The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency in the United States that funds and supports research and education in science and engineering. It funds fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and administers non-dilutive funding programs to aid early‑stage technology development, helping translate discoveries into commercially viable products and services. Through grants and fellowships, the NSF supports researchers, educators, and startups, contributing to innovation and U.S. competitiveness. The agency operates with a substantial budget to advance science, engineering, and STEM education nationwide.

Service Provider Capital is a venture capital firm established in 2014 and based in Colorado. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, notably seed-stage opportunities, and participates as a co-investor in Series A rounds led by institutional venture funds. Its portfolio interests span a broad range of technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, cybersecurity, e-commerce, education technology, fintech, hardware, information technology, robotics, health, and cannabis.

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.

M25 is a Chicago-based venture capital firm established in 2015 by Victor Gutwein and Mike Asem, focused on funding pre-seed and seed-stage technology startups in the Midwest. The firm supports portfolio companies across multiple industries, with a regional footprint spanning 24 Midwest cities in 11 states. Since its inception, M25 has backed more than 90 early-stage tech startups, aiming to accelerate growth and strengthen the Midwest startup ecosystem.

Capital Midwest Fund is a venture capital firm based in Mequon, Wisconsin. It specializes in early-stage investments across various sectors including life sciences, information technology, advanced manufacturing, B2B, and healthcare, with a focus on companies located in the Midwest region of the United States.

Advantage Capital Partners is a United States‑based venture capital firm that provides growth equity, debt, and mezzanine financing to small and mid‑market companies, with a focus on underserved communities and state and local economic development. The firm invests across sectors including manufacturing, technology, business services, life sciences, and energy, and also supports real estate development projects with equity and debt. It typically makes initial investments ranging roughly from half a million to ten million in companies with modest sales, and may participate in larger follow‑on rounds or co‑invest with other firms. It uses senior debt, mezzanine debt, subordinated loans, and government‑guaranteed lending, and often pursues equity positions through preferred shares or convertible notes. Advantage Capital operates nationwide in the United States, with roots in New Orleans and offices in multiple states, and has backed thousands of jobs and housing projects as part of its mission to expand inclusive economic growth.

Serra Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Champaign, Illinois, founded in 1998, that invests in technology companies across the United States and in select international locations. It focuses on early-stage and growth-stage opportunities in information technology, deep technology, instrumentation, software as a service, devices, B2B, and agricultural technologies, with an emphasis on companies in the Midwest and West Coast regions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) leads initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. It aims to expand markets for agricultural products globally, foster alternative markets domestically, improve rural infrastructure, enhance food safety, promote nutrition education, and manage public lands collaboratively.

Founded in 2006, CincyTech is a venture capital firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It focuses on investing in early-stage companies operating primarily in Southwest Ohio, with a focus on information technology and healthcare sectors.

Founded in 2012, Drive Capital is a venture capital firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. It invests in innovative technology, healthcare, and consumer companies across the Midwest region.

Founded in 2011, Hyde Park Venture Partners is a Chicago-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments. It focuses on high-growth technology startups across the Midwest, with an emphasis on software and tech-enabled businesses. The firm typically invests between $0.1 million to $2.5 million, co-investing with Hyde Park Angels. They actively mentor portfolio companies, supporting product development, business strategy, financing, and exit strategies.

Michigan Rise is a venture capital firm focused on funding Michigan technology startups to commercialize innovative technologies and spur economic development. Established in 2020 and headquartered in East Lansing, it operates as a subsidiary of the Michigan State University Foundation and administers the Pre-Seed Fund III with support from the foundation and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Through capital investments, coaching, and grant-funding assistance, Michigan Rise supports entrepreneurs across Michigan in sectors including 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. The firm partners with Michigan's tech ecosystem, including programs like Red Cedar Ventures and Spartan Innovations, to advance commercialization of new intellectual property and strengthen the state's economy.

Elevate Capital is a venture capital firm based in Hillsboro, Oregon, established in 2016. It focuses on seed and early-stage investments across the United States, with a regional emphasis on the Pacific Northwest and Portland metro area. The firm targets technology-enabled startups and seeks to diversify founder representation, supporting ventures founded by underrepresented entrepreneurs. Elevate Capital typically participates in early rounds and makes minority investments, providing more than capital through advisory support and access to networks to aid long-term growth. Portfolio scope includes software, life sciences, hardware, consumer products, fintech, healthcare, sustainability, and related technology sectors.

Founded in 2010, Allos Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Carmel, Indiana. The firm invests in early-stage B2B software and business services companies across the Midwest, focusing on accelerating growth and building value for these businesses.

Sandalphon Capital is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in technology-driven sectors. It specializes in Seed & Bridge rounds, Series A, and occasionally Pre-Seed rounds, with investment amounts typically ranging from $100 thousand to $300 thousand. The firm concentrates on Real Estate Tech, FinTech, InsurTech, RegTech, HealthcareIT, tech-enabled healthcare services, SaaS, marketplaces, IoT, hardware with recurring revenue, and food and beverages. Sandalphon Capital prefers investments in the United States, with a core focus on Chicago and the Midwest, as well as underserved regional markets.

Founded in 2000, Blue Point Capital Partners is a private equity firm headquartered in Cleveland with offices across the U.S. and China. It partners with entrepreneurs to invest in and grow lower middle-market companies, focusing on manufacturing, business services, and value-added distribution sectors. The firm manages over $800 million across two institutional funds, providing strategic resources while maintaining a regional approach. Blue Point's Operating Executive Group offers mentorship to management teams, and its Shanghai office facilitates global expansion strategies.

Founded in 1993, H.I.G. Capital is a global private investment firm specializing in providing debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized companies worldwide. The firm focuses on industries such as manufacturing, business services, consumer goods, healthcare, industrials, and information technology, with a particular emphasis on IT services and software. H.I.G. Capital invests across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, typically in companies with enterprise values between $25 million and $1 billion.

O2 Investment Partners is a private equity firm based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, founded in 2010. The firm targets lower middle-market opportunities across the United States and Canada, with a focus on manufacturing, niche industrials, B2B services, and technology-enabled businesses, and it pursues majority positions in founder- or family-owned companies. O2 seeks earnings growth potential and a clear path to value creation, emphasizing partnerships with management to build and grow portfolio companies to the next stage. Investment activity typically ranges from about $1 million to $20 million of equity per platform, with revenue and enterprise value scales roughly in the tens of millions. Add-on acquisitions are common to expand platforms, with configurations including turnarounds, recapitalizations, and carve-outs when appropriate. The firm concentrates its activity in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions and in selected markets nationwide and in Canada, often pursuing family-owned or owner-entrepreneurial businesses that can benefit from operational improvements and strategic consolidation.

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.

Rev1 Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Columbus, Ohio. Established in 2005, it focuses on seed-stage investments across various sectors including enterprise software, digital health, life sciences, food tech, advanced materials, and alternative energy. With over $100 million under management, Rev1 provides strategic services alongside capital to help startups scale and corporates innovate.

Flint Hills Resources is an independent refining, chemicals, and biofuels company headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Koch Industries, it has developed a diverse portfolio of products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, ethanol, biodiesel, liquefied natural gas, polymers, and various intermediate chemicals. The company operates refineries in Alaska, Minnesota, and Texas with a combined capacity of approximately 670,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Flint Hills Resources also runs multiple ethanol plants in Iowa and Nebraska, producing a total of 550 million gallons annually, and is a significant purchaser of ethanol in Minnesota. Through strategic investments and acquisitions exceeding $7.6 billion since 2002, the company aims to enhance its operational capabilities while meeting customer demands in the refining and chemical sectors. Its manufacturing facilities, located in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas, produce essential materials used in numerous industries, including automotive and packaging. Flint Hills Resources is committed to efficient resource utilization and community involvement, striving to create value for both its customers and society at large.

Evergreen Climate Innovations, originally known as Clean Energy Trust, is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, that focuses on providing catalytic capital and support to entrepreneurs and startups developing impactful climate technologies. Founded in 2010, Evergreen's mission is to foster innovation in the Greater Midwest by aligning philanthropic and corporate contributions through its 501vc® Investment Fund. This approach aims to deliver significant environmental, economic, and social impact. Over the past decade, Evergreen has successfully invested in numerous startups, achieving an impressive leverage of $41 raised for every $1 invested. The organization is dedicated to cultivating a robust ecosystem of investors, donors, and collaborators to advance climate solutions in the region.

Alumni Ventures Group is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with offices across North America. It provides access to venture investing for individual accredited investors, particularly alumni networks, by offering diversified portfolios of venture opportunities and allowing members to invest alongside fellow alumni in ventures led by peers. The firm backs early-stage and later-stage opportunities across technology, consumer, healthcare, financial services, and other sectors, with a sector- and geography-agnostic approach. It typically invests between $10,000 and $3 million per deal and emphasizes the involvement of alumni connections and an institutional lead investor in opportunities. Alumni Ventures also offers focused funds to broaden participation, enabling accredited investors to access venture portfolios diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. The model aims to democratize access to venture capital while maintaining rigorous selection standards through alumni networks.

Founded in 1999, Enhanced Capital Partners is a New York-based investment firm managing over $400 million. It specializes in equity and debt investments for small to mid-sized companies across various sectors, with a focus on healthcare technology systems and TMT industries.

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.

National Institutes of Health is a biomedical research agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, based in Bethesda, Maryland. It is the primary U.S. government organization devoted to biomedical and health research, conducting science through the Intramural Research Program and funding external research through the Extramural Research Program. The NIH comprises 27 institutes and centers and supports about 1,200 principal investigators and more than 4,000 postdoctoral fellows across basic, translational, and clinical research. It has contributed to major advances such as vaccines and therapies and is dedicated to advancing knowledge and translating discoveries into improvements in public health. Established in 1887, NIH operates as a central hub for medical research in the United States.

Founded in 2017, Tamarind Hill is a venture capital firm based in Dublin, Ohio. It provides entrepreneurial stage capital to SaaS companies focused on B2B markets such as healthcare IT and enterprise IT, primarily investing throughout the Midwestern U.S.

Goldman Sachs is a global financial services firm that provides investment banking, securities, and investment management services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals. It advises on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and other corporate actions; underwrites public offerings and debt; and helps clients raise capital through various markets. The firm engages in market making and client execution across fixed income, currencies, commodities, and equities, and offers securities services including financing and lending to institutional clients. Its asset management and wealth advisory businesses manage assets and provide investment solutions for a broad client base, including institutions and individuals. Headquartered in New York, the company serves clients worldwide and operates across multiple business lines to support capital formation, risk management, and investment activities.

Madison Dearborn Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm that specializes in management buyouts and middle-market transactions, with growth capital and structured equity investments. It targets a broad mix of sectors including basic industries, technology and software, financial services, healthcare, telecom, media and technology services, consumer, and real estate, with emphasis on North America and the Midwest. The firm typically makes investments of roughly $100 million to $600 million, often taking a majority stake and a board seat, and aims to exit within five to seven years. Founded in 1992, Madison Dearborn Partners works with management teams to create long-term value.

Arboretum Ventures is a Michigan-based venture capital firm, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Ann Arbor. It focuses on seed-, early-, mid-, and growth-stage investments in the healthcare sector, including services, medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare information technology, therapeutics, life science tools, and technology-enabled health care delivery. The firm makes investments across the United States, with emphasis on the Midwest and Michigan, partnering with companies at various stages to support growth in healthcare. Arboretum Ventures operates as a specialized investor in healthcare, aiming to back companies developing novel tools and technologies that advance patient care.

KB Partners, LLC, established in 1996, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Highland Park, Illinois. The company specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on the intersection of sports and technology. KB Partners typically invests between $1 million and $5 million in passionate innovators and experienced managers, aiming to build dominant new enterprises. The firm's investment focus includes sports-related products, services, and technologies, as well as internet products and services, information technology, and data analytics opportunities. KB Partners takes an active approach, working in partnership with entrepreneurs to help grow their businesses.

DOM Capital Group is a private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2007. The firm specializes in direct investments in emerging growth stage companies, focusing primarily on the food and beverage sectors, including organic and natural products, as well as restaurants and food distribution. DOM Capital Group targets investments in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and West Coast regions. The firm typically invests between $0.5 million to $10 million in companies with annual sales ranging from $10 million to $200 million and EBITDA between $1 million and $20 million.

Grand Ventures is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based venture capital firm founded in 2017 that specializes in seed and early-stage technology investments in the United States and Canada. The firm backs startups in B2B software and a range of technology-enabled sectors, including fintech, supply chain and logistics, digital health and healthcare IT, and developer tools, with additional focus on industries such as agriculture, food, manufacturing, transportation and mobility, and energy. It targets opportunities in the Midwest and Michigan and emphasizes added value through its Advisory Board network to help entrepreneurs sharpen strategy, build teams, and pursue successful exits.

Founded in 2000, Synetro Group is a private investment firm based in Chicago. It specializes in seed and early-stage investments in web-based technology and business services companies, with a focus on B2B internet, SaaS, software, distribution, and manufacturing sectors.

Founded in 2000, Norwest Mezzanine Partners is a Minnesota-based investment firm that provides junior capital solutions to middle market companies across various industries. It partners with private equity firms to drive value for portfolio companies and create successful outcomes for stakeholders.

Established in 2015, VCapital is a venture capital firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It focuses on investing in early-stage companies within the information technology sector, including software-as-a-service, mobile applications, big data, cleantech, digital health, life sciences, and education technology across the Midwest region.

The Michigan Capital Network is a prominent investment group dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in Michigan and the broader Midwest region. They invest in and mentor early-stage companies across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and SaaS. Their goal is to help these businesses grow into world-class enterprises by providing financial support, intellectual resources, and networking opportunities.

Associated Bank, founded in 1861 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is a prominent commercial bank that operates as part of Associated Banc-Corp, one of the top publicly traded bank holding companies in the United States. With total assets of $25 billion, the bank serves over 100 communities across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, and offers commercial financial services in additional states including Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Texas. Associated Bank provides a comprehensive array of personal and business banking services, which include various lending products such as revolving lines of credit, term loans, asset-based loans, mortgage loans, letters of credit, and business loans. As an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Lender, the bank is committed to serving diverse financial needs while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Founded in 1999, OCA Ventures is a Chicago-based venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments primarily in technology and highly-scalable services businesses. The firm's investment focus areas include digital health, fintech, consumer software, and enterprise software.

Founded in 2015, FJ Labs is a New York-based venture capital firm focusing on stage-agnostic investments in marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. Their investment range varies from $50,000 to $5,000,000, typically at seed or series A stages.

Founded in Columbus, Ohio in 2000, NCT Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on supporting seed and early-stage technology companies across the Midwest. They typically invest between $250k to $1 million initially, with potential follow-on investments of up to $5 million as portfolio companies grow. The firm brings over two decades of entrepreneurial experience and offers hands-on operational support to help visionary entrepreneurs succeed.

Bain Capital is a Boston-based private, multi-asset investment firm that manages assets across private equity, public equity, credit, and venture capital. Founded in 1984, it operates multiple units that create value by supporting companies across sectors such as technology, healthcare, life sciences, financial services, consumer, and industrials, through growth equity, buyouts, early-stage venture capital, and other investment approaches.

Founded in 2014, 4490 Ventures is a Madison-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments. It primarily invests in technology companies across sectors such as web3-enabled enterprise software, health tech, IoT, and SaaS, with a focus on the Midwest region.

iSelect Fund Management is a venture capital firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri that pursues early-stage and growth investments across the United States, Canada, Europe and other markets. The firm targets opportunities in healthcare, software, agriculture and life sciences, including areas such as plant sciences, seed genetics, sustainability, immunotherapy, personalized medicine, consumer health and food technology. It typically backs seed and Series A or B rounds and aims for multi-year investment horizons. While it maintains a broad geographic scope, it emphasizes sectors with global growth potential and supports startups positioned to address food, health and scientific innovation on a regional and international scale.

Founded in 2015, Method Capital is a Chicago-based venture capital firm focusing on growth stage investments in B2B technology companies. They typically invest $1 million to $10 million, with an ideal initial investment size of $5 million, in companies that have recurring revenue and scalable business models.

Woodlawn Partners is a private equity firm based in Glencoe, Illinois, that specializes in acquiring and managing profitable operating companies primarily in the Midwestern United States. Established in 2008, the firm targets investments in sectors such as manufacturing, information technology, financial services, food and beverage, transportation, and logistics. Woodlawn Partners focuses on companies with annual revenues exceeding $5 million and EBITDA over $1 million, with an emphasis on those demonstrating EBITDA margins above 10% and a minimum of three years of profitability. The firm's leadership team possesses the resources and expertise to finance transactions personally and engage actively in the management of their portfolio companies. Woodlawn Partners also leverages a network of co-investors and strategic advisors to enhance its investment efforts.

Founded in 2010, Independence Equity is a venture capital firm based in Northbrook, Illinois. It invests in early-stage companies commercializing technologies that improve resource utilization across B2B, information technology, clean technology, SaaS & industrial sectors within the United States.

Established in 1937, Lilly Endowment is a private foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana. It focuses on funding initiatives in religion, education, community development, philanthropy, public policy, and disaster relief, with an emphasis on supporting youth and underserved groups.

Alpha Capital Partners, established in 1984, is a Chicago-based private equity firm that provides equity financing to growth-stage businesses and established companies undergoing buyouts or recapitalizations. With a focus on the greater Midwest, they also consider nationwide investments. Currently, the firm manages over $135 million across three venture capital partnerships and other equity accounts, with an active fund of approximately $90 million. Alpha Capital Partners is a federally licensed Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) subsidiary.

Hopewell Ventures was a venture capital and private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2001. The firm specialized in providing equity capital and strategic expertise to high-growth businesses, primarily in the Midwest. With over 80 years of combined experience among its principals, Hopewell focused on growth-oriented ventures across various stages of development and a wide range of industries, including technology, life sciences, manufacturing, and consumer products. The firm aimed to help portfolio companies maximize their opportunities, leveraging its extensive networks throughout the Midwest. Despite its regional focus, which mirrored the investment strategy of its predecessor, Adena Ventures, Hopewell Ventures ultimately went out of business.