The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

Service Provider Capital is a venture capital firm established in 2014 and located in Golden, Colorado. The firm focuses on co-investing in seed and series A rounds, primarily in collaboration with institutional venture funds. It targets a diverse range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, cannabis, cybersecurity, e-commerce, education technology, fintech, hardware, information technology, robotics, and health. By concentrating on these industries, Service Provider Capital aims to support innovative companies at critical stages of their development.

Lilly Endowment is an independent private foundation located in Indianapolis, Indiana, established in 1937. Its mission centers on providing sustainable support for religion, education, and community development. The foundation places a strong emphasis on initiatives that benefit young people and foster leadership education and financial self-sufficiency within the nonprofit and charitable sectors. Additionally, it supports programs aimed at enhancing higher education opportunities for African Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans across the United States, focusing on projects that align with its commitment to community enrichment and empowerment.

Elevate Capital, established in 2016, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, with an additional office in Portland. The company specializes in investing in early-stage technology and tech-enabled businesses, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest region, particularly the Portland Oregon Metro area and Willamette Valley. Elevate Capital targets minority investments in startups, early-stage, and bridge rounds, with typical investment sizes ranging from $0.03 million to $0.5 million. The firm's portfolio spans various sectors, including SaaS, consumer packaged goods, life science, and technology, among others. Elevate Capital is committed to diversity and inclusion, maintaining a 50/50 male/female founder split and ensuring that at least one co-founder in each investment is from a minority group.

Serra Ventures, established in 2008 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage technology companies. It invests primarily in the Midwest and Southern California regions of the United States, with a sector focus on information technology, deep technology, instrumentation, B2B, software as a service, devices, and agricultural technologies.

Advantage Capital, established in 1992, is a venture capital firm specializing in growth equity, lending, and mezzanine debt capital investments. It focuses on small businesses, particularly those in low-income communities and underserved areas, supporting state and local economic development efforts. The firm invests across various industries, including manufacturing, technology, business services, and renewable energy, with a typical initial investment range of $0.5 million to $10 million. Advantage Capital provides debt capital in forms such as senior debt, subordinated loans, and government-guaranteed lending, as well as equity capital to real estate development firms. It operates from multiple offices across the United States, with a headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana.

M25, established in 2015, is a Chicago-based venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage technology startups across the Midwest. Led by Victor Gutwein and Mike Asem, the firm has invested in over 90 companies across 11 states, spanning various industries such as software, TMT, analytics, big data, and more. M25's strategic, collaborative approach has positioned it as a significant player in the region's startup ecosystem.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a leading biomedical research facility in the United States, operating under the Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1887 and based in Bethesda, Maryland, NIH is the primary agency responsible for biomedical and health-related research in the country. It comprises 27 separate institutes and centers, each focusing on different disciplines within biomedical science. NIH conducts its own scientific research through the Intramural Research Program and provides significant funding for research at external institutions via the Extramural Research Program. With a workforce that includes 1,200 principal investigators and over 4,000 postdoctoral fellows, NIH has been instrumental in major medical breakthroughs, such as the development of vaccines for hepatitis and human papillomavirus, as well as the discovery of treatments for various health conditions. As the world's largest source of medical research funding, NIH continues to advance scientific knowledge and contribute to public health improvements.

Red Cedar Ventures (RCV), established in 2014, is a venture capital firm based in East Lansing, Michigan, and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the MSU Research Foundation. It is recognized as the first venture fund in mid-Michigan, focusing on early-stage investments in high-tech startups that are commercializing intellectual property developed at Michigan State University. RCV aims to support the growth of technology-focused entrepreneurs and companies throughout the state, fostering innovation and economic development in the region.

Cultivation Capital, established in 2012 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investing. It manages a family of funds, primarily focusing on seed to series B-stage investments in the United States. The firm concentrates on four key industries: life sciences and health tech, software and IT, agriculture tech, and geospatial tech. Cultivation Capital typically invests $500k to $3.5M in startups during their Seed or Series A phase, with the potential for follow-on investments.

Michigan Rise is a venture capital firm established in 2020 and based in East Lansing, Michigan. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Michigan State University Research Foundation, it focuses on investing in technology startups within the state. The firm prioritizes sectors such as advanced automotive and mobility, advanced manufacturing and materials, agricultural processing technology, alternative energy, homeland security and defense technology, information technology, life sciences, therapeutics, and medical devices. Michigan Rise aims to support the commercialization of innovative technologies by providing capital, coaching, and assistance with grant funding to Michigan entrepreneurs and startups, thereby contributing to the region's economic development.

Capital Midwest Fund, established in 2006, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Mequon, Wisconsin. The company focuses on investing in early-stage, growth-oriented businesses across various sectors, including life sciences, information technology, advanced manufacturing, B2B, and healthcare, with a regional emphasis on the Central United States and the Midwest.

Rev1 Ventures, established in 2005, is a Columbus, Ohio-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups across various sectors, including enterprise software, digital health, life sciences, and more. With over $100 million in capital under management, Rev1 provides not only funding but also strategic services to help startups scale and corporates innovate. It facilitates connections between entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and research institutions to access markets and customers, fostering company growth. Rev1 has been recognized as one of the most active venture capital firms in the Great Lakes region.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), established in 1999, is a public-private partnership agency based in Lansing, Michigan. It is dedicated to fostering economic growth and job creation across the state. The MEDC achieves this by offering a range of business assistance services and capital programs, including business attraction and acceleration, entrepreneurship support, talent enhancement initiatives, and urban and community development projects. Additionally, it promotes tourism, film, and digital media industries, as well as arts and cultural affairs, through various incentives and grants. The MEDC works with businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities both locally and globally to strengthen Michigan's economy.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., established in 1869, is a global leader in investment banking, securities, and investment management. It operates in four primary segments: Investment Banking, Institutional Client Services, Investing & Lending, and Investment Management. The company provides a wide range of services, including financial advisory services for mergers and acquisitions, underwriting services for various securities, client execution services for fixed income, currencies, commodities, and equities, securities services, and wealth advisory services. It serves a diverse client base comprising corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net-worth individuals. Additionally, Goldman Sachs invests in a broad array of asset classes, including debt securities, equity securities, real estate, and private equity, demonstrating its commitment to driving growth and innovation across industries.

Enhanced Capital, established in 1999, is a New York-based investment firm managing over $400 million. It specializes in providing flexible equity and debt financing to small and mid-sized businesses, promoting their growth and expansion. The firm's investment approach is practical and tailored, aiming to maximize the growth potential of companies poised for rapid growth. Enhanced Capital also invests in renewable energy, historic real estate rehabilitation, and affordable housing projects, often leveraging federal and state incentive programs.

Alumni Ventures Group, LLC is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in seed and early-stage investments, as well as late-stage pre-IPO opportunities, with a flexible approach that is sector and geographic agnostic. Alumni Ventures aims to provide high-quality, diversified venture portfolios to individual investors, particularly accredited alumni from top entrepreneurial schools, who may not have had access to venture capital previously. The firm focuses on backing companies that have an alumni connection and are led by established institutional investors with expertise in their respective fields. Additionally, Alumni Ventures offers focused funds that enable accredited investors to access a diverse portfolio of investments across various types, sectors, stages, and geographies.

Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center (BRCC) is a venture capital firm based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, established in 2003 by the Michigan Legislature and affiliated with Western Michigan University. It focuses on funding startups in the life sciences sector, specifically targeting pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics. The BRCC aims to support companies with a significant presence in Michigan, particularly those linked to Southwest Michigan. With investments typically ranging from $25,000 to $250,000, the center provides essential startup and gap funding to entrepreneurs and scientists as they transition their innovations into the commercialization phase. Drawing on Kalamazoo's rich history in the pharmaceutical industry, the BRCC is well-positioned to leverage local scientific talent and expertise, contributing to a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

Invest Nebraska Corporation, founded in 2002 and located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a venture capital firm that focuses on seed, early-stage, and growth capital investments across various sectors, including Internet-of-Things, medical devices, financial technology, cloud services, food technology, e-commerce, insurance technology, agriculture technology, healthcare software, biotechnology, life sciences, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. The firm primarily invests in companies based in Nebraska or those willing to relocate to the state, typically committing around $250,000 to businesses with revenues up to $1 million. Invest Nebraska may provide funding through equity, debt, or convertible debt instruments and often seeks a position on the Board of Directors or its subcommittees. The firm is dedicated to fostering economic growth in Nebraska by supporting high-impact entrepreneurs and collaborating with strategic partners, government entities, and educational institutions.

Hyde Park Venture Partners, established in 2011, is a Chicago-based venture capital firm focusing on early-stage technology companies in the Midwest. It invests in seed and Series A rounds, typically allocating $0.1 to $2.5 million per company. The firm targets software, SaaS, and tech-enabled businesses, with a particular interest in those led by University of Chicago alumni. Hyde Park Venture Partners takes an active role in mentoring and guiding portfolio companies, often co-investing with Hyde Park Angels.

OCA Ventures, established in 1999 and headquartered in Chicago, is a private equity firm specializing in early-stage investments. The company focuses on equity investments in high-growth potential technology and scalable services businesses, with a particular emphasis on digital health, fintech, consumer software, and enterprise software sectors within the United States.

Bain Capital, established in 1984, is a global multi-asset alternative investment firm with over $100 billion in assets under management. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the firm operates through several business units: Private Equity, Public Equity, Credit, and Venture Capital. Bain Capital Private Equity invests in various sectors, including consumer, healthcare, industrials, and technology, across North America, Europe, and Asia. Bain Capital Ventures, the venture capital arm, focuses on seed to growth-stage investments in enterprise software, infrastructure software, and industries being transformed by data. Bain Capital Life Sciences, a dedicated life sciences investment platform, invests in biopharmaceutical, specialty pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, and enabling life science technology companies globally. Bain Capital Double Impact, the firm's impact investing arm, builds great companies that deliver both competitive financial returns and meaningful, measurable social and environmental good.

Norwest Mezzanine Partners, established in 2000, is a Minneapolis-based investment firm that provides junior capital solutions to middle market companies backed by private equity firms. It focuses on driving value and successful outcomes for all stakeholders by investing across various industries, including business services, consumer, healthcare, and industrials. The firm operates from offices in Minneapolis and West Palm Beach, and it has an affiliation with Norwest Equity Partners, a middle market equity investment firm with a history dating back to 1961.

General Catalyst is a venture capital firm established in 2000, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with additional offices in North America and Europe. The company specializes in early-stage and growth equity investments, focusing on technology-driven businesses. It invests across various sectors, including consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, health assurance, and crypto. General Catalyst provides not only capital but also mentorship and resources to accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies. To date, it has managed eight venture capital funds, totaling approximately $3.75 billion in capital commitments.

Drive Capital, established in 2012, is a Columbus, Ohio-based venture capital firm focused on investing in innovative technology, healthcare, and consumer companies in the Midwest. The firm seeks to partner with audacious entrepreneurs addressing large market opportunities, with a particular interest in information technology, financial services, and mobile sectors. Drive Capital invests at various stages, from seed to later-stage, with a flexible investment size ranging from $100,000 to tens of millions. The firm's mission is to support entrepreneurs building large, sustainable companies in the Heartland region, stretching from Pittsburgh to Kansas City to Minneapolis.

Insight Partners, established in 1995, is a global private equity and venture capital firm headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto. The company specializes in investing in growth-stage technology and software companies, with a particular focus on sectors such as Fintech, Cybersecurity, AI/ML, DevOps, and Healthcare. As of December 31, 2022, Insight Partners has over $75 billion in regulatory assets under management. The firm has invested in more than 750 companies worldwide and has seen over 55 portfolio companies achieve an IPO. Insight Partners' mission is to partner with visionary executives, providing practical, hands-on software expertise along their growth journey, from initial investment to IPO.

CincyTech, established in 2006, is a Cincinnati-based venture capital firm focused on transforming innovation into venture-worthy companies, primarily in southwest Ohio. The firm provides advice and capital to entrepreneurs, helping research institutions commercialize technology through startups, and catalyzes investment from various sources. CincyTech specializes in seed-stage investments, targeting sectors such as information technology, healthcare, life sciences, and technology-based companies. The firm has raised multiple funds, with its most recent, CincyTech Fund V, investing in up to 25 companies over five years, focusing on high-potential life science and technology startups in or willing to move to southwest Ohio. CincyTech is supported by Ohio Third Frontier, foundations, corporations, municipalities, and individual investors, with founding partners including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the University of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a prominent venture capital firm established in 1977, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with additional offices in the U.S., India, and China. NEA specializes in investing in technology and healthcare sectors, with a focus on enterprise, consumer, fintech, life sciences, and digital health companies. The firm engages with entrepreneurs at various stages of business development, providing support from initial funding to public offerings. NEA invests globally, with a significant presence in Asia, including China and India, as well as the United States. The firm typically invests between $0.05 million and $20 million per deal.

FJ Labs, established in 2015 and headquartered in New York, is a stage-agnostic investment firm focusing on marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. It invests in seed and series A rounds, with a typical investment range of $50,000 to $5,000,000. The firm's portfolio includes notable companies such as Alibaba Group, Beepi, BrightRoll, Betterment, Adore Me, and Earnest, spanning sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and ad tech.

Allos Ventures, established in 2010, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. The company focuses on investing in early-stage, revenue-generating B2B software and technology-enabled service companies based in the Midwest. Allos Ventures partners with entrepreneurs to accelerate growth and build value in these businesses, typically investing between $3 million to $7 million per company.

High Alpha, established in 2015 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a B2B SaaS venture studio that conceives, launches, and scales B2B SaaS companies. It provides comprehensive studio services, including design, finance, talent acquisition, marketing, branding, and go-to-market strategies. High Alpha also invests in its studio companies and other emerging B2B SaaS startups through its venture capital arm, High Alpha Capital, focusing on Series A and seed rounds. This unique venture studio model aims to reduce friction, increase velocity, and help companies achieve enterprise scale.

Right Side Capital Management, established in 2010, is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage technology investments. It focuses on funding pre-seed rounds, making 75-100 investments annually in startups outside major tech hubs, with pre-money valuations typically ranging from $1M to $3M. The firm prefers capital-efficient businesses and aims to provide a swift investment decision, usually within two weeks. Since 2012, RSCM has invested in approximately 200 companies across 19 U.S. states and several international locations, including Canada, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe.

H.I.G. Capital, LLC, established in 1993 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, is a global private equity firm specializing in providing capital and operational support to small and medium-sized companies. The firm invests in various sectors, including business services, consumer goods, healthcare, industrials, and technology, with a focus on the United States, Europe, and Latin America. H.I.G. Capital typically invests between $3 million and $100 million in companies with enterprise values ranging from $25 million to $1 billion, offering both debt and equity capital. The firm's investment strategy includes leveraged buyouts, growth equity, and recapitalizations, aiming to support undermanaged or underperforming companies through operational improvements and strategic growth initiatives.

Chicago Ventures, established in 2011, is a Chicago-based venture capital firm focusing on seed-stage and early-stage investments. It partners with exceptional entrepreneurs building companies in undercapitalized, high-potential ecosystems, primarily in the Chicago area and the broader Midwest region. The firm invests in tech-enabled startups, with a particular interest in software, digital health, e-commerce, fintech, and healthtech sectors. Chicago Ventures typically allocates USD 250,000 to USD 2 million per investment, supporting around 25-27 companies per fund.

Pritzker Group Venture Capital, established in 1996, is a venture capital firm that supports entrepreneurs in building and growing technology companies. Based in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices in Los Angeles, California, the firm invests in information technology companies across various stages, from seed to late-stage, with a focus on Series A and B rounds. Pritzker Group Venture Capital typically invests between $2 million and $8 million initially, with a total commitment of up to $20 million per company. The firm concentrates on sectors such as commerce, enterprise applications, consumer technology, healthcare IT, and emerging technologies. With a portfolio of over 150 companies, Pritzker Group Venture Capital has facilitated numerous successful exits, including Fleetmatics, SinglePlatform, and Playdom. The firm operates as a subsidiary of Pritzker Group and is known for its flexible capital structure and strategic guidance provided by its experienced team of investment professionals and entrepreneurs.

Conagra Brands is a leading packaged food company primarily operating in the United States, where it generates over 90% of its revenue. The company specializes in a diverse range of products, with a significant focus on frozen foods, including well-known brands such as Marie Callender's, Healthy Choice, Banquet, and Birds Eye. In addition to frozen offerings, Conagra also markets snacks, shelf-stable staples, and refrigerated foods under various brands, including Duncan Hines, Hunt's, Slim Jim, Vlasic, Orville Redenbacher's, Reddi-wip, Wish-Bone, and Chef Boyardee. The company primarily distributes its products through the retail channel, with a smaller portion of its revenue coming from international markets and foodservice. Conagra Brands also engages in philanthropic efforts through its foundation, which provides support to nonprofits that offer essential programs and services to diverse communities across the country.

Blackstone, founded in 1985, is a global investment firm headquartered in New York. It manages capital on behalf of pension funds and large institutions across various alternative asset classes, including private equity, real estate, debt, and real assets. The firm also offers fund of funds and multi-manager programs. Blackstone operates globally with offices in key financial hubs and is led by Chairman and CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman, President and COO Jonathan Gray, and Executive Vice Chairman Hamilton E. "Tony" James.

ECMC Foundation is a Los Angeles-based organization established in 2000, dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes, particularly for underserved populations, through evidence-based innovation. As part of the ECMC Group enterprise, it focuses on two primary areas: College Success and Career Readiness. The foundation provides grants and engages in program-related investments in both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, aimed at fostering improvements in post-secondary education and initiatives. Its overarching vision is to empower all learners to realize their full potential and attain family-sustaining wages.

Silicon Valley Bank, established in 1983, is a leading commercial bank headquartered in Santa Clara, California. It specializes in providing a wide array of financial services, including banking, treasury management, and international banking, to innovative technology, life science, and premium wine businesses, as well as venture capital and private equity firms. With a global presence through 27 U.S. offices and seven international operations, the bank leverages its industry knowledge, connections, and world-class service to support the success of its clients.

Detroit Venture Partners, LLC, established in 2010, is a Detroit-based Venture Capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, primarily in the United States with a focus on the Detroit and Ontario regions. The firm specializes in growth capital investments, typically ranging from $0.25 million to $0.75 million per transaction, and may follow on with investments up to $3 million. Detroit Venture Partners concentrates on sectors such as internet, digital media, marketing technology, direct-to-consumer, sports and entertainment, social media, e-commerce, and software, excluding biotech and advanced manufacturing. The firm's mission is to support passionate entrepreneurs building meaningful companies, with a particular interest in helping to revitalize the Detroit area through entrepreneurial efforts.

Beringea is an international venture capital and private equity firm founded in 1988, with headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and additional offices in London and Manchester. The firm specializes in equity and debt investments in expansion or small buy-out stage companies across various sectors, including media, healthcare, life sciences, internet technologies, advanced manufacturing, clean tech, and specialized consumer goods. Beringea currently manages over 60 portfolio companies and is recognized for its role as co-manager of the Michigan Growth Capital Partners Funds in the U.S. and the ProVen VCT family of funds in the UK. With a combination of capital, experience, and a transatlantic presence, Beringea provides entrepreneurs with the resources needed to develop strategies, evaluate growth opportunities, and enhance company value.

Jump Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices in New York. The firm specializes in investing in data-driven technology companies, focusing on sectors such as FinTech, B2B SaaS, IT/Data Infrastructure, and Media. Jump Capital adopts a thesis-led and sector-focused approach, primarily targeting Seed and Series A stages. The firm emphasizes collaboration with talented management teams that value a trusted partner with operational expertise. Jump Capital typically makes initial investments ranging from $2 million to $10 million and provides extensive advocacy and support through a robust platform of institutional-level resources for entrepreneurs.

Baird Capital, established in 1989, is a global investment firm specializing in private equity and venture capital. It focuses on lower middle-market and mature companies, primarily in the United States and Europe, with additional presence in Asia. Baird Capital invests in various sectors such as healthcare, technology-enabled services, industrial technology, and financial technology. The firm seeks controlling ownership in companies with revenues between $15.99 million and $159.94 million, EBITDA between $3.2 million and $12.79 million, and enterprise values between $10 million and $159.94 million. Baird Capital works closely with company executives and founders to build world-class businesses, leveraging its deep sector knowledge and global network of investment professionals.

Gener8tor, established in 2012 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a nationally recognized accelerator that invests in and supports high-growth startups. It is industry-agnostic, accepting startups across all sectors and business models, including software, IT, web, SaaS, life science, MedTech, e-commerce, and hardware. The program provides accepted startups with $100,000 in funding and 12 weeks of mentorship-driven programming, facilitated by a network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors, and venture capitalists. Gener8tor is a member of the Global Accelerator Network (GAN).

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government established in 1953 to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns in the United States. The SBA's mission is to help Americans start, build, and grow businesses by providing loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions, and other forms of assistance. Through a network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The SBA's programs include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, outreach to women, minorities, and armed forces veterans, as well as providing loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade.

Revolution Growth, established in 2005, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an additional office in San Francisco. The company focuses on growth-stage investments, typically committing between $25 million to $50 million per company. Revolution Growth targets a broad range of sectors, including technology, media, financial services, healthcare, and consumer products. The firm seeks to partner with entrepreneurs disrupting traditional industries and supports them with its specialized expertise.

Ulu Ventures, established in 2008, is a Palo Alto-based venture capital firm specializing in seed-stage and early-stage investments. The firm primarily focuses on technology-enabled services, educational technology, and legal informatics within the internet industry, targeting internet-enabled consumer and business services. Ulu Ventures also considers investments in digital media, mobile, IoT, EdTech, FinTech, and other emerging tech sectors. The firm typically invests in the San Francisco Bay Area, co-investing with others to cumulatively invest between $500,000 and $1 million. Ulu Ventures aims to invest where there is a viable exit strategy, with a track record of over 30 investments in the last three years.

Cleveland Avenue is a venture capital investment firm established in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The firm specializes in investing in a range of sectors, including food and beverage companies, lifestyle consumer brands, agricultural technology, and technology firms. As a registered investment adviser, Cleveland Avenue focuses on seed-stage, early-stage, later-stage, and growth-stage opportunities, aiming to support innovative companies that align with its strategic interests.

Invest Detroit, established in 1995, is a Detroit-based real estate lending firm that provides debt financing to small and middle-market companies. Its venture capital arm, Invest Detroit Ventures, founded in 2010, invests in early-stage, IP-based technology companies across various sectors, with a focus on Michigan-based businesses. Both entities aim to foster a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering capital, mentorship, and community engagement, with a commitment to supporting minority, immigrant, and women entrepreneurs.