Origin Ventures

Origin Ventures is a venture capital investment firm based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1999. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in high-growth businesses within the software, marketplace, consumer products and services, and e-commerce sectors, primarily focusing on the Digital Native Economy. Origin Ventures has a strong track record, with multiple funds ranked in the top 5% for realized performance. The firm typically invests between $500,000 and $8 million in its portfolio companies. Notable exits from its investments include companies such as Grubhub, BacklotCars, Tock, Ahalogy, and Teem. As a Registered Investment Adviser, Origin Ventures is committed to fostering innovation and growth in its target industries across North America.

Hill, Brent

Managing Partner

Prashant Shukla

Partner

Jacquie Siegmund

Principal and Investor

Angela Smith

Senior Associate and Investor

Scott Stern

Partner

Past deals in Illinois

Prisidio

Seed Round in 2021
Prisidio is a life organizer that securely stores, organize, manage, and share key documents and information. With Prisidio, it’s easy to keep affairs in order and prepare for whatever may happen in life.

Anthill

Seed Round in 2021
Anthill AI is a Chicago-based software company focused on personalizing workforce development for both employers and employees. Founded by Muriel Clauson and Young-Jae Kim, the company offers a talent management platform that enhances employee engagement, retention, and internal mobility. The platform enables businesses to address critical workforce needs while providing employees with tailored insights and support for their professional growth. By facilitating reskilling and development, Anthill AI aims to improve the overall employee experience and drive organizational success.

Cameo

Series C in 2021
Cameo is a marketplace that enables fans to book personalized video shoutouts from a wide range of celebrities and influencers. The platform focuses on providing authentic and tailored fan experiences by allowing users to connect with their favorite personalities for custom video messages. Cameo partners with thousands of talents across various fields, offering customers an opportunity to share unique, personalized content. The company's mission centers on enhancing fan engagement through these bespoke interactions, creating memorable experiences that resonate with users. Based in Chicago, Cameo is a key player in the technology and startup ecosystem, facilitating a creative outlet for both fans and celebrities.

Tovala

Series C in 2021
Tovala combines a smart oven with a fresh meal delivery service to makes dinner effortless. Tovala is a smart oven that sits on the countertop and is paired with a companion meal delivery service. The company's meal system combines an internet-connected countertop steam oven capable of multi-step cooking with meals prepared by gourmet chefs, making dinner preparation as simple as scanning a barcode, enabling busy people to get access to an effortless way to eat delicious, healthy, home-cooked meals. The Chicago-based company was founded in 2015 and was launched in 2017.

Prisidio

Seed Round in 2021
Prisidio is a life organizer that securely stores, organize, manage, and share key documents and information. With Prisidio, it’s easy to keep affairs in order and prepare for whatever may happen in life.

Anthill

Seed Round in 2021
Anthill AI is a Chicago-based software company focused on personalizing workforce development for both employers and employees. Founded by Muriel Clauson and Young-Jae Kim, the company offers a talent management platform that enhances employee engagement, retention, and internal mobility. The platform enables businesses to address critical workforce needs while providing employees with tailored insights and support for their professional growth. By facilitating reskilling and development, Anthill AI aims to improve the overall employee experience and drive organizational success.

Tovala

Series B in 2020
Tovala is a Chicago-based company founded in 2015 that offers an innovative solution for meal preparation by combining a smart oven with a fresh meal delivery service. The Tovala oven is an internet-connected countertop steam oven designed for multi-step cooking, allowing users to prepare meals effortlessly by simply scanning a barcode. The accompanying meal service provides chef-crafted meals, ensuring that customers can enjoy healthy, home-cooked dishes without the hassle of extensive cooking. Launched in 2017, Tovala aims to simplify dinner preparation for busy individuals, making it easy to access delicious and nutritious meals.

Tock

Series C in 2020
Tock is a comprehensive platform built to fundamentally change the way restaurants think about and run their business. This includes a robust reservation, guest, and table management system for restaurants of all sizes across the globe.

Trala

Seed Round in 2018
Trala, Inc. is a company that develops a music education application aimed at teaching users how to play the violin. The application provides features such as tutorials, daily lessons, and real-time feedback on mistakes, utilizing advanced signal processing technology to enhance the learning experience. Users benefit from instant feedback and access to thousands of video tutorials from renowned violinists. Additionally, the app facilitates communication between students and teachers, allowing for the tracking of practice activities and progress. Founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, Illinois, Trala aims to offer a convenient and effective approach to violin education.

Tock

Series B in 2018
Tock is a comprehensive platform built to fundamentally change the way restaurants think about and run their business. This includes a robust reservation, guest, and table management system for restaurants of all sizes across the globe.

Cameo

Series A in 2018
Cameo is a marketplace that enables fans to book personalized video shoutouts from a wide range of celebrities and influencers. The platform focuses on providing authentic and tailored fan experiences by allowing users to connect with their favorite personalities for custom video messages. Cameo partners with thousands of talents across various fields, offering customers an opportunity to share unique, personalized content. The company's mission centers on enhancing fan engagement through these bespoke interactions, creating memorable experiences that resonate with users. Based in Chicago, Cameo is a key player in the technology and startup ecosystem, facilitating a creative outlet for both fans and celebrities.

Cameo

Seed Round in 2018
Cameo is a marketplace that enables fans to book personalized video shoutouts from a wide range of celebrities and influencers. The platform focuses on providing authentic and tailored fan experiences by allowing users to connect with their favorite personalities for custom video messages. Cameo partners with thousands of talents across various fields, offering customers an opportunity to share unique, personalized content. The company's mission centers on enhancing fan engagement through these bespoke interactions, creating memorable experiences that resonate with users. Based in Chicago, Cameo is a key player in the technology and startup ecosystem, facilitating a creative outlet for both fans and celebrities.

Tovala

Series A in 2017
Tovala combines a smart oven with a fresh meal delivery service to makes dinner effortless. Tovala is a smart oven that sits on the countertop and is paired with a companion meal delivery service. The company's meal system combines an internet-connected countertop steam oven capable of multi-step cooking with meals prepared by gourmet chefs, making dinner preparation as simple as scanning a barcode, enabling busy people to get access to an effortless way to eat delicious, healthy, home-cooked meals. The Chicago-based company was founded in 2015 and was launched in 2017.

Curiosity

Series A in 2017
Curiosityis a award winning curiosity daily podcast will help you learn more about the world around you every day. You'll get a unique combination of research-based life hacks, the latest science and technology news, and more in less than 10 minutes. Cody gough and ashley hamer of discovery will teach you about your mind and body, outer space and the ocean depths, and how history transformed the world into what it is today.

Tovala

Seed Round in 2016
Tovala combines a smart oven with a fresh meal delivery service to makes dinner effortless. Tovala is a smart oven that sits on the countertop and is paired with a companion meal delivery service. The company's meal system combines an internet-connected countertop steam oven capable of multi-step cooking with meals prepared by gourmet chefs, making dinner preparation as simple as scanning a barcode, enabling busy people to get access to an effortless way to eat delicious, healthy, home-cooked meals. The Chicago-based company was founded in 2015 and was launched in 2017.

Tock

Series A in 2016
Tock is a comprehensive platform built to fundamentally change the way restaurants think about and run their business. This includes a robust reservation, guest, and table management system for restaurants of all sizes across the globe.

TransparentCareer

Seed Round in 2016
TransparentCareer is building the next-generation career management platform for job seekers and employers. We are collecting the most robust compensation and career path dataset in existence to help professionals and students understand their fair pay and plan their careers. Our data enables us to provide compensation and career insights that are 1) personalized based on users’ backgrounds and 2) longitudinal, allowing users to visualize how one choice might impact their career path over time. No other product accomplishes these goals. Check it out at www.transparentcareer.com

Riviter

Pre Seed Round in 2016
Riviter gives brands predictive insight from social images. Our computer vision A.I. recognizes people, products, and places to scale the power of connecting with consumers at the moment of consumption. We help the world's largest brands prioritize the audiences, contexts, and products that will fuel their growth.

Tovala

Pre Seed Round in 2016
Tovala combines a smart oven with a fresh meal delivery service to makes dinner effortless. Tovala is a smart oven that sits on the countertop and is paired with a companion meal delivery service. The company's meal system combines an internet-connected countertop steam oven capable of multi-step cooking with meals prepared by gourmet chefs, making dinner preparation as simple as scanning a barcode, enabling busy people to get access to an effortless way to eat delicious, healthy, home-cooked meals. The Chicago-based company was founded in 2015 and was launched in 2017.

Avant

Series E in 2015
Avant operates an online marketplace that provides users with access to personal loans to consolidate debt, pay unexpected medical expenses, and for family vacations. Through the use of big data and machine-learning algorithms, the company offers a customized approach to streamline credit options. The company caters to consumers in the United States and the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Whittl

Series A in 2015
Whittl operates an online marketplace that enables consumers to compare prices for a variety of local services, including child care, guitar classes, housekeeping, and dog grooming. By allowing users to easily share and compare prices, Whittl empowers individuals to make informed decisions similar to how they would when booking airline tickets or purchasing electronics. In addition to price comparison, the platform facilitates online payments for these services, enhancing the convenience for users. Whittl aims to keep consumers informed about local offerings, helping them navigate their options effectively.

Persio

Series A in 2015
Persio’s multi-channel marketing and decision platform put the power of personalization into marketers’ hands. Built to meet the needs of retailers, Persio connects marketers’ existing data sources, technology solutions, deployment channels, and identity resolution services into a single, interoperable interface so that marketers can deploy data-driven and personalized campaigns across web, email, SMS, mobile apps and other sales channels to reach customers with relevant offers at their most responsive point.

Curiosity

Series A in 2014
Curiosityis a award winning curiosity daily podcast will help you learn more about the world around you every day. You'll get a unique combination of research-based life hacks, the latest science and technology news, and more in less than 10 minutes. Cody gough and ashley hamer of discovery will teach you about your mind and body, outer space and the ocean depths, and how history transformed the world into what it is today.

Rivet

Venture Round in 2014
Rivet Smart Audio is an internet radio news application and platform that delivers personalized local, national, and world news. Users can tune into custom, topical playlists with the company’s enterprise API for businesses. Featured by Apple as “The Best in Bite-Sized News Application,” Rivet News Radio is available on iPhone, Android, and car platforms. Rivet News Radio was founded in December 2013 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

DialogTech

Series E in 2014
DialogTech specializes in providing actionable marketing analytics for businesses that prioritize inbound phone calls. Recognized as a leader in call analytics and optimization, DialogTech offers a comprehensive voice management platform used by Fortune 500 companies, agencies, and rapidly growing businesses. Its suite of services includes call attribution, conversation analytics, and caller experience optimization, enabling clients to enhance their marketing effectiveness. Additionally, the platform features tools for advertisement tracking, call notifications, call forwarding, automation, and interactive voice response, helping clients to amplify their marketing efforts and drive revenue through improved communication strategies.

DialogTech

Series D in 2014
DialogTech specializes in providing actionable marketing analytics for businesses that prioritize inbound phone calls. Recognized as a leader in call analytics and optimization, DialogTech offers a comprehensive voice management platform used by Fortune 500 companies, agencies, and rapidly growing businesses. Its suite of services includes call attribution, conversation analytics, and caller experience optimization, enabling clients to enhance their marketing effectiveness. Additionally, the platform features tools for advertisement tracking, call notifications, call forwarding, automation, and interactive voice response, helping clients to amplify their marketing efforts and drive revenue through improved communication strategies.

Persio

Series A in 2013
Persio’s multi-channel marketing and decision platform put the power of personalization into marketers’ hands. Built to meet the needs of retailers, Persio connects marketers’ existing data sources, technology solutions, deployment channels, and identity resolution services into a single, interoperable interface so that marketers can deploy data-driven and personalized campaigns across web, email, SMS, mobile apps and other sales channels to reach customers with relevant offers at their most responsive point.

doggyloot

Series A in 2013
Doggyloot is a leading flash sales site dedicated to dogs and their owners, providing significant discounts on a variety of dog-related products. Members can access daily deals on items such as toys, treats, chews, and accessories, with discounts ranging from 25 to 75 percent off retail prices, along with free shipping. The platform aims to introduce customers to innovative and high-quality products for their pets. In addition to its sales offerings, doggyloot launched an online community called doggywoof in September 2011, which features articles on dog training, health, DIY projects, and recipes, with contributions from certified veterinarians and trainers. Founded in December 2010 by Ryan Schoop, Nick Rosa, and Millie Tadewaldt, the company has since expanded its leadership team to include Jeff Eckerling as CEO.

Aisle50

Series A in 2013
Aisle50 sells offers grocery deals that are bought on the Web and redeemed at traditional grocery stores. The Aisle50 program usually works with retailers' loyalty card systems, although a loyalty card isn't necessary for a retailer to participate. What Aisle50 does for different parties: Food Manufacturers: Get 40% lift, 50%+ incrementality and pay-for-performance marketing. Retailers: Get thousands of extra trips and 24% bigger baskets. Consumers: Get bigger grocery deals than can be found elsewhere

Whittl

Venture Round in 2013
Whittl operates an online marketplace that enables consumers to compare prices for a variety of local services, including child care, guitar classes, housekeeping, and dog grooming. By allowing users to easily share and compare prices, Whittl empowers individuals to make informed decisions similar to how they would when booking airline tickets or purchasing electronics. In addition to price comparison, the platform facilitates online payments for these services, enhancing the convenience for users. Whittl aims to keep consumers informed about local offerings, helping them navigate their options effectively.

Pangea Money Transfer

Seed Round in 2013
Pangea Money Transfer is a mobile-centric platform that enables users in the United States to send money quickly and affordably to 15 countries in Latin America and Asia. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the service allows transactions to be completed in less than 30 seconds for a low flat fee. Recipients can choose to collect cash at numerous retail locations or have funds directly deposited into a bank account or onto a debit card. The application also includes features such as automatic transfers and international bill payments, enhancing the convenience and security of money transfers for users.

CityScan

Seed Round in 2013
CityScan is a Chicago-based software company specializing in intelligent data collection and integration for Smart Cities and Utilities. The company employs patented mobile 3D visualization technologies that create highly accurate renderings of urban environments, down to a few inches. By integrating private and municipal data, CityScan enhances operational efficiency and reduces costs for its clients. Their solutions enable cities and utility companies to effectively manage assets, ensure compliance with local regulations, and foster safe environments for residents. Additionally, the data-driven insights provided by CityScan support citywide initiatives, including Smart Grid deployments and policy decision-making, contributing to urban planning and blight reduction efforts.

DialogTech

Series B in 2010
DialogTech specializes in providing actionable marketing analytics for businesses that prioritize inbound phone calls. Recognized as a leader in call analytics and optimization, DialogTech offers a comprehensive voice management platform used by Fortune 500 companies, agencies, and rapidly growing businesses. Its suite of services includes call attribution, conversation analytics, and caller experience optimization, enabling clients to enhance their marketing effectiveness. Additionally, the platform features tools for advertisement tracking, call notifications, call forwarding, automation, and interactive voice response, helping clients to amplify their marketing efforts and drive revenue through improved communication strategies.

Grubhub

Series B in 2009
Grubhub is an online platform that allows users to find and order food from local restaurants for delivery or pickup. It provides a wide variety of meal options, including snacks and groceries, while offering tools for restaurant owners to reach more customers.

DialogTech

Venture Round in 2008
DialogTech specializes in providing actionable marketing analytics for businesses that prioritize inbound phone calls. Recognized as a leader in call analytics and optimization, DialogTech offers a comprehensive voice management platform used by Fortune 500 companies, agencies, and rapidly growing businesses. Its suite of services includes call attribution, conversation analytics, and caller experience optimization, enabling clients to enhance their marketing effectiveness. Additionally, the platform features tools for advertisement tracking, call notifications, call forwarding, automation, and interactive voice response, helping clients to amplify their marketing efforts and drive revenue through improved communication strategies.

Grubhub

Series A in 2007
Grubhub is an online platform that allows users to find and order food from local restaurants for delivery or pickup. It provides a wide variety of meal options, including snacks and groceries, while offering tools for restaurant owners to reach more customers.

DialogTech

Series A in 2007
DialogTech specializes in providing actionable marketing analytics for businesses that prioritize inbound phone calls. Recognized as a leader in call analytics and optimization, DialogTech offers a comprehensive voice management platform used by Fortune 500 companies, agencies, and rapidly growing businesses. Its suite of services includes call attribution, conversation analytics, and caller experience optimization, enabling clients to enhance their marketing effectiveness. Additionally, the platform features tools for advertisement tracking, call notifications, call forwarding, automation, and interactive voice response, helping clients to amplify their marketing efforts and drive revenue through improved communication strategies.

Assignment Editor

Venture Round in 2001
Assignment Editor is an online web-based platform that enables reporters, writers, producers, and assignment editors to find stories and do research on the internet. The platform was created in July 1999 by [Jim Lichtenstein](http://www.crunchbase.com/person/jim-lichtenstein). As the managing editor at CBS/WBBM-TV in Chicago, he wanted a resource that could help individuals with their research on the internet. That resource didn’t exist, so he decided to build it himself.

iNest Realty

Venture Round in 2000
iNest Realty is a real estate brokerage firm focused on newly-constructed homes. It provides consumers with a database of new home builders and communities with flexible search options and a network of local field agents to enable individuals to find new homes. iNest Realty was founded in 1997 and is based in Bloomingdale, Illinois, the United States.

iNest Realty

Venture Round in 1999
iNest Realty is a real estate brokerage firm focused on newly-constructed homes. It provides consumers with a database of new home builders and communities with flexible search options and a network of local field agents to enable individuals to find new homes. iNest Realty was founded in 1997 and is based in Bloomingdale, Illinois, the United States.
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