Level Up Ventures

Level Up Ventures, founded in 2021 and based in New York, is an early-stage investment firm that focuses on tech and tech-enabled startups led by Black and Latino founders. The company aims to empower these startups by providing not only financial support but also a comprehensive range of in-house resources designed to enhance their potential for success. By leveraging a diverse pool of expertise and insights, Level Up Ventures fosters innovation and helps teams navigate the challenges of building their businesses.

Carlton Charles

Chairman

Iyke Iwotor

Venture Analyst

Shashi Srikantan

Managing Director

17 past transactions

ClearCOGS

Seed Round in 2025
ClearCOGS is an AI-powered SaaS platform designed to help restaurants enhance their operations and profitability through data-driven insights. The company focuses on providing local restaurants with the technology needed to compete with larger chains by simplifying operations and improving decision-making. ClearCOGS primarily targets mid-market restaurant chains in the fast-casual and quick-service restaurant segments. Its key features include accurate forecasting of menu item and ingredient demand, detailed daily preparation reporting, and precise inventory management with ordering recommendations. The platform integrates with leading POS systems to offer a comprehensive view of restaurant operations, synthesizing data from various sources such as weather and events. By acting as a "fractional digital CFO/COO," ClearCOGS alleviates the burdens of statistical analysis and planning for restaurant operators. Utilizing AI and machine learning, ClearCOGS aims to significantly increase restaurant profits, potentially by an average of 40%, through improved forecasting and inventory management.

Otis

Seed Round in 2025
Otis connects pet owners with professionals for virtual pet health consultations and prescriptions.

SmartWiz

Seed Round in 2024
SmartWiz is an AI-enabled platform that streamlines the tax preparation process for small businesses and individuals. By connecting technology with tax professionals, SmartWiz offers a secure portal for clients to store their documents, ensuring safety and ease of access. The company's team of tax experts provides comprehensive services, including tax preparation, bookkeeping, and accounting, with a strong emphasis on integrity and professionalism. The use of advanced technology automates and simplifies complex tasks, allowing professionals to work more efficiently and effectively. This results in enhanced client support and a better overall financial experience for customers seeking assistance with their financial needs.

Sunthetics

Seed Round in 2024
Sunthetics specializes in the development of smart electrochemical reactors aimed at enhancing the efficiency of chemical manufacturing, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. The company's innovative hardware and machine-learning software significantly reduce the time and costs associated with process development, achieving results in one-tenth of the traditional timeframe. This technology not only minimizes energy consumption by 40% but also eliminates the use of toxic chemicals and waste, promoting sustainability. While the primary focus is on pharmaceuticals, Sunthetics' platform technology is adaptable and can be extended to other markets, including agrochemicals and specialty chemicals. By streamlining the development process and enabling the rapid creation of new electrochemical lead molecules, Sunthetics plays a pivotal role in advancing the electrification of the chemical industry.

LoanWell

Seed Round in 2024
LoanWell, LLC provides a customizable loan origination system designed to streamline the entire loan process, including application intake, underwriting, closing, disbursement, and repayment. Established in 2017 and located in Durham, North Carolina, LoanWell serves community development financial institutions (CDFIs) by automating lending processes to enhance efficiency and deliver affordable capital to individuals and small businesses. The platform allows for secure management of applicant information and required documentation, while offering automated communication to facilitate application completion. By focusing on equitable access to capital, LoanWell aims to support mission-driven lenders in fostering community growth and economic development.

SmartWiz

Pre Seed Round in 2024
SmartWiz is an AI-enabled platform that streamlines the tax preparation process for small businesses and individuals. By connecting technology with tax professionals, SmartWiz offers a secure portal for clients to store their documents, ensuring safety and ease of access. The company's team of tax experts provides comprehensive services, including tax preparation, bookkeeping, and accounting, with a strong emphasis on integrity and professionalism. The use of advanced technology automates and simplifies complex tasks, allowing professionals to work more efficiently and effectively. This results in enhanced client support and a better overall financial experience for customers seeking assistance with their financial needs.

EMTECH

Seed Round in 2023
EMTECH is a fintech company focused on modernizing central banks to enhance financial inclusion and market resilience. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in New York, EMTECH provides a cloud-based platform that facilitates the integration of regulatory compliance and central bank digital currencies. Their offerings include digital regulatory sandboxes for collaborative workflows, digital cash solutions, and tools for cross-border currency integration. By developing scalable and resilient digital infrastructure, EMTECH aims to support central banks in improving their operations and adapting to the demands of the Web3 era.

ConnectCareHero

Seed Round in 2023
ConnectCareHero operates a digital community platform aimed at enhancing social engagement among older adults. The platform focuses on managing activities and providing culturally relevant content to help organizations connect with seniors and promote a sense of community. By curating entertainment options and facilitating social interactions, ConnectCareHero addresses the issue of social isolation among senior citizens, supporting their overall health and well-being. The company's mission is to empower older adults to remain socially active, thereby improving their quality of life and health outcomes.

Pryze

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Pryze is an operating system designed specifically for deskless workers, aiming to boost productivity, employee retention, and overall workplace satisfaction. Developed by restaurant owners in response to challenges in employee engagement, Pryze leverages contemporary behavior trends and principles of positive psychology to motivate staff. The platform includes a mobile app that facilitates goal tracking, monitors phone usage during work hours, and features a customizable rewards program. By providing real-time analytics, Pryze enables businesses to tailor their engagement strategies, effectively incentivizing employees and enhancing company culture. This comprehensive approach not only fosters a more engaged workforce but also has a direct positive impact on a company's bottom line.

Encounter AI

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Encounter AI specializes in voice ordering technology aimed at automating the ordering process for restaurants. Its system operates at drive-thrus, kiosks, and over the phone, facilitating customer interactions without the need for human involvement. By utilizing a proprietary technology stack developed from research at SRI International, Encounter AI enhances operational efficiency and improves the overall customer experience. The technology allows customers to place orders, receive confirmations, and make payments seamlessly, thereby streamlining the ordering process for businesses and customers alike.

Sortile

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Sortile specializes in creating AI-driven data analytics solutions aimed at improving the textile recycling process. By utilizing near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and machine learning, Sortile's technology efficiently identifies fiber composition, enhancing the sorting of textiles for recycling. This innovation facilitates textile-to-textile recycling and promotes circular fashion, helping to divert textile waste from landfills. Sortile's products not only improve existing sorting infrastructure but also provide vital data analytics that illuminate the waste stream, thus supporting the fashion industry in adopting more sustainable practices.

Sunthetics

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Sunthetics specializes in the development of smart electrochemical reactors aimed at enhancing the efficiency of chemical manufacturing, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. The company's innovative hardware and machine-learning software significantly reduce the time and costs associated with process development, achieving results in one-tenth of the traditional timeframe. This technology not only minimizes energy consumption by 40% but also eliminates the use of toxic chemicals and waste, promoting sustainability. While the primary focus is on pharmaceuticals, Sunthetics' platform technology is adaptable and can be extended to other markets, including agrochemicals and specialty chemicals. By streamlining the development process and enabling the rapid creation of new electrochemical lead molecules, Sunthetics plays a pivotal role in advancing the electrification of the chemical industry.

EMTECH

Seed Round in 2022
EMTECH is a fintech company focused on modernizing central banks to enhance financial inclusion and market resilience. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in New York, EMTECH provides a cloud-based platform that facilitates the integration of regulatory compliance and central bank digital currencies. Their offerings include digital regulatory sandboxes for collaborative workflows, digital cash solutions, and tools for cross-border currency integration. By developing scalable and resilient digital infrastructure, EMTECH aims to support central banks in improving their operations and adapting to the demands of the Web3 era.

ShearShare

Seed Round in 2022
ShearShare, Inc., also known as HAIRbnb, is a mobile platform that connects salon and barbershop owners with licensed beauty professionals, allowing them to rent unused suites and booths on demand. Established in 2015 and based in McKinney, Texas, the company caters to a diverse clientele including cosmetologists, barbers, hairstylists, makeup artists, and various beauty specialists. ShearShare offers a comprehensive database of on-demand salon and barbershop space rentals, providing affordable leasing options and essential business tools to self-employed stylists. In addition to its rental services, the platform includes advertising options, further supporting beauty professionals in their pursuit of flexible working arrangements.

ByteChek

Seed Round in 2021
ByteChek is a Miami-based company founded in 2020 by AJ Yawn that focuses on enhancing cybersecurity programs for businesses. It offers a compliance platform tailored for organizations of all sizes, enabling them to effectively assess their cybersecurity posture. The platform includes tools such as an information security policy generator, risk manager, and system description generator, along with automated recommendations and real-time chat functionality. These features assist clients in establishing their security programs, automating readiness assessments, and completing audits, ultimately helping to build trust with customers and enhance sales.

Options MD

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Options MD is a telemedicine platform focused on delivering personalized care for individuals experiencing severe and treatment-resistant mental illnesses. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to match patients with innovative depression care options provided by psychiatric experts. By streamlining the referral process to in-house specialists, Options MD enables patients to access appropriate medical care more efficiently, aiming to improve their treatment outcomes.

Tensor9

Tensor9 is a data security company. Tensor9 helps software and AI vendors run their products inside their customer's cloud — so sensitive customer data stays private. For vendors, this unlocks customers that can't share sensitive data.
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