Wakestream Ventures

Wakestream Ventures, formerly known as Start Garden, is a venture capital firm focused on investing in seed and early-stage businesses, particularly in the technology sector, including hardware-software convergence and e-commerce. The firm operates primarily in Michigan but is open to investments across the United States. It typically invests between $100,000 and $300,000 in initial funding, with the potential for cumulative follow-on investments up to $1.5 million. To receive funding, companies must register as Michigan LLCs, provide updates on their progress, and engage with the firm's resources in Grand Rapids. Wakestream Ventures does not invest in non-profit organizations and requires that investee companies have tangible projects rather than just ideas. The firm aims to maintain a first right of refusal for future outside investments, converting this into equity if securities are issued. Established in April 2012, Wakestream Ventures leverages its region's rich history in innovation and industrial design to support founders working on physical products integrated with the Internet of Things.

Mike DeVries

CIO

Joe Lampen

Finance Director

64 past transactions

Orbion Space Technology

Series B in 2021
Orbion Space Technology, Inc. develops and manufactures plasma propulsion systems for small satellites. It offers electric propulsion technology and space systems. Orbion Space Technology, Inc. was founded in 2016 and is based in Houghton, Michigan.

ADHD Online

Series A in 2021
ADHD Online provides a platform that enables patients to receive a formal evaluation for ADHD from its licensed psychologist's network. It is currently providing diagnoses and some treatment options in all 50 states. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

ATLAS Space Operations

Convertible Note in 2021
ATLAS Space Operations, Inc. develops a software platform for users to gather information from space for use on the ground. The company offers ATLAS Freedom Software Platform, a cloud-based, software-only space management and control system that allows users to gather information from space for use on the ground. It offers features, such as software centric, cloud processing, flex scheduling, data movers, co-opt antennas, AWS services, and operates a cloud data center. It also provides communications services for space. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan.

MaxOne

Venture Round in 2021
MaxOne is a digital coaching platform aimed at enhancing the development of youth athletes through personalized training and performance tracking. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, MaxOne provides tailored coaching tools that utilize computer vision, sensor data, wearables, and performance statistics. This comprehensive approach allows athletes to receive elite-level training at the appropriate moments in their development. The platform also offers parents a centralized view of their child's progress, enabling them to compare performance with peers in the same age group. Additionally, MaxOne facilitates efficient management for head coaches by helping to organize team training schedules, create off-season workout plans, and communicate with parents, ultimately streamlining the operation of athletic programs.

Magic Spoon

Venture Round in 2020
Magic Spoon Inc. is a food company that specializes in producing and selling low-carbohydrate cereals aimed at adult consumers. Founded in 2019 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company offers a variety of flavors, including fruity, cinnamon, cocoa, and frosted. Its cereals are designed to be keto-friendly and are made without gluten, grains, wheat, soy, or artificial sweeteners. Instead, they use allulose, a natural sweetener derived from figs and maple syrup, which has no glycemic impact. Magic Spoon sells its products exclusively online, catering to a growing demand for healthier cereal options that evoke childhood favorites.

Shoulder Innovations

Venture Round in 2020
Shoulder Innovations, Inc. is a medical device company based in Holland, Michigan, established in 2009. It specializes in designing and manufacturing orthopedic solutions specifically for shoulder replacement surgeries. The company's flagship product, the Total Shoulder Replacement System, features an innovative inset glenoid fixation technology, which enhances the stability and reliability of the glenoid implant—a critical factor in shoulder arthroplasty. This system aims to address the major challenge of implant fixation, which can lead to complications and the need for revision surgeries. Additionally, Shoulder Innovations provides the necessary surgical instrumentation that simplifies the implantation process, ultimately reducing operative time and costs. The company markets its products through distribution partners across the United States, focusing on improving patient outcomes and lowering overall healthcare expenses.

AdAdapted

Venture Round in 2020
AdAdapted, Inc. is a mobile advertising platform designed for consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands and agencies. Founded in 2012 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company provides a solution that allows CPG brands to directly engage with their target consumers through native, non-disruptive ads in shopping and planning apps. This approach enables brands to reach consumers at critical decision-making moments, helping to integrate products into digital shopping lists. The AdAdapted platform also tracks consumer behavior, revealing preferences, shopping tendencies, and planning habits, thus offering valuable insights to CPG brands and retailers.

ATLAS Space Operations

Convertible Note in 2020
ATLAS Space Operations, Inc. develops a software platform for users to gather information from space for use on the ground. The company offers ATLAS Freedom Software Platform, a cloud-based, software-only space management and control system that allows users to gather information from space for use on the ground. It offers features, such as software centric, cloud processing, flex scheduling, data movers, co-opt antennas, AWS services, and operates a cloud data center. It also provides communications services for space. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan.

Facility Health

Seed Round in 2020
FHI specializes in asset life cycle care. Its combined software and engineering services solution provides a real-time analysis of assets, the ability to monitor maintenance and repair performance based on the CMMS data, tracking of engineering assessments, and forecasting of asset useful life.

Magic Spoon

Seed Round in 2019
Magic Spoon Inc. is a food company that specializes in producing and selling low-carbohydrate cereals aimed at adult consumers. Founded in 2019 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company offers a variety of flavors, including fruity, cinnamon, cocoa, and frosted. Its cereals are designed to be keto-friendly and are made without gluten, grains, wheat, soy, or artificial sweeteners. Instead, they use allulose, a natural sweetener derived from figs and maple syrup, which has no glycemic impact. Magic Spoon sells its products exclusively online, catering to a growing demand for healthier cereal options that evoke childhood favorites.

Orbion Space Technology

Series A in 2019
Orbion Space Technology, Inc. develops and manufactures plasma propulsion systems for small satellites. It offers electric propulsion technology and space systems. Orbion Space Technology, Inc. was founded in 2016 and is based in Houghton, Michigan.

HealthBridge

Series B in 2019
HealthBridge Financial, Inc. is an Insurtech company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that specializes in health insurance brokerage services. Founded in 2017, HealthBridge focuses on transforming the healthcare payment landscape by connecting various stakeholders to address the financial challenges associated with patient deductibles and coinsurance. The company's offerings include the design, underwriting, and servicing of credit solutions tailored to the employer-sponsored insurance sector. Through its innovative approach, HealthBridge aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by patients while enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare transactions.

Workit Health

Series A in 2019
Workit Health, Inc. is a healthcare technology company that specializes in digital treatment for substance use disorders. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Workit Health offers an online platform that combines interactive therapeutic content with professional counseling services. The platform provides evidence-based treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders, including medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine. Users can access therapeutic recovery curriculums, video consultations with clinicians, online recovery groups, and virtual drug testing from the privacy of their homes. Workit Health serves a diverse range of clients, including employers, schools, hospitals, clinics, and recovery support communities, with additional locations in California, New Jersey, Alaska, and Washington.

Jiobit

Venture Round in 2018
Jiobit is the world's smallest and longest lasting tracking solution. With a Jiobit device and smartphone app, parents (and pet parents) can find their loved ones anywhere: Indoors, outdoors, in over 120 countries and even in multi-level buildings. With weeks of battery life and a durable and discreet design, Jiobit is the world's smallest real-time location tracking product. The mobile app (run through a wireless subscription service) offers the most comprehensive set of monitoring and notification features available on the market. Overall, Jiobit gives parents peace of mind while allowing kids to be kids. The Jiobit team is comprised of seasoned engineers, designers, and marketers with a history of building innovative and disruptive consumer products and businesses. The team has logged a combined 150 patents from previous endeavors and developed and shipped products selling in the millions worldwide. We are proudly headquartered in Chicago, with a development center in Silicon Valley.

Shoulder Innovations

Series A in 2018
Shoulder Innovations, Inc. is a medical device company based in Holland, Michigan, established in 2009. It specializes in designing and manufacturing orthopedic solutions specifically for shoulder replacement surgeries. The company's flagship product, the Total Shoulder Replacement System, features an innovative inset glenoid fixation technology, which enhances the stability and reliability of the glenoid implant—a critical factor in shoulder arthroplasty. This system aims to address the major challenge of implant fixation, which can lead to complications and the need for revision surgeries. Additionally, Shoulder Innovations provides the necessary surgical instrumentation that simplifies the implantation process, ultimately reducing operative time and costs. The company markets its products through distribution partners across the United States, focusing on improving patient outcomes and lowering overall healthcare expenses.

Urbaneer

Seed Round in 2018
Urbaneer, LLC, founded in 2012 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializes in the sale of pre-fabricated components designed for space optimization. The company offers a diverse array of products, including flexible furnishings, movable wall systems, and adaptable storage solutions. Urbaneer aims to transform living and working environments through its configurable and compact interior components, which include murphy beds, built-in cabinetry, kitchens, and dual-purpose furniture. By providing innovative solutions, Urbaneer enables homeowners and developers to maximize their interior spaces effectively.

AdAdapted

Convertible Note in 2018
AdAdapted, Inc. is a mobile advertising platform designed for consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands and agencies. Founded in 2012 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company provides a solution that allows CPG brands to directly engage with their target consumers through native, non-disruptive ads in shopping and planning apps. This approach enables brands to reach consumers at critical decision-making moments, helping to integrate products into digital shopping lists. The AdAdapted platform also tracks consumer behavior, revealing preferences, shopping tendencies, and planning habits, thus offering valuable insights to CPG brands and retailers.

BallotReady

Seed Round in 2018
BallotReady, Inc. develops an online and mobile voter guide for local elections. The company aggregates content from sources, such as candidates' Websites, League of Women Voters questionnaires, news articles, campaign finance records, and legislative roll calls; and provides nonpartisan background information on every candidate and referendum on a voter’s ballot. It allows users to compare all candidates on the Illinois ballot; find the information they need on all the candidates they will see in the voting booth; see where candidates stand on the issues that matter to them; and save selected candidates to their mobile device or research candidates in the voting booth. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Inductive Intelligence

Seed Round in 2018
Inductive Intelligence specializes in smart inductive heating and cooking technology that offers a convenient, controlled, safe, and sustainable experience for users. The company's innovative system utilizes NFC tags, temperature sensors, and inductive power to create a highly controlled cooking process while significantly reducing energy consumption—up to 75% less than traditional microwaves. In addition to enhancing cooking efficiency, the platform collects valuable data on user interactions, benefiting consumers, retailers, and consumer packaged goods companies. Positioned within the rapidly expanding markets of single-serve packaging and wireless power, Inductive Intelligence aims to transform the way food and beverages are heated and cooked, making it a significant player in the future of sustainable cooking solutions.

MaxOne

Seed Round in 2018
MaxOne is a digital coaching platform aimed at enhancing the development of youth athletes through personalized training and performance tracking. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, MaxOne provides tailored coaching tools that utilize computer vision, sensor data, wearables, and performance statistics. This comprehensive approach allows athletes to receive elite-level training at the appropriate moments in their development. The platform also offers parents a centralized view of their child's progress, enabling them to compare performance with peers in the same age group. Additionally, MaxOne facilitates efficient management for head coaches by helping to organize team training schedules, create off-season workout plans, and communicate with parents, ultimately streamlining the operation of athletic programs.

CertifID

Seed Round in 2018
CertifID LLC is a company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that specializes in providing real-time identity verification and money transfer protection for professionals in the real estate, mortgage, and title industries. Founded in 2017 by experienced attorneys Lawrence Duthler and Tom Cronkright, CertifID offers a platform that enables users to authenticate parties involved in transactions and securely transfer bank account information. The company's solution includes measures such as digital verification, Knowledge Based Authentication (KBA), Two Factor Authentication (2FA), and bank account certification, ensuring that each wire transfer is protected against fraud and guaranteed up to $1 million. This service was developed in response to a significant fraud incident experienced by Sun Title, one of Michigan's largest title agencies, highlighting the need for enhanced security in financial transactions.

Blue Medora

Series B in 2017
Blue Medora is pioneering total IT system insight without plugins. Its software easily connects system health and performance data--no matter its source--with the world’s leading monitoring and analytics platforms, breaking barriers to today’s IT challenges. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich, Blue Medora helps more than 350 customers to unlock Dimensional Data across their IT stack.

Kumanu

Seed Round in 2017
Kumanu helps people and organizations build authentic connections to deeper purpose through advanced science and technology. It is formerly known as JOOL Health, builds stronger organizations and bigger lives by creating better alignment with purpose. We fuse advanced machine learning, leading behavior change science, elegant digital experience design, and real-time predictive decision support to create positive change that’s both scalable and enduring. It’s all integrated into their PurposeCloud, the first purpose activation platform. The platform offers a beautiful, simple, and purposeful app for employees, a real-time analytics dashboard for organizations designed to integrate your corporate, people and wellbeing strategies, and a powerful insights engine that connects, predicts and contextualizes the data.

Work Truck Solutions

Series B in 2017
Work Truck Solutions, Inc. develops marketing and lead generation tools to help commercial vehicle buyers in finding their work truck. The company offers dealer software solutions, and upfitter marketing and display tools. It serves original equipment manufacturers, body and equipment manufacturers, distributors and installers, and commercial vehicle dealers from various brands across the United States. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Chico, California with additional locations in Michigan and Texas.

Urbaneer

Seed Round in 2017
Urbaneer, LLC, founded in 2012 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializes in the sale of pre-fabricated components designed for space optimization. The company offers a diverse array of products, including flexible furnishings, movable wall systems, and adaptable storage solutions. Urbaneer aims to transform living and working environments through its configurable and compact interior components, which include murphy beds, built-in cabinetry, kitchens, and dual-purpose furniture. By providing innovative solutions, Urbaneer enables homeowners and developers to maximize their interior spaces effectively.

Shoulder Innovations

Series A in 2017
Shoulder Innovations, Inc. is a medical device company based in Holland, Michigan, established in 2009. It specializes in designing and manufacturing orthopedic solutions specifically for shoulder replacement surgeries. The company's flagship product, the Total Shoulder Replacement System, features an innovative inset glenoid fixation technology, which enhances the stability and reliability of the glenoid implant—a critical factor in shoulder arthroplasty. This system aims to address the major challenge of implant fixation, which can lead to complications and the need for revision surgeries. Additionally, Shoulder Innovations provides the necessary surgical instrumentation that simplifies the implantation process, ultimately reducing operative time and costs. The company markets its products through distribution partners across the United States, focusing on improving patient outcomes and lowering overall healthcare expenses.

Jiobit

Seed Round in 2017
Jiobit is the world's smallest and longest lasting tracking solution. With a Jiobit device and smartphone app, parents (and pet parents) can find their loved ones anywhere: Indoors, outdoors, in over 120 countries and even in multi-level buildings. With weeks of battery life and a durable and discreet design, Jiobit is the world's smallest real-time location tracking product. The mobile app (run through a wireless subscription service) offers the most comprehensive set of monitoring and notification features available on the market. Overall, Jiobit gives parents peace of mind while allowing kids to be kids. The Jiobit team is comprised of seasoned engineers, designers, and marketers with a history of building innovative and disruptive consumer products and businesses. The team has logged a combined 150 patents from previous endeavors and developed and shipped products selling in the millions worldwide. We are proudly headquartered in Chicago, with a development center in Silicon Valley.

Blue Medora

Series B in 2016
Blue Medora is pioneering total IT system insight without plugins. Its software easily connects system health and performance data--no matter its source--with the world’s leading monitoring and analytics platforms, breaking barriers to today’s IT challenges. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich, Blue Medora helps more than 350 customers to unlock Dimensional Data across their IT stack.

Workit Health

Seed Round in 2016
Workit Health, Inc. is a healthcare technology company that specializes in digital treatment for substance use disorders. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Workit Health offers an online platform that combines interactive therapeutic content with professional counseling services. The platform provides evidence-based treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders, including medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine. Users can access therapeutic recovery curriculums, video consultations with clinicians, online recovery groups, and virtual drug testing from the privacy of their homes. Workit Health serves a diverse range of clients, including employers, schools, hospitals, clinics, and recovery support communities, with additional locations in California, New Jersey, Alaska, and Washington.

Sportsman Tracker

Series A in 2016
Sportsman Tracker is a cross-platform digital toolset designed to increase success opportunities for hunters and fishermen and allow them to quickly share their experiences. Powered by W.I.T. (Wild Life Intelligence Technology), the tracker calculates the variables that directly affect wildlife behavior. The platform lets track species and gets adaptive features that are specific only the species. Founded in 2012 by Jon Schwander and Jeffrey James Courter, Sportsman Tracker is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

HAAS Alert

Seed Round in 2016
HAAS Alert is the leading mobility and smart city data service provider keeping emergency crews, drivers and the public safe through Cellular V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) communication. Drivers and emergency crews use the information to avoid collisions and reduce traffic delays. The HAAS Alert Safety Cloud is a real-time data stream connecting first responders, commercial, municipal, and slow moving fleets with motorists, connected and autonomous vehicles. Connected "smart"​ communities use the service to inform infrastructure, planning and real-time traffic management. The company is currently working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on advanced solutions and has support from leading safety organizations including NSC (National Safety Council), TSR (Together for Safer Roads), FAMA (Fire Apparatus Manufacturers' Association) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association).

Exo

Series A in 2016
Exo is a producer and provider of protein bars made from cricket flour. Its protein bars are a combination of cricket flour with organic ingredients such as raw cacao, dates, almond butter, and coconut to create a bar that is high in protein, low in sugar, nutritionally dense, and packed with omega 3 fatty acids, iron, and calcium that enable users to get sports bar that is free of sugar, gluten, grains, dairy, soy, and artificial preservatives. It was founded in 2014 and is based in Brooklyn, New York.

Magnesium Development

Seed Round in 2016
Magnesium Development Company, LLC is a medical device developer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializing in sports medicine orthopedics. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on innovative applications of its BioMg 250 magnesium alloy technology, which merges the strength and handling characteristics of traditional metals with the ability to fully absorb in the body. This technology addresses several challenges in surgical repairs, such as delayed resorption, mechanical failures, and complications related to existing materials. By providing solutions for soft tissue injuries in areas like the knee, shoulder, and lower extremities, Magnesium Development aims to enhance recovery outcomes and support patients' return to active lifestyles. As the demand for effective treatments in sports-related injuries continues to rise, the company’s breakthroughs in resorbable metal alloys position it as a key player in advancing orthopedic care.

Scanalytics

Seed Round in 2016
Scanalytics Inc. offers software solutions to monitor and analyze customer behavior at retail stores and events. It offers a system that automates and analyzes information for actionable insights; and Analysis Lab, an actionable comparison tool that allows users to fine-tune their operations to create the profit machine. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Notion

Seed Round in 2015
Notion is a smart self-monitoring system that empowers home and property owners to be proactive in protecting their spaces, people, and possessions. The company offers data analytics, intuitive user experience, and an all-in-one, the oreo-sized sensor that allows for real-time alerts ranging from motion and temperature to water leaks and alarms so that customers can be notified of issues at home instantly. The company was established by Brett Jurgens and Ryan Margoles in 2013 and it is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Alsentis

Seed Round in 2015
Alsentis, LLC specializes in the development of touch sensing technology products that utilize touch signatures for surface touch detection. Founded in 2008 and based in Holland, Michigan, the company offers a range of products, including discrete touch button sensor chipsets and development kits. With a technical team boasting over 25 years of experience in thin-film sensing technologies, Alsentis has cultivated a robust intellectual property portfolio that reflects more than 15 years of innovation. The company's expertise encompasses various foundational touch technologies, including HSS™, Electrode Design, Touch System Integration, FieldEffect™ Touch Technology, and Capacitive Touch Technologies, positioning it to deliver innovative solutions in the touch technology sector.

VNN

Venture Round in 2015
VNN, Inc. operates a high school sports marketing and networking platform that enables athletes to share videos, pictures, stories, and scores while allowing coaches to report game results to media outlets. Founded in 2010 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company serves schools across numerous states, including Alabama, California, and Texas. VNN is recognized as the largest and fastest-growing platform of its kind in the United States, catering to a community of over 7 million fans and adding approximately 8,000 fans daily. The platform aggregates the fragmented high school sports market, enhancing the consumer experience by providing digital and Internet advertising and promotional services.

Roost

Series A in 2015
Roost, founded in 2014 and based in Sunnyvale, California, specializes in smart home technology by providing an online platform that enables consumers to upgrade their existing home products into smart connected devices. The company focuses on simplifying the installation process and offers one-step retrofitting solutions, making smart home functionality accessible and affordable. Roost aims to revolutionize the smart home experience by emphasizing ease of use and integration with current household items, allowing users to enhance their living environments without the need for extensive renovations or new installations.

Blue Medora

Series A in 2015
Blue Medora is pioneering total IT system insight without plugins. Its software easily connects system health and performance data--no matter its source--with the world’s leading monitoring and analytics platforms, breaking barriers to today’s IT challenges. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich, Blue Medora helps more than 350 customers to unlock Dimensional Data across their IT stack.

Benefit Mobile

Venture Round in 2015
Benefit is a mobile fundraising solution that lets schools and non-profits raise money without ever asking for a dime. Individuals are invited to download the mobile app and simply shop at any of Benefit's participating national and local retailers. When they use the app at checkout a percentage of the transaction goes to the supported cause of the user's choice. It also enables charitable organizations to raise funds fast with minimal effort and enables users to support the causes they care most about with every purchase, without spending an extra penny.

Odyssey

Venture Round in 2015
Odyssey is an internet company that specializes in social media, publisher, and platform used to democratize content. Its platform allows people to share their thoughts, learn new perspectives, and participate in meaningful conversations on the topics that they care about the most. It enables a positive social impact and personal growth. The company was founded in 2009 and headquartered in New York, United States.

Sportsman Tracker

Series A in 2015
Sportsman Tracker is a cross-platform digital toolset designed to increase success opportunities for hunters and fishermen and allow them to quickly share their experiences. Powered by W.I.T. (Wild Life Intelligence Technology), the tracker calculates the variables that directly affect wildlife behavior. The platform lets track species and gets adaptive features that are specific only the species. Founded in 2012 by Jon Schwander and Jeffrey James Courter, Sportsman Tracker is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Fluency Mobile

Seed Round in 2015
The world gets smaller every day, but language barriers remain. Fluency provides live, on-demand interpreters who speak 200+ languages starting at $5 per minute. We help you connect with anybody, anywhere on your terms. They help you focus on what you do best--opening up new opportunities to grow your business across multiple time zones and cultures.

AOBiome

Series B in 2014
AOBiome, LLC, a biotechnology company, develops topical biologics for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. It focuses on transforming human health through products that restore ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. The company develops therapeutics to improve skin health, hypertension, and other systemic conditions. It also owns the Mother Dirt branded line of consumer products that restore and maintain the balance of the skin biome. AOBiome, LLC was formerly known as NitroCell BioSciences LLC and changed its name to AOBiome, LLC in May 2013. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Roomations

Angel Round in 2014
Roomations is a crowdsourced website that provides homeowners with easy online access to custom design services. The website offers various design resources to guide its users through their home improvement processes such as design visions, style boards, and crib sheets. It also provides interior design services through a network of freelancing design professionals in the United States. Roomations was launched in 2009 and is based in Oak Park, Illinois, United States.

Exo

Seed Round in 2014
Exo is a producer and provider of protein bars made from cricket flour. Its protein bars are a combination of cricket flour with organic ingredients such as raw cacao, dates, almond butter, and coconut to create a bar that is high in protein, low in sugar, nutritionally dense, and packed with omega 3 fatty acids, iron, and calcium that enable users to get sports bar that is free of sugar, gluten, grains, dairy, soy, and artificial preservatives. It was founded in 2014 and is based in Brooklyn, New York.

AdAdapted

Seed Round in 2014
AdAdapted, Inc. is a mobile advertising platform designed for consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands and agencies. Founded in 2012 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company provides a solution that allows CPG brands to directly engage with their target consumers through native, non-disruptive ads in shopping and planning apps. This approach enables brands to reach consumers at critical decision-making moments, helping to integrate products into digital shopping lists. The AdAdapted platform also tracks consumer behavior, revealing preferences, shopping tendencies, and planning habits, thus offering valuable insights to CPG brands and retailers.

Modalyst

Venture Round in 2014
Modalyst, LLC is an online wholesale marketplace that focuses on connecting brands, retailers, designers, and consumers in the fashion industry. Founded in 2012 and based in New York, the company specializes in dropshipping automation for e-commerce businesses, allowing retailers to easily access a wide range of unique fashion accessories and jewelry designers. The platform facilitates the management of supplier relationships, inventory synchronization, and order processing, streamlining operations for online store owners. Modalyst integrates directly with popular e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, Wix, and Bigcommerce, enabling seamless functionality for users seeking to enhance their dropshipping capabilities.

Birdhouse

Angel Round in 2014
Birdhouse is a social enterprise that provides web and smartphone apps to the developmental disabilities community to make caregiving easier and more successful, and to help families thrive.

VNN

Series A in 2014
VNN, Inc. operates a high school sports marketing and networking platform that enables athletes to share videos, pictures, stories, and scores while allowing coaches to report game results to media outlets. Founded in 2010 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company serves schools across numerous states, including Alabama, California, and Texas. VNN is recognized as the largest and fastest-growing platform of its kind in the United States, catering to a community of over 7 million fans and adding approximately 8,000 fans daily. The platform aggregates the fragmented high school sports market, enhancing the consumer experience by providing digital and Internet advertising and promotional services.

BriteHub

Convertible Note in 2014
BriteHub’s software helps bridge old legacy systems into a cloud-based interface that will advance companies and build a strong foundation for the new-age tech savvy workforce that is the next generation of employees. Today, supply chains are managed through a streamlined RFQ to quote to purchase order-tracking system. This interface allows for organized messaging between internal and external stakeholders. Files are stored, shared, and viewable with an in-browser 3D viewer. Engineering change orders and version control are tracked and connected directly with the purchase order they relate to. BriteHub features continue to evolve and lead the way in supply chain management and collaboration.

Silikids

Seed Round in 2014
Silikids is the first silicone feeding brand focusing on tableware products made entirely out of SILICONE. The company combines need-based innovation with the superior advantages of SILICONE, offering an alternative to plastic wares found in the kitchen. It was founded in 2006 and headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan.

Sols

Seed Round in 2013
Sols, Inc. specializes in providing customized orthotic insoles designed to support foot health and alleviate alignment issues. The company's products promote proper gait and relieve pressure on the plantar fascia. Founded in 2013 and based in New York City, Sols operates a software platform and mobile application that allows users to design and purchase personalized orthotics. Its product lineup includes SOLSRx, a medical-grade 3D printed orthotic, and ExoSOLS, custom insoles available directly to consumers. By utilizing advanced computer vision and machine learning technology, Sols aims to enhance the fit of footwear and address issues related to shoe size returns. In 2017, Sols became a subsidiary of Aetrex Worldwide, Inc., further expanding its reach in the orthotic and footwear industries.

CorkCRM

Seed Round in 2013
CorkCRM provides contractors the tools they need to manage their business: sales tracking, appointment setting, electronic proposals and contracts, job scheduling, automatic emails, and payroll.

Respondwell

Seed Round in 2013
RespondWell, LLC, a digital health company, provides a telerehabilitation platform for patients, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, hospital systems, and senior care facilities. It offers prevention modules, rehabilitation modules, clinical content modules, and clinician tools; and assess, assign, engage, and report solutions. The company was formerly known as Respondesign, Inc. RespondWell, LLC was founded in 2003 and is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As of October 27, 2016, RespondWell, LLC operates as a subsidiary of Zimmer Biomet Signature Solutions.

SurgeryEdu

Seed Round in 2013
SurgeryEdu aims to help healthcare professionals educate patients about medical procedures using 3D interactive animations through our tablet based mobile applications. We hope to improve patient satisfaction by facilitating more effective, interactive, and engaging doctor-patient communication. www.surgeryedu.com

GreenLancer

Series A in 2013
GreenLancer is a cloud-based engineering firm that uses proprietary technology and a network of highly qualified engineers to help clients design and sell clean energy systems anywhere in the world. GreenLancer is a platform that brings engineering resources and experience to clients on all sides of the renewable energy industry. GreenLancer provides project development and engineering deliverables and support to clients who are making, selling, buying, or installing clean technology.

GINKGOTREE

Series A in 2013
Ginkgotree is a course content platform for teachers and trainers to build online curriculums. Ginkgotree’s beta launched in October 2012, and their MVP was pushed out at the end of December. They currently have over 250 individual faculty signups, and their first paid pilot is underway with several more institutions jumping on for Summer and Fall 2013.

Chalkfly

Series A in 2013
Chalkfly is reinventing the experience of buying office and school supplies online. With over 50,000 products, 24/7 customer service, a 365 return policy and a mission to change the world - Chalkfly is bringing excitement and purpose to the office supply world. Chalkfly customers can choose a teacher to receive five percent of their purchase. We believe that doing good is good business and we're committed to supporting the communities in which we serve. Founded in late 2012, Chalkfly is ranked as one of the fastest growing e-commerce companies in country (we’re the youngest member of the Internet Retailer’s Second 500 for 2013). Chalkfly is also proud to be ranked as one of Turnstone’s 2013 Best Young Companies To Work For. We’re proudly based in Detroit and through our amazing team and commitment to education, we hope to change the way supplies are bought online. Chalkfly is currently fundraising. We'd welcome the chance to explore partnership opportunities. Please reach out to smile@chalkfly.com if interested. Thank you!

Alsentis

Convertible Note in 2013
Alsentis, LLC specializes in the development of touch sensing technology products that utilize touch signatures for surface touch detection. Founded in 2008 and based in Holland, Michigan, the company offers a range of products, including discrete touch button sensor chipsets and development kits. With a technical team boasting over 25 years of experience in thin-film sensing technologies, Alsentis has cultivated a robust intellectual property portfolio that reflects more than 15 years of innovation. The company's expertise encompasses various foundational touch technologies, including HSS™, Electrode Design, Touch System Integration, FieldEffect™ Touch Technology, and Capacitive Touch Technologies, positioning it to deliver innovative solutions in the touch technology sector.

Blue Medora

Seed Round in 2013
Blue Medora is pioneering total IT system insight without plugins. Its software easily connects system health and performance data--no matter its source--with the world’s leading monitoring and analytics platforms, breaking barriers to today’s IT challenges. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich, Blue Medora helps more than 350 customers to unlock Dimensional Data across their IT stack.

Local Orbit

Seed Round in 2012
Local Orbit has evolved through two years of conversations with farmers, food producers, chefs, eaters and people working to solve food distribution challenges. They’ve heard countless stories about disconnected markets and inefficient communications. They serve every link in this food chain beautifully, by providing an elegant platform for multi-channel sales, streamlined purchasing and efficient business management.

eXo Platform

Seed Round in 2008
eXo Platform SAS is a provider of Java middleware for cloud services, specializing in open source social collaboration solutions. The company offers a range of products including the eXo Platform, which enables developers to enhance applications; GateIn, an open source portal framework; and eXo Portal, which centralizes access to personalized content and applications. Other offerings include eXo WebOS for intuitive portal interfaces, eXo Wallet for digital payments, and various tools for web content management, workflow design, collaboration, and knowledge management. eXo's solutions serve a diverse range of sectors, including government, financial services, and telecommunications, through strategic partnerships, notably with Red Hat. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Paris, France, eXo operates globally with additional offices in the United States, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Vietnam.