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.

Rally Ventures, established in 2012, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with an additional office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in business technology companies, focusing on sectors such as cloud infrastructure, fintech, SaaS, and security. With a track record spanning over three decades, Rally Ventures' partners, who are industry veterans, have consistently delivered superior returns by investing in and operating early-stage enterprise B2B technology companies. The firm's investment strategy aims to support entrepreneurs creating new markets or transforming existing ones.

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable foundation based in St. Paul, Minnesota, established in 1944. Its primary mission is to assist individuals in achieving full economic, civic, and social participation, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of communities. The foundation focuses on creating measurable and meaningful impacts through its philanthropic efforts across Minnesota, North Dakota, and western Wisconsin. The trust's assets are overseen by an executive management team dedicated to fostering positive change and strengthening community engagement.

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.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is a health insurance company headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. Established in 1933, the organization offers a variety of health plans, including medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage for individuals and families. Committed to advancing health equity, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota also engages in community partnerships to address racial and health disparities. The company is governed by an executive management team that oversees its operations and resources.

Bread & Butter Ventures, established in 2017 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an early-stage venture capital firm investing globally. Led by Brett Brohl and Mary Grove, the firm focuses on seed-stage investments in foodtech, digital health, and enterprise SaaS sectors. Leveraging Minnesota's strong corporate connections and industry expertise, Bread & Butter Ventures supports founders by providing investment capital and strategic guidance.

Great North Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Maple Grove, Minnesota, founded in 2017. The firm focuses on investing in entrepreneurs who leverage breakthrough technologies to transform industries that remain reliant on analog processes. Great North Ventures primarily targets disruptive technology companies across the United States, providing essential guidance, capital, and connections from seed stage to Series B. The firm is committed to identifying promising startups regardless of their geographic location, recognizing that innovative companies are emerging beyond traditional hubs like Silicon Valley. With a foundation built by successful founders, Great North Ventures emphasizes the importance of execution and the capability of their portfolio companies.

Split Rock Partners, LLC, established in 2004 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments in the Upper Midwest and West Coast regions of the United States. The firm specializes in healthcare and software, internet, and internet-based services companies, with a particular interest in medical devices and enterprise software. Split Rock Partners invests in companies with a market size exceeding $500 million, aiming for investments of $8 million to $10 million, and seeks to generate returns through strategic growth, spin-outs, or restructurings. The firm prefers to lead or co-lead initial investments and takes an active role in portfolio companies, often serving on the board and chairmanship.

Matchstick Ventures, established in 2013, is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based venture capital firm. It focuses on investing in early-stage technology companies, particularly in sectors like business products, services, and information technology. The firm targets high-growth startups located between the coasts of the United States and Toronto, supporting their creation and growth in often overlooked startup ecosystems.

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.

Groove Capital is a venture capital firm established in 2020 and located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage companies across a diverse range of sectors, including fintech, biotechnology, agricultural technology, healthcare, digital health, education, energy, enterprise software, financial services, medical devices, software as a service, artificial intelligence, robotics, clean energy, e-commerce, retail technology, and sports and fitness. By targeting these industries, Groove Capital aims to support innovative startups and foster growth in emerging markets.

TT Capital Partners, LLC, established in 1997, is a Minnesota-based independent firm that operates as the private equity arm of TripleTree. It specializes in growth equity investments, focusing on the healthcare sector, particularly healthcare technology and services. The firm invests in innovative, high-growth companies expanding their customer base or entering new markets, often taking majority stakes. TT Capital Partners is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with an additional office in New York, New York.

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.

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.

Gopher Angels is an angel investment group based in Minnesota, established in 2012. The organization comprises accredited investors who are committed to fostering the growth of early-stage businesses in the region, particularly in the information technology and healthcare sectors. Gopher Angels not only provides financial investment but also offers strategic guidance, valuable connections, and business support to entrepreneurs. By focusing on outstanding entrepreneurs, Gopher Angels aims to help transform innovative ideas into successful enterprises.

Dundee Venture Capital, established in 2010, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with additional offices in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Saint Louis. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, focusing on B2B SaaS, e-commerce, fintech, and supply chain technology sectors. Dundee typically invests between $0.25 million to $1 million in initial rounds, with a potential follow-on investment, and seeks board positions or observer roles. The firm's investment focus is on underserved capital markets across the United States, with a typical exit timeline of six to eight years. Dundee Venture Capital does not invest in companies requiring government approval for operation, such as those in bio, pharma, or life sciences sectors.

Vensana Capital, established in 2019 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a venture capital firm specializing in healthcare and related technologies. It invests in innovative medical technology, digital health, and life science sectors, with a focus on breakthrough solutions. The firm manages multiple funds, including Vensana Capital I and II, and is registered as an Investment Adviser.

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.

Breakthrough Energy, established in 2016 and headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, is an impact investment firm focused on combating climate change. It invests patiently over a 20-year period in cleantech and energy sectors, supporting companies from seed to commercialization stages. The firm's portfolio spans electricity generation and storage, transportation, industrial systems, agriculture, and energy efficiency, aiming to make power reliable, affordable, and climate-friendly. Breakthrough Energy Ventures, its investment arm, manages funds in the U.S. and Europe, with a goal to back 40 to 50 companies per fund.

Sofia Fund is a venture capital firm based in St. Paul, Minnesota, founded in 2006. It specializes in investing in startup and early-stage companies that are led by women, focusing on sectors such as information technology, business products and services, health and wellness, and clean technology. The firm conducts extensive due diligence to identify high-potential investment opportunities and typically invests between $0.1 million and $0.5 million per company over one or two funding rounds. In its portfolio, Sofia Fund emphasizes technology-based innovations, including business intelligence, SaaS, mobile and digital content, e-commerce, and energy-efficient solutions. The firm seeks to support the growth of its portfolio companies and aims for profitable exits within three to five years. Sofia Fund also has an additional office in Kansas City, Missouri.

Versant Ventures, established in 1999, is a global healthcare investment firm headquartered in San Francisco, California. With over $2.3 billion under management and offices in North America and Europe, the firm invests across the healthcare sector, with a focus on discovering and developing novel therapeutics. Versant's team, comprising deep investment, operating, and scientific expertise, takes a hands-on approach to company building. Since inception, over 65 Versant companies have achieved successful acquisitions or IPOs.

McGowan Capital Group is a private equity firm based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, established in 2004. The firm specializes in growth capital investments, focusing primarily on early to mid-stage companies. By providing financial resources and strategic support, McGowan Capital Group aims to foster the development and expansion of its portfolio companies.

Omphalos Venture Partners is a venture capital firm located in Shakopee, Minnesota, established in 2010. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage companies across various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, software as a service (SaaS), robotics, artificial intelligence, sensor technology, and nanotechnology. Omphalos Venture Partners aims to support both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) enterprises, particularly those leveraging innovations in digital health and the internet of things. With a commitment to fostering growth in these industries, the firm actively seeks to contribute to the development of transformative technologies and services in the United States.

Capita3 is a venture capital firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with an additional office in San Francisco, California. Founded in 2016, it specializes in investing in women-led startups, focusing on seed, pre-seed, and early-stage companies. Capita3 targets investments in the healthcare sector, particularly in areas such as genomics, digital health, women's health, and food-as-medicine, while addressing significant B2C and B2B markets. The firm primarily invests across the United States, with a particular emphasis on the Midwest. In addition to financial support, Capita3 is committed to developing startup CEOs to enhance their growth and maximize the potential for successful exits.

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.

Affinity Capital Management, founded in 1993 by Edson Spencer, is a Minnesota-based firm that provides investment services specifically for the healthcare technology sector. The company focuses on identifying and supporting innovative companies within this industry, aiming to drive growth and enhance value for its clients. With a commitment to the healthcare technology landscape, Affinity Capital Management leverages its expertise to assist firms in navigating the complexities of investment and development in this rapidly evolving field.

Amzak Capital Management, established in 1979, is a U.S.-based asset management firm with a diverse investment portfolio. Originally a family business focused on the cable industry, it has evolved into an institutional investor with interests across multiple sectors. The firm's current investment focus includes the middle market, fixed income, real estate, and healthcare, with a concentration in the Americas. Since 2005, its healthcare arm, Amzak Health, has invested in over 50 companies across therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, and services.

Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC, established in 1998, is a private equity firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in New York. It manages approximately $2 billion in assets, focusing on the middle market. The firm invests in mature, privately held companies across various sectors, including communications, healthcare, consumer products, and industrials, among others. Charlesbank partners with management teams to acquire and build fundamentally strong businesses, typically investing between $20 million to $150 million per transaction in companies with enterprise values ranging from $50 million to $1.5 billion and EBITDA between $15 million and $75 million. The firm takes a board seat in its portfolio companies and aims to hold investments for five to seven years, exiting through IPOs, strategic sales, or sales to other private equity firms. Charlesbank prefers to take majority and minority stakes in companies.

Northstar Capital, established in 1993, is a Minneapolis-based investment firm that specializes in providing junior capital, primarily mezzanine debt, to middle market companies in the United States and Canada. The firm focuses on sectors such as value-added distribution, light manufacturing, business services, financial services, education, and specialty healthcare. Northstar partners with proven sponsor groups and experienced management teams, offering commitment and clear direction throughout the investment process.

SightLine Partners, established in 2004, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, with an additional office in Palo Alto, California. The company specializes in late-stage investments, focusing on medical technology, biotechnology, and healthcare services sectors within the United States. SightLine Partners typically invests between $2 million and $8 million, structuring deals as preferred stock, and aims to exit within five years. The firm's investment strategy is to support emerging growth and later-stage companies, particularly in therapeutic areas such as vascular diseases, diabetes, and nervous system disorders.

Venture Investors, LLC, established in 1982, is a Wisconsin-based venture capital firm specializing in seed and early-stage investments in the healthcare sector, with a focus on the Midwest region. The firm invests in biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and other technology-enabled healthcare companies. It seeks to invest $0.25 million to $2.5 million initially, with the potential for follow-on investments of up to $8 million, typically holding investments for five to seven years. Venture Investors aims to be the lead investor and prefers to invest in the form of preferred stock and/or debt with warrant coverage. The firm has offices in Madison, Wisconsin, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has over $200 million in assets under management.

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.

Burnt Island Ventures, established in 2020, is a New York-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments. It manages funds that target innovative startups in the water and climate tech sectors, with a particular interest in information technology solutions that address energy, climate, and water challenges. The firm's mission is to identify, fund, and support exceptional entrepreneurs driving progress in these critical areas.

MFV Partners Management, LLC is a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies that have progressed beyond seed and Series A funding, with a particular emphasis on growth capital. MFV Partners targets a range of sectors, including automotive, retail, knowledge services, and transportation. Its investment focus encompasses advanced technologies such as sensors, electric vehicles, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, process automation, and crowd-learning. Additionally, the firm is interested in smart home technologies, energy efficiency, renewable energy, precision agriculture, and innovations in manufacturing, particularly in areas related to the Internet of Things, computer vision, 3D printing, and robotics.

SUM Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2016 and located in Santa Monica, California. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies across various sectors, including fintech, proptech, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, cleantech, and medtech. SUM Ventures focuses on ventures that are poised to make a significant impact within their respective industries.

Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) is a prominent middle market investment firm established in 1961, known for its commitment to partnering with business owners to transform companies into industry leaders. The firm has successfully raised over $7 billion through various equity and mezzanine funds, emphasizing quality investments and strong financial returns. NEP provides flexible transaction solutions, including management buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth financings, and prioritizes long-term relationships to assist stakeholders in achieving liquidity at optimal times. The firm seeks equity investment opportunities ranging from $30 million to over $250 million in profitable, growing companies across sectors such as agriculture, business services, consumer products, distribution, diversified industrials, energy, and healthcare. NEP is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Treo Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2018 and located in Santa Clara, California. The firm focuses on investing in companies within the medical technology, digital health, and therapeutic sectors, primarily targeting opportunities in the United States, Ireland, and Europe. Treo Ventures is a Registered Investment Adviser and is known for its experienced team, which brings over 50 years of collective expertise in healthcare investing and operations. The firm has a strong commitment to supporting innovative healthcare companies that are developing novel technologies to enhance patient care and outcomes.

Piper Sandler, established in 1895, is a prominent investment banking and asset management firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company offers a wide range of services, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, private placements, and restructuring advisory services. Piper Sandler's investment banking group serves corporate clients and financial sponsors across various sectors such as agriculture, consumer, energy, financial services, and healthcare. Additionally, the firm manages a private equity arm, Piper Jaffray Merchant Banking, which invests in commercial-stage businesses within the sectors covered by Piper Sandler's equity research and investment banking resources. The firm's revenue ranges from $275 million to $500 million.

Climate Investment is a venture capital firm established in 2016 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to facilitating the transition to lower carbon emission energy sources by investing in innovative technologies and projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane and carbon dioxide. Climate Investment plays a significant role in addressing climate change by aligning with the commitments of major oil and gas companies under the Paris Agreement. Through its collaboration with the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), the firm aims to accelerate the development and implementation of strategies that minimize the carbon footprint of traditional energy operations while exploring new business opportunities and technologies in the energy sector.

UnitedHealth Group, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, is a leading global healthcare company. It provides a wide range of services, including health technology, health finance, and pharmacy services. The company leverages clinical data and intelligence to streamline administrative processes and enhance clinical decision-making. UnitedHealth Group serves approximately 50 million members worldwide, offering medical benefits through employer-sponsored, self-directed, and government-backed insurance plans. Its Optum franchises have expanded its reach to encompass medical and pharmaceutical benefits, outpatient care, and analytics, serving both affiliated and third-party customers.

Lemhi Ventures, established in 2006 and based in Wayzata, Minnesota, is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in the U.S. healthcare services sector. The firm focuses on incubating and seed-funding innovative companies with disruptive business models, aiming to be a lead investor and often taking a board seat. Lemhi Ventures was founded by experienced entrepreneurs and executives, drawing on their diverse backgrounds to identify and support promising healthcare services startups.

Meridian Behavioral Health LLC is a Minnesota-based organization that operates a network of recovery and addiction treatment centers. Established in 1987 and located in New Brighton, the company specializes in offering a wide range of services for individuals dealing with addictive diseases and mental health issues. Its offerings include residential, outpatient, and medication-assisted treatment, along with detox services and confidential chemical health assessments. Meridian Behavioral Health caters to diverse populations, including men, women, and members of the LGBT community, and also provides programs for incarcerated individuals. The organization is committed to delivering therapeutic and psychotherapeutic care through various treatment modalities, ensuring comprehensive support for those in need of behavioral health services.

LHB Inc. is an engineering, architecture, and planning firm based in Duluth, Minnesota, with additional offices in Minneapolis, Cambridge, and Superior, Wisconsin. Founded in 1966, the company provides a comprehensive range of services, including architecture, interior design, civil, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering, as well as land surveying. LHB also specializes in planning, site design, transportation, urban design, and historic preservation. The firm emphasizes sustainable practices, offering research and development, policy development, and consultancy on sustainable guidelines. It also provides energy modeling, building analysis, and commissioning services, including Performance Metrics to ensure buildings operate efficiently and B3 Benchmarking for managing energy consumption. LHB serves a diverse clientele across commercial, education, government, healthcare, housing, industrial, pipeline, and public works sectors, focusing on creating vibrant and functional spaces.

The Bush Foundation is an independent non-profit organization located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, established in 1953. Its mission is to foster community development and encourage innovation by investing in impactful ideas and the individuals behind them. The foundation provides grants to both organizations and individuals, supporting projects that aim to enhance the well-being of communities. The foundation's assets are overseen by an executive management team dedicated to ensuring that funding aligns with its goals of promoting growth and positive change.

Yukon Partners, established in 2008 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a private equity firm specializing in mezzanine investments. It focuses on middle market, mature, and late-stage companies, typically investing between $10 million and $50 million in transactions controlled by private equity sponsors. Yukon Partners provides capital through secured debt, subordinated debt, and equity, targeting companies with EBITDA between $5 million and $50 million and revenues between $30 million and $500 million. It has a broad investment focus, including healthcare, automotive, consumer products, industrial manufacturing, and business services, among others. The firm is known for its strong relationships within the private equity community and regularly partners with other investors and senior lenders.

Brown Venture Group, LLC, established in 2018 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a venture capital firm and accelerator dedicated to supporting and investing in early-stage technology startups owned by Black, Latino, and Native American entrepreneurs. The firm not only provides capital but also offers incubation and studio services, actively promoting and building these startups. Brown Venture Group aims to foster diversity and inclusion in the tech industry by writing a new playbook for minority-owned technology ventures and their investors.

Perforce Software is a developer of software configuration management systems headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, with additional offices in California, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The company specializes in source code management and collaboration software through its platform, Perforce Helix, which allows global teams to efficiently collaborate on various file types, including code, CAD designs, and environment configurations. Helix supports both centralized and distributed workflows while providing advanced behavioral analytics to protect intellectual property. Perforce's tools facilitate faster and higher-quality delivery of digital products and offer features for agile project management, enabling users to manage requirements, issues, and test processes effectively. With over 15,000 customers, including notable brands like adidas, Samsung, and Pixar, Perforce is recognized for its contributions to enhancing developer collaboration and accelerating product delivery cycles.

TVM Capital Life Science, established in 1984, is a global venture capital firm headquartered in Munich, Germany, with additional offices in Montreal, Canada. The firm specializes in multi-stage investments in life science companies, focusing on biopharma, diagnostics, med-tech, and digital health sectors across Europe, North America, and Asia. TVM Capital Life Science invests in companies from discovery to market-ready stages, with a minimum investment of USD 1 million and a preference for companies with revenue up to USD 150 million. The firm aims to support entrepreneurial venture-backed companies and help them grow into market leaders.

Doran Companies, LLC is a Minnesota-based firm that specializes in the commercial development, general contracting, and management of multi-family residential and commercial properties. Incorporated in 2007 and headquartered in Bloomington, the company focuses on the development of mixed-use commercial properties, retail shopping centers, student housing, and luxury apartments. Its general contracting services encompass a range of projects, including post-tension concrete high-rise buildings, five-story wood construction apartment buildings, and various tenant improvements for retail, hospitality, medical, and dental offices. Additionally, Doran Companies provides comprehensive property management solutions to ensure the effective operation of its developments.

Northern Pacific Group, established in 2012, is a Minnesota-based private equity firm focused on investing in companies within the technology and business services sectors in the Upper Midwest region of the United States.