M25

M25 is a Chicago-based venture capital firm established in 2015, focusing on early-stage investments in technology startups primarily located in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. The firm has built a diverse portfolio by investing in over 90 startups across various sectors, including healthcare technology, information technology, financial services, and consumer products. M25's analytical and collaborative approach enables it to play a significant role within the Midwest startup ecosystem, fostering innovation and supporting the growth of emerging companies. The firm is led by Victor Gutwein and Mike Asem and seeks to identify promising investment opportunities that align with its objective of driving economic growth in the region.

Mike Asem

Partner

Katie Birge

Associate & Head of Platform

Victor Gutwein

Managing Partner

Abhinaya Konduru

Senior Associate

Past deals in Minneapolis

Pear Commerce

Seed Round in 2021
Pear simplifies retail marketing by connecting CPG advertisements directly with retailers. Pear brings your digital marketing to life by adding a call to action. Consumers can purchase a product or claim an offer right from the ad, and Pear takes care of creating the connection to a local retailer who can fulfill the transaction. Pear collects your consumer’s information, so you’ll know your customers and their purchasing behavior better, while driving more sales for your products.

Upsie

Series A in 2019
Upsie Technology Inc. specializes in providing a mobile application that simplifies the process of purchasing extended warranties for consumer electronics and appliances. Founded in 2015 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the app allows users to buy warranties for a wide range of products, including TVs, laptops, headphones, home appliances, and cameras. Upsie offers competitive pricing without the high markups typically associated with warranty sales, presenting all coverage options transparently within the app. Users can easily manage their warranties, initiate claims, and even scan barcodes while shopping to view available options for specific items. The app also features a function for photographing and storing receipts, enhancing the user experience by keeping all warranty information organized and accessible.

Get Bizzy

Seed Round in 2018
Alex and Andrew started Bizzy with one goal in mind, to create the highest quality and most convenient products on the market.Their passion for cold brew coffee started years ago after graduating from college. At the time, both had corporate jobs, were training for a 24-hour obstacle race, and were running a group fitness company. Because of their busy schedules and drive to succeed, sleep became less important to them. In order to be their best, they needed something that could give them a quick jolt of energy. At first, they would drink anything that would keep them awake. As former college students, they started with what they knew - energy drinks. They quickly found that this was an extremely unhealthy option and one that would leave them with a hard crash once the sugar wore off. As they looked further into what was actually in these products they were disgusted at the amount of sugar and synthetic ingredients they were consuming. So, like any corporate employee would do, they turned to their trusty friend, coffee. Every morning they would wake up 15 minutes early just to brew a pot of drip coffee, but just like everything else they tried, it had several drawbacks. The coffee took way too long to brew, produced a terrible tasting product, and wasn't convenient to take with them. Three things that in their mind were unacceptable. In the summer of 2012 they stumbled upon cold brew coffee. It fulfilled all of their requirements for the perfect source of energy, it was natural, sugar-free, and simple, but there was one very significant drawback, it wasn't at all convenient. To make it on their own took them 24 hours and if they wanted to buy it they had to wait in-line at a coffee shop. Over the next several years their love for cold brew grew, and so did their frustration with its lack of convenience and availability. They spent the next 2-years researching a way to create the highest quality product, in the most convenient way, and in 2015 they launched Bizzy - the healthiest and most convenient coffee on the market.

Upsie

Seed Round in 2018
Upsie Technology Inc. specializes in providing a mobile application that simplifies the process of purchasing extended warranties for consumer electronics and appliances. Founded in 2015 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the app allows users to buy warranties for a wide range of products, including TVs, laptops, headphones, home appliances, and cameras. Upsie offers competitive pricing without the high markups typically associated with warranty sales, presenting all coverage options transparently within the app. Users can easily manage their warranties, initiate claims, and even scan barcodes while shopping to view available options for specific items. The app also features a function for photographing and storing receipts, enhancing the user experience by keeping all warranty information organized and accessible.

Get Bizzy

Seed Round in 2017
Alex and Andrew started Bizzy with one goal in mind, to create the highest quality and most convenient products on the market.Their passion for cold brew coffee started years ago after graduating from college. At the time, both had corporate jobs, were training for a 24-hour obstacle race, and were running a group fitness company. Because of their busy schedules and drive to succeed, sleep became less important to them. In order to be their best, they needed something that could give them a quick jolt of energy. At first, they would drink anything that would keep them awake. As former college students, they started with what they knew - energy drinks. They quickly found that this was an extremely unhealthy option and one that would leave them with a hard crash once the sugar wore off. As they looked further into what was actually in these products they were disgusted at the amount of sugar and synthetic ingredients they were consuming. So, like any corporate employee would do, they turned to their trusty friend, coffee. Every morning they would wake up 15 minutes early just to brew a pot of drip coffee, but just like everything else they tried, it had several drawbacks. The coffee took way too long to brew, produced a terrible tasting product, and wasn't convenient to take with them. Three things that in their mind were unacceptable. In the summer of 2012 they stumbled upon cold brew coffee. It fulfilled all of their requirements for the perfect source of energy, it was natural, sugar-free, and simple, but there was one very significant drawback, it wasn't at all convenient. To make it on their own took them 24 hours and if they wanted to buy it they had to wait in-line at a coffee shop. Over the next several years their love for cold brew grew, and so did their frustration with its lack of convenience and availability. They spent the next 2-years researching a way to create the highest quality product, in the most convenient way, and in 2015 they launched Bizzy - the healthiest and most convenient coffee on the market.

Geneticure

Seed Round in 2017
Geneticure Inc. is a pharmacogenetic testing company focused on developing personalized medicine solutions for patients with hypertension. Founded in 2012 and based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, the company offers a non-invasive genetic test that analyzes DNA from a cheek swab to identify genetic variants related to the renal, vascular, and cardiac systems. This information helps clinicians determine the most effective treatment options tailored to individual patients based on their unique genetic profiles. Geneticure's testing process includes DNA extraction, genotyping, and the provision of genetic results directly to healthcare providers, accompanied by a decision tree that prioritizes functional genes. This personalized approach aims to optimize blood pressure therapy and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, Geneticure is working on two more pharmacogenomic panels to expand its offerings in personalized medicine.