Next Frontier Capital

Next Frontier Capital, established in 2015 and headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, is a private equity and venture capital firm that partners with mission-driven entrepreneurs to build technology companies. It primarily invests in early-stage ventures in the technology, biotech, healthcare, and clean-tech sectors across the Mountain region of the United States. The firm manages multiple funds, including Next Frontier Venture Fund I and II, and has additional offices in Boulder, Missoula, and Salt Lake City.

Les Craig

General Partner

Richard Harjes

Founder and General Partner

Scott Holton

CFO

Franz Kofler

Partner

Garrett Leach

Analyst

Kirsten Suddath

General Partner

Erika Nash

Partner

Past deals in Montana

BioSqueeze

Series A in 2023
BioSqueeze is a company based in Butte, Montana, established in 2021, that specializes in biomineralization applications for the oil and gas industry. The company focuses on its proprietary technology to effectively prevent gas migration and reduce fugitive emissions. By penetrating and sealing micro-annuli, fissures, and cracks, BioSqueeze offers a cost-effective solution to address gas leaks that other technologies have failed to resolve.

Bridger Photonics

Venture Round in 2022
Bridger Photonics, Inc. is a manufacturer of laser-based sensors and radars, specializing in LiDAR solutions that enhance efficiency in industrial applications. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, the company offers a range of products including precision length metrology systems, imaging technologies, and Mid-IR lasers. Bridger Photonics focuses on providing advanced LiDAR capabilities, which are used to conduct 3D scans of oil and gas infrastructure. These scans are overlaid with sensitive gas concentration maps, allowing for the precise identification and quantification of leaks throughout the natural gas value chain. The company's technology significantly aids in reducing methane emissions and improving safety within the oil and gas industry.

Submittable

Series C in 2022
Submittable, Inc. is a cloud-based platform based in Missoula, Montana, with an additional office in New York. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in submission management, offering tools that allow organizations to curate and manage various forms of digital content, including applications, proposals, and multimedia submissions. Its primary product, Submittable, streamlines the processes of accepting, reviewing, and managing submissions for publishers, grant-makers, and creative organizations. The platform features customizable workflows, team collaboration tools, and robust analytics to facilitate efficient decision-making and enhance the management of grants, awards, and other intake processes. Additionally, Submittable supports integration with various systems, enabling users to optimize their workflows and gain valuable insights into their submissions and impact. The company also offers Talentd for job application management and Submishmash 2.0, a marketplace for creative content opportunities.

Quiq

Series C in 2022
Quiq, Inc. is a technology company based in Bozeman, Montana, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing customer service messaging management software that enhances communication between businesses and their customers. Quiq offers a cloud-based platform that allows consumers to interact with brands through various digital messaging channels, including SMS, web chat, and social messaging apps. The company's flagship product, Quiq IQ, enables the creation and deployment of AI-driven bots to assist customer service agents in managing inquiries efficiently. Quiq's solutions are designed to provide personalized and proactive customer support at scale, facilitating seamless transitions from AI to human agents. With a focus on customer experience and advanced automation capabilities, Quiq serves notable clients such as Volvo and IHG Hotels & Resorts, helping them implement effective AI strategies to improve customer engagement. In March 2017, the company rebranded from Centricient Inc. to its current name, Quiq, reflecting its commitment to innovative customer interaction solutions.

Quiq

Series B in 2019
Quiq, Inc. is a technology company based in Bozeman, Montana, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing customer service messaging management software that enhances communication between businesses and their customers. Quiq offers a cloud-based platform that allows consumers to interact with brands through various digital messaging channels, including SMS, web chat, and social messaging apps. The company's flagship product, Quiq IQ, enables the creation and deployment of AI-driven bots to assist customer service agents in managing inquiries efficiently. Quiq's solutions are designed to provide personalized and proactive customer support at scale, facilitating seamless transitions from AI to human agents. With a focus on customer experience and advanced automation capabilities, Quiq serves notable clients such as Volvo and IHG Hotels & Resorts, helping them implement effective AI strategies to improve customer engagement. In March 2017, the company rebranded from Centricient Inc. to its current name, Quiq, reflecting its commitment to innovative customer interaction solutions.

Submittable

Series B in 2019
Submittable, Inc. is a cloud-based platform based in Missoula, Montana, with an additional office in New York. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in submission management, offering tools that allow organizations to curate and manage various forms of digital content, including applications, proposals, and multimedia submissions. Its primary product, Submittable, streamlines the processes of accepting, reviewing, and managing submissions for publishers, grant-makers, and creative organizations. The platform features customizable workflows, team collaboration tools, and robust analytics to facilitate efficient decision-making and enhance the management of grants, awards, and other intake processes. Additionally, Submittable supports integration with various systems, enabling users to optimize their workflows and gain valuable insights into their submissions and impact. The company also offers Talentd for job application management and Submishmash 2.0, a marketplace for creative content opportunities.

Blackmore Sensors and Analytics

Series B in 2018
Blackmore Sensors and Analytics Inc., established in 2016 and based in Bozeman, Montana, specializes in frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar technology and associated analytic tools. The company focuses on measuring radial velocity for every data point, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of lidar imaging. As of May 2019, Blackmore operates as a subsidiary of Aurora Innovation, Inc., expanding its capabilities within the autonomous vehicle and sensor technology sectors.

onxMaps

Series A in 2018
onXmaps, Inc. is a Montana-based company that specializes in developing mapping applications for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly hunters. Founded in 2009 and located in Missoula, onXmaps offers products such as onX Hunt and onX Offroad, which provide detailed maps that include marked property boundaries, landowner names, and navigation capabilities, even in offline mode. The company aggregates extensive nationwide data on property ownership, trails, and permitted land use, enabling users to access customized information tailored to their outdoor activities. Its maps are compatible with a variety of devices, including Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, desktop computers, and Garmin GPS devices. Through continuous feedback from users, onXmaps has expanded its offerings to cater to a broader audience in the outdoor recreation sector.

Blackmore Sensors and Analytics

Series A in 2016
Blackmore Sensors and Analytics Inc., established in 2016 and based in Bozeman, Montana, specializes in frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar technology and associated analytic tools. The company focuses on measuring radial velocity for every data point, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of lidar imaging. As of May 2019, Blackmore operates as a subsidiary of Aurora Innovation, Inc., expanding its capabilities within the autonomous vehicle and sensor technology sectors.

Quiq

Series A in 2016
Quiq, Inc. is a technology company based in Bozeman, Montana, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing customer service messaging management software that enhances communication between businesses and their customers. Quiq offers a cloud-based platform that allows consumers to interact with brands through various digital messaging channels, including SMS, web chat, and social messaging apps. The company's flagship product, Quiq IQ, enables the creation and deployment of AI-driven bots to assist customer service agents in managing inquiries efficiently. Quiq's solutions are designed to provide personalized and proactive customer support at scale, facilitating seamless transitions from AI to human agents. With a focus on customer experience and advanced automation capabilities, Quiq serves notable clients such as Volvo and IHG Hotels & Resorts, helping them implement effective AI strategies to improve customer engagement. In March 2017, the company rebranded from Centricient Inc. to its current name, Quiq, reflecting its commitment to innovative customer interaction solutions.

CLEARAS Water Recovery

Series B in 2016
CLEARAS Water Recovery, Inc. specializes in biological-based water treatment technologies aimed at nutrient recovery from industrial water discharge and wastewater. Its primary offering, the Advanced Biological Nutrient Recovery System (ABNR), utilizes microbiology—specifically microalgae and other biological organisms—to effectively recover excess nitrogen, phosphorus, and other contaminants. This innovative system operates in a controlled, continuous flow environment, optimizing performance by managing retention time, nutrient load, and biological mass. The process is entirely renewable and results in a plant-based biomaterial co-product, which can be repurposed for various applications, including plastics, foams, animal feeds, and soil enhancements. CLEARAS serves both municipal and industrial point source dischargers and is headquartered in Missoula, Montana. The company, originally founded in 2008 as AlgEvolve Inc., rebranded to CLEARAS Water Recovery, Inc. in July 2013.

Submittable

Series A in 2015
Submittable, Inc. is a cloud-based platform based in Missoula, Montana, with an additional office in New York. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in submission management, offering tools that allow organizations to curate and manage various forms of digital content, including applications, proposals, and multimedia submissions. Its primary product, Submittable, streamlines the processes of accepting, reviewing, and managing submissions for publishers, grant-makers, and creative organizations. The platform features customizable workflows, team collaboration tools, and robust analytics to facilitate efficient decision-making and enhance the management of grants, awards, and other intake processes. Additionally, Submittable supports integration with various systems, enabling users to optimize their workflows and gain valuable insights into their submissions and impact. The company also offers Talentd for job application management and Submishmash 2.0, a marketplace for creative content opportunities.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.