Highway 12 Ventures

Highway 12 Ventures is a Boise-based private equity firm established in 2001, specializing in early-stage investments across the United States. The firm focuses on supporting passionate entrepreneurs who are deeply committed to their ideas and principles. Highway 12 Ventures seeks individuals who demonstrate resilience and innovation, unafraid to tackle challenges and explore new opportunities. By investing in people rather than companies, the firm aims to empower those who are driven to carve out unique paths in their respective industries, particularly in sectors such as software and technology, media, and telecommunications.

Gerard H. Langeler

Former Member of Advisory Board

Phil Reed

General Partner

44 past transactions

Lendio

Series C in 2015
Lendio, Inc. operates an online lending marketplace that connects small business owners with various lenders across the United States. Founded in 2005 and based in Lehi, Utah, Lendio provides a platform that allows business owners to compare and secure a range of financing options, including short-term and long-term loans, business lines of credit, startup loans, equipment financing, and merchant cash advances. The platform caters to diverse funding needs, supporting various types of businesses, including those owned by women. Lendio aims to simplify the lending process for small businesses by facilitating access to financial resources necessary for growth and development. The company was previously known as Funding Universe, Inc. before rebranding to Lendio in February 2011.

Sphero

Series D in 2014
Sphero bridges the gap between the real world and the virtual world with its smartphone-controlled robots. It began the connected play revolution in 2010 by creating something unlike anything and they never stopped. They fuse robotic and digital technology into immersive entertainment experiences that ignite imagination and defy expectations. Optimized by data and powered by fun, these ever-evolving experiences are changing the way the world thinks about play.

GutCheck

Series C in 2014
GutCheck is a marketing research company based in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2009. It specializes in online market research and provides on-demand consumer insights through a qualitative platform. The company facilitates one-on-one online interviews, enabling businesses and organizations to connect with their target audiences effectively. GutCheck aims to innovate the market research process by offering real-time, affordable solutions tailored to meet the needs of its clients.

Lendio

Series B in 2013
Lendio, Inc. operates an online lending marketplace that connects small business owners with various lenders across the United States. Founded in 2005 and based in Lehi, Utah, Lendio provides a platform that allows business owners to compare and secure a range of financing options, including short-term and long-term loans, business lines of credit, startup loans, equipment financing, and merchant cash advances. The platform caters to diverse funding needs, supporting various types of businesses, including those owned by women. Lendio aims to simplify the lending process for small businesses by facilitating access to financial resources necessary for growth and development. The company was previously known as Funding Universe, Inc. before rebranding to Lendio in February 2011.

GutCheck

Series B in 2013
GutCheck is a marketing research company based in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2009. It specializes in online market research and provides on-demand consumer insights through a qualitative platform. The company facilitates one-on-one online interviews, enabling businesses and organizations to connect with their target audiences effectively. GutCheck aims to innovate the market research process by offering real-time, affordable solutions tailored to meet the needs of its clients.

Sphero

Series C in 2012
Sphero bridges the gap between the real world and the virtual world with its smartphone-controlled robots. It began the connected play revolution in 2010 by creating something unlike anything and they never stopped. They fuse robotic and digital technology into immersive entertainment experiences that ignite imagination and defy expectations. Optimized by data and powered by fun, these ever-evolving experiences are changing the way the world thinks about play.

SendGrid

Series B in 2012
SendGrid, Inc. is a cloud-based digital communication platform that enables businesses to effectively reach their customers through email. Founded in 2009 and based in Denver, Colorado, SendGrid provides various tools for developers and marketers, including an email application programming interface (API) that integrates email functionality into applications and services for managing marketing campaigns. These services allow users to upload customer contact lists, create and test email templates, and analyze campaign performance to enhance customer engagement. The platform is recognized for its strong email deliverability, successfully delivering over 30 billion emails monthly for a range of clients, from tech companies to traditional enterprises.

Kapost

Seed Round in 2012
Kapost is the leading provider of Content Marketing software that enables companies to manage their content marketing as a structured business process. Through its platform that manages the ideation, production, distribution, audience development and analytics of content marketing, Kapost empowers marketers to generate more content, more traffic and more leads. Kapost customers include brands like Eloqua, Marketo, AT&T, Intel and more. Kapost also produces The Content Marketeer, a blog providing content and education for marketers.

Balihoo

Venture Round in 2012
Balihoo, Inc. specializes in providing automated marketing software solutions tailored for hyper-local campaigns, primarily aimed at national brands and their agencies. The company offers a suite of tools designed to enhance local marketing efforts, including Local Websites for generating leads through optimized web presence, Local Paid Search to attract local customers, and Local Email for targeted communication. Additionally, Balihoo provides Local Direct Mail for event-based outreach, social media solutions for localized content, and an Ad Builder for distributing messages across various media platforms. The Co-op feature facilitates financial transactions among national brands, local affiliates, and media outlets. Founded in 2004 and based in Boise, Idaho, with an office in Chicago, Balihoo streamlines local marketing execution, allowing brands to efficiently connect with their audience while minimizing administrative burdens.

Purch

Series B in 2011
Purch, Inc. is a digital content and services company that simplifies complex buying decisions for consumers and businesses. Operating a portfolio of digital brands, Purch integrates commerce and content across various product categories, enabling informed purchasing choices before, during, and after transactions. The company facilitates more than $1 billion annually in commerce through its technology-driven marketplace, which includes well-known brands such as Tom’s Guide, Top Ten Reviews, ShopSavvy, and Business.com. With a focus on providing relevant information through expert reviews, comparisons, and community insights, Purch attracts over 100 million users each month, positioning itself as a leading source for buying advice across more than 1,200 product categories. Established in 2003 and originally named TechMediaNetwork, Inc., Purch operates from multiple locations, including Ogden, Utah, and Paris, France.

OpenLogic

Venture Round in 2011
OpenLogic helps enterprises maximize these benefits and safely use open source software by providing support, governance, provisioning, consulting, and training solutions.

Alliance Health Networks

Venture Round in 2011
Founded in 2002, Alliance Health is building the leading performance-driven healthcare marketing platform. Their network, brands, and technologies are designed to deliver two critical objectives: greater value to the healthcare consumer and greater efficiency to the healthcare marketer. They specialize in engaging consumers online by diseases, conditions, and other important healthcare segments. By delivering valuable healthcare information about the right products and services at the right time, Alliance Health helps consumers save time and money—and ultimately make better healthcare choices. They believe that helping consumers get better care at a lower cost is essential to improving the healthcare system in this country.

Cradlepoint

Venture Round in 2011
Cradlepoint offers a cloud-based network solution to connect people, places, and things over wired and wireless broadband. Cradlepoint NetCloud is a software and services platform that extends the company’s 4G LTE-enabled multi-function routers and ruggedized M2M/IoT gateways with cloud-based management and software-defined network services. With Cradlepoint, customers can leverage the speed and economics of wired and wireless Internet broadband for branch, failover, mobile, and IoT networks while maintaining end-to-end visibility, security, and control. More than 15,000 enterprise and government organizations around the world — including 75 percent of the world’s top retailers, 50 percent of the Fortune 100, and 25 of the largest U.S. cities — rely on Cradlepoint to keep critical sites, workforces, vehicles, and devices always connected and protected. Major service providers use Cradlepoint network solutions as the foundation for innovative managed service offerings. Founded in 2006, Cradlepoint is a privately held company headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with development centers in Silicon Valley and Kelowna, Canada, and offices in the UK, Australia, and Japan.

Sphero

Series B in 2011
Sphero bridges the gap between the real world and the virtual world with its smartphone-controlled robots. It began the connected play revolution in 2010 by creating something unlike anything and they never stopped. They fuse robotic and digital technology into immersive entertainment experiences that ignite imagination and defy expectations. Optimized by data and powered by fun, these ever-evolving experiences are changing the way the world thinks about play.

Lendio

Series A in 2011
Lendio, Inc. operates an online lending marketplace that connects small business owners with various lenders across the United States. Founded in 2005 and based in Lehi, Utah, Lendio provides a platform that allows business owners to compare and secure a range of financing options, including short-term and long-term loans, business lines of credit, startup loans, equipment financing, and merchant cash advances. The platform caters to diverse funding needs, supporting various types of businesses, including those owned by women. Lendio aims to simplify the lending process for small businesses by facilitating access to financial resources necessary for growth and development. The company was previously known as Funding Universe, Inc. before rebranding to Lendio in February 2011.

GutCheck

Series A in 2010
GutCheck is a marketing research company based in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2009. It specializes in online market research and provides on-demand consumer insights through a qualitative platform. The company facilitates one-on-one online interviews, enabling businesses and organizations to connect with their target audiences effectively. GutCheck aims to innovate the market research process by offering real-time, affordable solutions tailored to meet the needs of its clients.

Kapost

Seed Round in 2010
Kapost is the leading provider of Content Marketing software that enables companies to manage their content marketing as a structured business process. Through its platform that manages the ideation, production, distribution, audience development and analytics of content marketing, Kapost empowers marketers to generate more content, more traffic and more leads. Kapost customers include brands like Eloqua, Marketo, AT&T, Intel and more. Kapost also produces The Content Marketeer, a blog providing content and education for marketers.

SendGrid

Series A in 2010
SendGrid, Inc. is a cloud-based digital communication platform that enables businesses to effectively reach their customers through email. Founded in 2009 and based in Denver, Colorado, SendGrid provides various tools for developers and marketers, including an email application programming interface (API) that integrates email functionality into applications and services for managing marketing campaigns. These services allow users to upload customer contact lists, create and test email templates, and analyze campaign performance to enhance customer engagement. The platform is recognized for its strong email deliverability, successfully delivering over 30 billion emails monthly for a range of clients, from tech companies to traditional enterprises.

Goomzee

Series A in 2010
Goomzee Corporation is a mobile marketing technology company based in Missoula, Montana, founded in 2003. The company specializes in connecting buyers and sellers of real estate properties through its innovative platform, which includes products like Realty Connect and Mobile Virtual Tours. These tools assist real estate professionals in acquiring leads and closing sales by enabling potential buyers to search for and view properties on their mobile devices, both at the site and remotely. Goomzee's technology also utilizes text messaging to deliver relevant product and service information to users, enhancing the marketing efforts for individuals and businesses alike. Over the years, Goomzee has evolved from offering hosted online storefronts to providing enterprise-grade solutions, leveraging its expertise in mobile technology and enterprise applications to deliver effective marketing strategies and a strong return on investment for its clients.

Purch

Series A in 2010
Purch, Inc. is a digital content and services company that simplifies complex buying decisions for consumers and businesses. Operating a portfolio of digital brands, Purch integrates commerce and content across various product categories, enabling informed purchasing choices before, during, and after transactions. The company facilitates more than $1 billion annually in commerce through its technology-driven marketplace, which includes well-known brands such as Tom’s Guide, Top Ten Reviews, ShopSavvy, and Business.com. With a focus on providing relevant information through expert reviews, comparisons, and community insights, Purch attracts over 100 million users each month, positioning itself as a leading source for buying advice across more than 1,200 product categories. Established in 2003 and originally named TechMediaNetwork, Inc., Purch operates from multiple locations, including Ogden, Utah, and Paris, France.

SendGrid

Series A in 2009
SendGrid, Inc. is a cloud-based digital communication platform that enables businesses to effectively reach their customers through email. Founded in 2009 and based in Denver, Colorado, SendGrid provides various tools for developers and marketers, including an email application programming interface (API) that integrates email functionality into applications and services for managing marketing campaigns. These services allow users to upload customer contact lists, create and test email templates, and analyze campaign performance to enhance customer engagement. The platform is recognized for its strong email deliverability, successfully delivering over 30 billion emails monthly for a range of clients, from tech companies to traditional enterprises.

Everlater

Series A in 2009
Everlater is a site in which users can record travel experiences, share them with friends and family, and discover new travel ideas from social network & other travelers like you. Users can upload stories, experiences, photos, and more directly to Everlater or the site can pull items in from external services such as Flickr. There is an iPhone app that enables offline recording of travel experiences which can be synchronized and shared later. Each user and trip has a unique URL for easy sharing with friends and family on [Facebook](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/facebook), [Twitter](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/), and other social networks. Everlater was a [TechStars 2009](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/techstars) company.

Gizmoz

Series C in 2009
Gizmoz has developed proprietary patented 3D and animation technology to let users express themselves by creating realistic 3D characters made from a single face photo. Gizmoz is the leader in 3D face-mapping technology, face manipulation and automatic face detection with several patents and pending patents in this field. Gizmoz provides a central service to design, manage and transport digital avatars that can be deployed in virtual worlds, online games, PC and console 3D games, social networks, video clips, greeting cards, mobile apps, as well as professional modeling and animation tools.

Vico Software

Series B in 2009
Vico Software, provides software and services to the building construction industry in Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. The company offers Vico Office Suite, a construction-oriented 5D BIM environment; Vico Office Client that publishes 3D models from BIM authoring tools, as well as enables the client to integrate and merge multiple models from various BIM sources; and Vico Takeoff Manager that generates the accurate model-and location-based quantity takeoffs derived from 3D models. It also provides Vico Cost Planner, a cost calculation, estimating, and value engineering module; Vico Cost Explorer, which provides constant and online feedback about the status of project budget; Vico Office Online Training Program, an e-learning platform that is designed to guide the client through the Vico Office Platform; and Vico Doc Set Manager that collates and compares drawing set pages with a mouse click. In addition, the company offers project services delivery, service packages, and implementation and consulting services. Its software solutions are used by building owners, general contractors, and construction managers. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Boulder, Colorado with additional offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Hungary.

Alliance Health Networks

Series C in 2009
Founded in 2002, Alliance Health is building the leading performance-driven healthcare marketing platform. Their network, brands, and technologies are designed to deliver two critical objectives: greater value to the healthcare consumer and greater efficiency to the healthcare marketer. They specialize in engaging consumers online by diseases, conditions, and other important healthcare segments. By delivering valuable healthcare information about the right products and services at the right time, Alliance Health helps consumers save time and money—and ultimately make better healthcare choices. They believe that helping consumers get better care at a lower cost is essential to improving the healthcare system in this country.

Balihoo

Series C in 2009
Balihoo, Inc. specializes in providing automated marketing software solutions tailored for hyper-local campaigns, primarily aimed at national brands and their agencies. The company offers a suite of tools designed to enhance local marketing efforts, including Local Websites for generating leads through optimized web presence, Local Paid Search to attract local customers, and Local Email for targeted communication. Additionally, Balihoo provides Local Direct Mail for event-based outreach, social media solutions for localized content, and an Ad Builder for distributing messages across various media platforms. The Co-op feature facilitates financial transactions among national brands, local affiliates, and media outlets. Founded in 2004 and based in Boise, Idaho, with an office in Chicago, Balihoo streamlines local marketing execution, allowing brands to efficiently connect with their audience while minimizing administrative burdens.

Rebit

Series B in 2008
Backup your PC and gain peace of mind with Rebit’s award-winning computer backup solution. Rebit software is used by hundreds of thousands of users and has built a reputation for providing innovative backup solutions. Our next-generation technology combines full-system protection locally with cloud backup in a single solution. Designed to be “Ridiculously Simple,” Rebit offers an easy-to-use interface for both cloud and local backup. The seamless integration of local and cloud backup, along with the ability to backup clients and servers with a single product, provides you with enterprise level backup capabilities without the need to manage a complex, expensive product.

TopTenREVIEWS

Series A in 2008
TopTenREVIEWS provides detailed product reviews, side-by-side comparisons, helpful buying guides, articles explaining how to get the most out of a product, and an easy way to get it.

Purch

Series A in 2008
Purch, Inc. is a digital content and services company that simplifies complex buying decisions for consumers and businesses. Operating a portfolio of digital brands, Purch integrates commerce and content across various product categories, enabling informed purchasing choices before, during, and after transactions. The company facilitates more than $1 billion annually in commerce through its technology-driven marketplace, which includes well-known brands such as Tom’s Guide, Top Ten Reviews, ShopSavvy, and Business.com. With a focus on providing relevant information through expert reviews, comparisons, and community insights, Purch attracts over 100 million users each month, positioning itself as a leading source for buying advice across more than 1,200 product categories. Established in 2003 and originally named TechMediaNetwork, Inc., Purch operates from multiple locations, including Ogden, Utah, and Paris, France.

Balihoo

Series B in 2008
Balihoo, Inc. specializes in providing automated marketing software solutions tailored for hyper-local campaigns, primarily aimed at national brands and their agencies. The company offers a suite of tools designed to enhance local marketing efforts, including Local Websites for generating leads through optimized web presence, Local Paid Search to attract local customers, and Local Email for targeted communication. Additionally, Balihoo provides Local Direct Mail for event-based outreach, social media solutions for localized content, and an Ad Builder for distributing messages across various media platforms. The Co-op feature facilitates financial transactions among national brands, local affiliates, and media outlets. Founded in 2004 and based in Boise, Idaho, with an office in Chicago, Balihoo streamlines local marketing execution, allowing brands to efficiently connect with their audience while minimizing administrative burdens.

Clinicient

Venture Round in 2007
Clinicient, Inc. is a technology company specializing in software solutions for outpatient rehabilitation clinics, primarily focusing on physical therapy. Founded in 1998 and based in Portland, Oregon, Clinicient offers a range of products including TotalInsight, which integrates cloud-based electronic medical records (EMR) with billing services and revenue cycle management. Additionally, PracticeInsight provides a unified system for EMR and billing, while InsightEMR is a customizable EMR tailored for therapy providers. The company also addresses Medicare requirements with services such as functional limitation reporting and claims management. Clinicient’s platform streamlines patient registration, scheduling, clinical documentation, and billing processes, enabling clinics to enhance revenue management and improve payment outcomes.

M2E Power

Series A in 2007
M2E Power is focused on the development of energy generation technology solutions and delivers clean technology power for mobile devices. Its technology solutions are used in military devices. M2E Power was acquired by Motionetics in July 2009. M2E Power was founded in 2006 and is based in Boise, Idaho.

Daz 3d

Series A in 2007
Daz Productions, Inc., doing business as Daz 3D, develops 3D models and 3D software solutions. The company provides 3D models and content for movies, video games, and comic books. It also sells its products online. The company was founded in 2000 and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

OpenLogic

Venture Round in 2006
OpenLogic helps enterprises maximize these benefits and safely use open source software by providing support, governance, provisioning, consulting, and training solutions.

Vigilos

Venture Round in 2006
Founded in March 2000 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Vigilos is an experienced company with proven technology, veteran industry leadership and strong growth. The Vigilos team is comprised of software designers and developers, technology executives and experts in physical security and operations. Vigilos is an independent company that has received approximately $18 million dollars in private investments, much of it from individual investors along with some portion in venture capital. Over the last five years, the company has amassed eight awarded patents and 26 patents pending on its technologies.

Carefx

Series B in 2005
Carefx's main solution "Fusionfx" helps close information gaps between hospital/IDN CIO and CMIO and healthcare IT departments. Fusionfx is able to help "synthesize disparate data into clinically relevant, user-centric workflows." The solution aims to connect the data points and make it comprehensive/understandable fo patients, payers, clinicians, and the compliance agencies who seek such information.

Carefx

Series B in 2005
Carefx's main solution "Fusionfx" helps close information gaps between hospital/IDN CIO and CMIO and healthcare IT departments. Fusionfx is able to help "synthesize disparate data into clinically relevant, user-centric workflows." The solution aims to connect the data points and make it comprehensive/understandable fo patients, payers, clinicians, and the compliance agencies who seek such information.

OpenLogic

Series A in 2005
OpenLogic helps enterprises maximize these benefits and safely use open source software by providing support, governance, provisioning, consulting, and training solutions.

Dedicated Devices

Series B in 2005
Dedicated Devices is a leading manufacturer of reliable whole home media systems. The company was founded in 2003 by former employees of Micron Electronics, Inc. and the company is headquartered in Boise, Idaho.

Dedicated Devices

Series A in 2004
Dedicated Devices is a leading manufacturer of reliable whole home media systems. The company was founded in 2003 by former employees of Micron Electronics, Inc. and the company is headquartered in Boise, Idaho.

Attensity

Series B in 2003
Attensity Europe GmbH, based in Saarbrücken, Germany, specializes in response management software tailored for customer interaction management. Originally a subsidiary of Attensity Group, Inc., the company has established itself as a leader in corporate insight solutions, particularly for Global 1000 companies. By leveraging advanced natural language processing and sentiment analysis, Attensity’s proprietary technologies enable businesses to extract relevant information from diverse multi-channel data sources. Their integrated solutions allow enterprises to effectively analyze both structured and unstructured data, enhancing the customer experience, managing brand equity, increasing revenue, mitigating risks, and informing strategic decisions. Attensity's focus on omni-channel customer communications positions it as a vital partner for organizations seeking to optimize their customer engagement strategies.

Carefx

Series A in 2003
Carefx's main solution "Fusionfx" helps close information gaps between hospital/IDN CIO and CMIO and healthcare IT departments. Fusionfx is able to help "synthesize disparate data into clinically relevant, user-centric workflows." The solution aims to connect the data points and make it comprehensive/understandable fo patients, payers, clinicians, and the compliance agencies who seek such information.

Vigilos

Series A in 2002
Founded in March 2000 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Vigilos is an experienced company with proven technology, veteran industry leadership and strong growth. The Vigilos team is comprised of software designers and developers, technology executives and experts in physical security and operations. Vigilos is an independent company that has received approximately $18 million dollars in private investments, much of it from individual investors along with some portion in venture capital. Over the last five years, the company has amassed eight awarded patents and 26 patents pending on its technologies.

Telemetric

Series A in 2002
Telemetric Corporation provides wireless communication and information solutions for the utility industry. The company offers a suite of communications hardware, network services, and software to deliver communication solutions. Telemetric Corporation was founded in 1999 and is based in Boise, Idaho. As of July 1, 2009, Telemetric Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Sensus Metering Systems (Bermuda 2) Ltd. As of June 30, 2009, Telemetric Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Sensus Metering Systems (Bermuda 2) Ltd.