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 Minnesota

Civic Eagle

Series A in 2022
Civic Eagle develops software that helps companies discover and analyze legislation and regulations with no manual work. Civic Eagle's platform searches, tracks, and works with legislations across the country and does the discovery work so that policy advocates can focus on winning campaigns, thereby enabling clients to promote better democratic outcomes for people and their communities. It was founded in 2015 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

itiliti Health

Seed Round in 2021
Itiliti Health is a health data access and decision automation company. The company's mission is to reduce the cost of care by enabling efficient, real-time collaboration between payers and providers that eliminates wasteful administrative expenses. The initial solutions address the need to modernize the processes and management of prior authorizations for payers. The result is improved patient care and a significant reduction in administrative costs.

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.

Joshin

Seed Round in 2020
Joshin, LLC is a company based in Shoreview, Minnesota, that develops a digital care platform designed to connect individuals with disabilities to qualified caregivers. Their primary offering is a disability care application that facilitates connections between families and a network of experienced and screened caregivers, including professionals from education and social work backgrounds, as well as students preparing for careers in these fields. The app allows users to create personalized care plans that detail the specific needs, goals, preferences, and dietary requirements of their loved ones, ensuring that families with special needs can find suitable and vetted support. This platform serves individuals of all ages and needs, aiming to enhance the quality of care and support for those with physical and mental challenges.

Civic Eagle

Seed Round in 2020
Civic Eagle develops software that helps companies discover and analyze legislation and regulations with no manual work. Civic Eagle's platform searches, tracks, and works with legislations across the country and does the discovery work so that policy advocates can focus on winning campaigns, thereby enabling clients to promote better democratic outcomes for people and their communities. It was founded in 2015 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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.

Local Crate

Seed Round in 2018
Local Crate is a food and beverage delivery service company.

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.