A rounds, with check sizes ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.

Mark Accomando

Partner

Max Brickman

Managing Director

Mary Kenney

Associate

Ryan Leeper

Associate

Conor McGuinness

Partner, Community Team

Spencer Singer

Senior Associate, Investments

Austin Westerfeld

Associate

Tom Williams

Principal, Community Team

25 past transactions

GenLogs

Series A in 2025
GenLogs is a freight intelligence company that offers truck carrier mapping services via AI-driven roadside sensors.

Soil Connect

Venture Round in 2025
Soil Connect operates a digital marketplace designed for construction professionals involved in the handling of soil and aggregates. The platform facilitates connections between individuals and companies that possess soil or aggregates and those in need of these materials. By addressing the costs and inefficiencies associated with the transport and management of soil and aggregates, Soil Connect streamlines operations for excavators, contractors, developers, landscapers, and other building firms. This service enables clients to network and conduct transactions more efficiently, ultimately saving time and reducing expenses.

Endeavor

Seed Round in 2024
Endeavor is an AI platform that can automate many parts of business, including sales, production, and supply chain. Its objective is to reinvigorate American manufacturing and safeguard essential supply chains.

Pear Commerce

Series A in 2024
Pear Commerce, Inc., operating as Pear, is a Minneapolis-based company that offers a retail e-commerce platform designed to connect consumer packaged goods (CPG) advertisements with retailers across the United States. Founded in 2018, Pear facilitates retail marketing by enabling consumers to purchase products or claim offers directly from advertisements. The platform integrates seamlessly into existing CPG digital ads and websites, introducing a call to action that directs consumers to local retailers for transaction fulfillment. Additionally, Pear collects valuable consumer data, providing brands with insights into purchasing behavior, which helps enhance marketing effectiveness and drive sales. By bridging the gap between CPGs and retailers, Pear simplifies the shopping experience and empowers brands to optimize their performance marketing strategies.

FIRMUS

Venture Round in 2024
Firmus develops an artificial intelligence-based software solution tailored for the construction industry, focusing on the identification and prevention of design errors. The software analyzes construction models and rationalizes issues derived from numerous reports, presenting prioritized feedback based on cost and complexity. This enables construction companies to learn from past mistakes, reduce risk, and optimize their methods. Additionally, Firmus provides an intelligent issue tracking interface that facilitates effective communication among team members and seamlessly integrates with existing workflows, enhancing overall project coordination and efficiency.

Parspec

Seed Round in 2024
Parspec is a technology company that employs artificial intelligence to enhance the supply chain for the building and construction industry. Its platform offers valuable information and online workflows aimed at facilitating the selection and sale of construction products. By leveraging AI, Parspec enables the instant creation of submittals, allowing sales agents and distributors to efficiently author and manage product submittals online. This streamlined process reduces complexity and improves overall efficiency in the construction supply chain.

ProjectMark

Seed Round in 2023
ProjectMark is a digital platform tailored for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, focusing on enhancing content management and visibility for firms. By providing a comprehensive content management system, ProjectMark enables construction companies to streamline their proposal workflows and effectively manage their online content. The platform facilitates smart content creation and digital content capture, allowing users to easily search and reuse information to populate databases. Additionally, ProjectMark's customer relationship management (CRM) features support the development of interactive qualification reports, organizational charts, and digital resumes, helping organizations showcase their projects and engage clients more effectively. This innovative approach positions ProjectMark as a valuable resource for AEC professionals seeking to attract talent and enhance their market presence.

Enaia

Seed Round in 2023
Enaia is a company focused on transforming the commercial real estate (CRE) brokerage and services industry through its advanced CRM and insights platform. This platform is specifically designed to enhance how CRE brokers collaborate, access information, and manage their operations. Enaia streamlines essential processes such as deal management, prospecting, and team communication, enabling brokers to work efficiently and securely. The platform facilitates strategic planning and safe collaboration among brokers while ensuring secure data storage. By providing tools that reflect the dynamic nature of the brokerage environment, Enaia allows brokers to effectively organize and manage their prospecting data and deal flow, ultimately elevating the standards within the commercial real estate sector.

Fulfilld

Venture Round in 2022
Fulfilld is a provider of AI-powered warehouse management software that enhances productivity and efficiency in warehousing operations. The platform utilizes advanced analytics and machine learning to optimize the flow of products, personnel, and automation from the moment goods arrive until they are dispatched for delivery. By integrating seamlessly with enterprise resource planning systems, Fulfilld supports features such as order-based and advanced wave-picking, while also offering insights into physical layouts, stock patterns, and asset utilization. Additionally, the software tracks employee biometrics, providing valuable data processing capabilities and customizable alerts to improve overall operational performance.

Claira

Seed Round in 2022
Claira is an AI-powered competency analytics engine that assists organizations in understanding their talent and improving their hiring processes. Founded in 2020 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Claira offers a platform that leverages a comprehensive dataset of competencies to provide insights into the current workforce, identify gaps, and analyze trends and future needs. This enables businesses to dynamically match resources and make informed decisions about their talent management strategies.

ProjectMark

Pre Seed Round in 2022
ProjectMark is a digital platform tailored for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, focusing on enhancing content management and visibility for firms. By providing a comprehensive content management system, ProjectMark enables construction companies to streamline their proposal workflows and effectively manage their online content. The platform facilitates smart content creation and digital content capture, allowing users to easily search and reuse information to populate databases. Additionally, ProjectMark's customer relationship management (CRM) features support the development of interactive qualification reports, organizational charts, and digital resumes, helping organizations showcase their projects and engage clients more effectively. This innovative approach positions ProjectMark as a valuable resource for AEC professionals seeking to attract talent and enhance their market presence.

Soil Connect

Venture Round in 2021
Soil Connect operates a digital marketplace designed for construction professionals involved in the handling of soil and aggregates. The platform facilitates connections between individuals and companies that possess soil or aggregates and those in need of these materials. By addressing the costs and inefficiencies associated with the transport and management of soil and aggregates, Soil Connect streamlines operations for excavators, contractors, developers, landscapers, and other building firms. This service enables clients to network and conduct transactions more efficiently, ultimately saving time and reducing expenses.

Fulfilld

Seed Round in 2021
Fulfilld is a provider of AI-powered warehouse management software that enhances productivity and efficiency in warehousing operations. The platform utilizes advanced analytics and machine learning to optimize the flow of products, personnel, and automation from the moment goods arrive until they are dispatched for delivery. By integrating seamlessly with enterprise resource planning systems, Fulfilld supports features such as order-based and advanced wave-picking, while also offering insights into physical layouts, stock patterns, and asset utilization. Additionally, the software tracks employee biometrics, providing valuable data processing capabilities and customizable alerts to improve overall operational performance.

Soil Connect

Venture Round in 2020
Soil Connect operates a digital marketplace designed for construction professionals involved in the handling of soil and aggregates. The platform facilitates connections between individuals and companies that possess soil or aggregates and those in need of these materials. By addressing the costs and inefficiencies associated with the transport and management of soil and aggregates, Soil Connect streamlines operations for excavators, contractors, developers, landscapers, and other building firms. This service enables clients to network and conduct transactions more efficiently, ultimately saving time and reducing expenses.

Kea

Series A in 2020
Kea LLC is a company based in the United States that specializes in automated ordering software for restaurants. Its primary product, kea Voice, leverages voice artificial intelligence to efficiently handle phone orders, allowing restaurants to manage an unlimited number of inbound calls without the need for rollover lines or long wait times. This technology empowers restaurants to streamline their operations, reallocate labor resources, and focus on food preparation rather than order management. Since its establishment in 2018, kea has rapidly grown and aims to transform the way restaurants interact with customers, ultimately enhancing their operational efficiency and customer relationships. The company has transitioned to a fully remote working environment, further adapting to modern business practices.

Third Wave Automation

Series A in 2020
Third Wave Automation, Inc. specializes in developing autonomous forklift technology that leverages machine learning and computer vision to enhance material handling. Founded in 2018 and based in Union City, California, the company has created a Shared Autonomy Platform that allows forklifts to perform intricate tasks under the supervision of human operators, who can intervene as necessary. This approach improves safety and operational efficiency within warehouses and supply chains. By integrating advanced robotics and deep learning, Third Wave Automation's solutions facilitate precise automated movement of materials and adapt to varying warehouse configurations and demands, thereby enhancing overall throughput and effectiveness in logistics operations.

Soil Connect

Seed Round in 2020
Soil Connect operates a digital marketplace designed for construction professionals involved in the handling of soil and aggregates. The platform facilitates connections between individuals and companies that possess soil or aggregates and those in need of these materials. By addressing the costs and inefficiencies associated with the transport and management of soil and aggregates, Soil Connect streamlines operations for excavators, contractors, developers, landscapers, and other building firms. This service enables clients to network and conduct transactions more efficiently, ultimately saving time and reducing expenses.

Workstream

Series A in 2020
Workstream is a prominent HR, Payroll, and Hiring platform specifically designed for the hourly workforce. It focuses on automating human resource processes, allowing franchise and business owners to efficiently manage hiring, retention, and payroll in a centralized system. Utilizing advanced technology, including workflow automation, analytics, and SMS communication, Workstream simplifies operations and reduces labor costs. The platform is trusted by 46 of the top 50 quick-service restaurant brands, such as Burger King, Jimmy John’s, and Taco Bell, to enhance their hiring practices and streamline HR tasks effectively.

Kea

Seed Round in 2019
Kea LLC is a company based in the United States that specializes in automated ordering software for restaurants. Its primary product, kea Voice, leverages voice artificial intelligence to efficiently handle phone orders, allowing restaurants to manage an unlimited number of inbound calls without the need for rollover lines or long wait times. This technology empowers restaurants to streamline their operations, reallocate labor resources, and focus on food preparation rather than order management. Since its establishment in 2018, kea has rapidly grown and aims to transform the way restaurants interact with customers, ultimately enhancing their operational efficiency and customer relationships. The company has transitioned to a fully remote working environment, further adapting to modern business practices.

Grabango

Series A in 2019
Grabango is a technology company that specializes in checkout-free shopping solutions for the retail industry. Founded in 2016 and based in Berkeley, California, Grabango develops a system that utilizes computer vision and machine learning to enhance the shopping experience in existing grocery and convenience stores. By employing cameras and shelf sensors, the technology identifies items as customers pick them up and adds them to a virtual basket. After selecting their items, shoppers can simply scan a code in the Grabango app to pay via their registered payment method and exit the store without waiting in line. This innovative approach aims to streamline the shopping process, making it faster and more convenient for customers, while also ensuring privacy through anonymized data handling. Grabango partners with large-scale retailers to retrofit their stores, eliminating traditional checkout lines and setting a new standard in retail shopping.

Workstream

Seed Round in 2018
Workstream is a prominent HR, Payroll, and Hiring platform specifically designed for the hourly workforce. It focuses on automating human resource processes, allowing franchise and business owners to efficiently manage hiring, retention, and payroll in a centralized system. Utilizing advanced technology, including workflow automation, analytics, and SMS communication, Workstream simplifies operations and reduces labor costs. The platform is trusted by 46 of the top 50 quick-service restaurant brands, such as Burger King, Jimmy John’s, and Taco Bell, to enhance their hiring practices and streamline HR tasks effectively.

SPIDR Tech

Venture Round in 2018
SPIDR Tech, Inc. provides data-driven applications tailored for law enforcement agencies, enhancing their operational efficiency and community engagement. Founded in 2015 and based in Manhattan Beach, California, the company offers a comprehensive platform that allows agencies to effectively manage customer relationships and automate communication. This includes features such as an automated messaging system for crime victims, enabling timely updates on investigations, and tools for tracking officer productivity and community interactions. Additionally, SPIDR Tech's mobile application facilitates the attachment of photos and videos to reports, while integrating data from traffic incidents and other relevant factors to optimize law enforcement strategies. By leveraging predictive analytics and virtual assistance, SPIDR Tech supports law enforcement in improving public perception and achieving significant cost savings.

StrongArm Tech

Series A in 2017
StrongArm Technologies, Inc. is a safety science company that specializes in developing data collection and assessment solutions aimed at enhancing the safety of industrial workers. The company offers a risk monitoring device that utilizes machine learning to analyze risks related to musculoskeletal injuries, along with the FUSE Risk Management Platform, a cloud-based IoT-enabled software that leverages motion-interpreting sensors for real-time monitoring and assessment. Additionally, StrongArm provides a posture feedback system designed to assist industrial workers with proper lifting mechanics and postural support. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, StrongArm Technologies focuses on improving workplace safety through innovative technology.

botique.ai

Convertible Note in 2017
Botique.ai Inc. specializes in developing an AI-powered conversational process automation platform aimed at enhancing customer interactions in contact centers. Founded in 2017 and based in Newark, New Jersey, the company offers a solution that automates chat interactions, alleviates workload on human agents, and increases overall availability. The platform utilizes advanced Conversational Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing algorithms, enabling it to effectively simulate human-like interactions. This technology seamlessly integrates into existing service workflows, requiring minimal training and resource commitment from companies. Botique.ai has already demonstrated its effectiveness in large commercial enterprises, where it has successfully reduced personnel costs without compromising the quality of customer interactions. The company currently serves five paying enterprises, achieving an annual recurring revenue of $100,000.

Mimir

Debt Financing in 2016
Mimir Corporation, founded in 2014 and based in Indianapolis, Indiana, offers the Mimir Platform, a cloud-based solution designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience in computer science education. The platform, utilized by over 70 universities, enables instructors to efficiently manage courses of any size while maintaining high educational standards. Mimir Classroom streamlines grading processes, allowing for immediate feedback, and supports more than 40 programming languages. It also features tools to monitor student progress and identify areas where comprehension may be lacking. Additionally, Mimir’s configurable plagiarism detection system addresses academic integrity concerns by deterring cheating. Schools implementing Mimir have reported an average 11% increase in final exam scores, with a significant majority of students expressing a desire for the platform to be used across all their computer science classes. Mimir operates as a subsidiary of HackerRank.
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