Plug and Play

Plug and Play, founded in 2006 and based in Sunnyvale, California, operates as a business accelerator and venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage and seed investments in technology startups. The firm runs 12 industry-specific accelerator programs annually, connecting startups with corporate partners and investors to foster collaboration and growth. Plug and Play's investment strategy encompasses a wide range of sectors, including fintech, health and wellness, travel, cybersecurity, and sustainability, allowing it to support diverse startups from any country. The firm provides various resources, including funding, mentorship, office space, and networking opportunities, and has a global presence with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Plug and Play has a strong track record, having helped numerous startups secure over $9 billion in funding since its inception. Its programs aim to refine business models and facilitate introductions to potential investors, ultimately contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Saeed Amidi

Co-Founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer

Kiswana Browne

Associate

Nick Daley

Associate

Gabriela Dow

Co-Founder and Partner

Matt Helmers

Director of Strategy and Innovation

Alex Roudi

Managing Partner, San Diego

Marc Steiner

General Counsel

Jupe Tan

Managing Partner, Asia Pacific & Senior Vice President, Global Operations

Andy Toth

Investment Director

Phillip Vincent

Managing Partner, East Asia

Fan Wen

Associate

Chen Zhao

Managing Partner, China

Past deals in Illinois

Everest

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Everest develops logistics solutions using artificial intelligence. It uses technology to solve trucking problems and inconveniences.

Bridge Money

Seed Round in 2022
Bridge is a developer of a banking platform used to help achieve financial freedom. It aims to provide a path towards upward financial mobility for the millions of people left behind by the traditional banking system. It was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Evertas

Seed Round in 2021
Evertas is a cryptoasset insurance company. Evertas focuses on covering institutional holders of cryptoassets including exchanges, custodians, traditional financial institutions, funds, family offices, and ultra-high net worth individuals.

TrustClarity

Convertible Note in 2021
TrustClarity Inc. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in developing a B2B software as a service storefront platform. This platform enables companies to effectively sell their products while also aiding buyers in the resale of excess inventory. TrustClarity primarily serves the telecommunications and energy sectors, providing tools that streamline the sales process and enhance product distribution.

newtrul

Seed Round in 2021
newtrul is a shipment aggregation platform that provides freight carriers an easier way to search for their next job.

Care Advisors

Convertible Note in 2021
CareAdvisors is on a mission to improve healthcare equity in the U.S. We are a fast-moving, minority-owned technology company that helps millions of individuals gain rapid access to healthcare and social service benefits by automating the manual enrollment process taken on by healthcare providers. Our technology also enables healthcare organizations to reduce uncompensated care costs and delays in treatment and payments. We are led by a founding team that has over 10 years of experience building community resource directories that address social needs and access to care. Patients shouldn’t feel alone in the healthcare process. An individualized approach is key to the overall patient experience. Their navigators provide one on one assistance to patients and their families. They train their team to overcome the barriers to receiving quality healthcare. Their programs are created to train future workers to embrace their various backgrounds and use diversity of thought and experience to meet the needs of all patients. Community health rests heavily on access to health coverage and the ability to serve populations. That is why they train health advocates to become health professionals. They offer health navigation training for job readiness, along with college prep learning for academic success. Health navigators play a vital role in the coverage to care model under the Affordable Care Act. Their programs are created to train future workers to assist local communities. They have programs to introduce you to this field or continue with your learning. Contact us to learn more about their trainings. There are numerous processes within healthcare that impact patient care. Healthcare begins with accessibility. At the moment of contact, a well strategized health informatics system can gather patient information and assess gaps in care to evaluate future outcomes. The Patient Innovation Center is building a new way to health management and the systematic processes for patient and community health. They offer a research pipeline that connects the collegiate world to local communities. Their Health Informatics program emphasizes the real world application of data along with the information technology used to analyze and produce dynamic information that improves outcomes in health. They offer training solutions to bridge the gap between patient data and health outcomes. The Navigator Program offers a seminar based learning environment led by senior health navigators working in the field. In addition to the mandated government learning requirements, students are educated on cultural barriers to enrollment using real life examples. They emphasize that going the extra mile is critical for enrollment success.

Evertas

Seed Round in 2020
Evertas is a cryptoasset insurance company. Evertas focuses on covering institutional holders of cryptoassets including exchanges, custodians, traditional financial institutions, funds, family offices, and ultra-high net worth individuals.

newtrul

Pre Seed Round in 2020
newtrul is a shipment aggregation platform that provides freight carriers an easier way to search for their next job.

Brighthive

Seed Round in 2019
BrightHive helps companies link their data to empower decision making.

Autobon AI

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Autobon Holdings, Inc. specializes in developing vehicle assistance software aimed at enhancing fuel efficiency, safety, and operational effectiveness for truckers and fleet owners. The company's innovative technologies, including Autobon Visor and CargoCam, facilitate the tracking and monitoring of cargo and trucks, thereby improving overall logistics management. Founded in 2016 and based in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Autobon is committed to transforming existing semi-trucks into safer and more automated vehicles. By providing a low-cost autopilot platform, Autobon empowers America's truck drivers and fleets to engage with the evolving landscape of autonomous transportation.

Ivee

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Ivee is a company founded in 2018 and based in Chicago, Illinois, that focuses on enhancing passenger experiences in the ride-hailing sector. By integrating digital and physical touchpoints, Ivee aims to foster meaningful connections between brands and consumers during and after their rides. The company's data platform is designed to provide personalized in-vehicle experiences, making travel more productive, entertaining, informative, or relaxing. This approach helps clients optimize the time passengers spend in transit, ultimately enhancing the overall passenger economy.

Block Re

Seed Round in 2018
Block Re

Nullafi

Seed Round in 2016
Joinesty, Inc. operates a Web platform that aggregates a user’s ‘memberships’ and related information into a single dashboard and allows users to connect with other users of the services. Its platform enables users to manage their services from Amazon to Uber and gilt to mint, as well as online banking and online utility account; and organizes important details, such as passwords, read reviews, and snag deals into a dashboard. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Riviter

Pre Seed Round in 2015
Riviter, Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in visual search technology that leverages image recognition to connect products in images with items in retailers' inventories. The company's innovative visual search algorithm helps brands anticipate consumer demand by analyzing social images and videos, enabling more effective online shopping experiences. By addressing issues such as stockouts and irrelevant product suggestions, Riviter’s tools allow retailers to enhance their offerings and drive sales, ultimately increasing revenue by aligning product recommendations with customer preferences.

Blinkfire Analytics

Seed Round in 2014
Blinkfire Analytics, Inc. specializes in social media analytics for professional sports franchises and brands, enabling them to assess their social media return on investment. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Valencia, Spain, the company utilizes artificial intelligence and computer vision to analyze multimedia content, including images and videos. Its platform provides tools for inventory valuation, visual analytics, and engagement metrics, helping rights holders, players, agents, and brands effectively engage with fans and sponsors. By generating detailed reports on social media consumption and brand engagement, Blinkfire Analytics serves as a crucial resource for teams and brands in managing their online presence and sponsorship opportunities.

Scout

Seed Round in 2014
Scout is a home security system that combines hardware designs and easy-to-use controls. It enables its users to access the device from anywhere on their phones, tablets, or computers. The company's monitoring technology gives its users peace of mind at home and away. It also allows its users to customize their responses to all alerts. Scout was founded in 2012 in Chicago, Illinois.

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

Aisle50

Seed Round in 2011
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