文章盘点芝加哥40家风险投资机构，提供资金数据和投资细节，包含G Squared、Second Century Ventures等投资者。
The Windy City has a reputation for being down-to-earth, and its investment community is no different. For founders, this means access to capital without the coastal hype.
You'll find active firms like Second Century Ventures, with over 200 investments under its belt, and G Squared, which has guided almost 40 companies to an exit. Many others are writing checks for all kinds of startups.
Below is our list of the best 40 VC firms in Chicago.
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CMT Digital invests in early-stage companies within the crypto and blockchain industry. The firm supports its portfolio through a combination of venture funding, active asset trading, and expertise in the sector's legal and policy issues.
Year Founded2017 FoundersColleen Sullivan, Jan-Dirk Lueders, Scott Casto Investment StageConvertible Note, Early Stage, SeedNº of Investments202 (11 as Lead Investor) Nº of Exits7 (3 IPO'd) Contactbitcoin@cmtam.comS2G Investments backs businesses from seed to late-stage that are transforming the food, agriculture, oceans, and energy sectors. With a portfolio including companies like Beyond Meat and sweetgreen, they focus on building a healthier and more sustainable planet through market-driven solutions.
Year Founded2014 FoundersChuck Templeton, Sanjeev Krishnan, Victor Friedberg Investment StageConvertible Note, Debt, Early Stage, Late Stage, Post-Ipo, SeedNº of Investments182 (83 as Lead Investor) Nº of Exits9 (4 IPO'd) Contact312-321-8000Origin Ventures funds early-stage companies that use artificial intelligence to transform productivity and automation. The firm invests in the infrastructure, software, and marketplaces foundational to this AI-driven shift.
Year Founded1999 FoundersBruce N. Barron, Steven N. Miller Investment StageEarly Stage, SeedNº of Investments125 (51 as Lead Investor) Nº of Exits21 (1 IPO'd) Contactinquire@originventures.comG Squared provides capital throughout a venture's lifecycle, addressing the modern trend of companies staying private longer by offering both growth funding and liquidity for stakeholders. They have backed household names like Spotify, Instacart, and Lyft, partnering with entrepreneurs building disruptive, high-growth businesses.
Year Founded2011 FoundersLarry Aschebrook Investment StageConvertible Note, Early Stage, Late Stage, Post-Ipo, Secondary Market, SeedNº of Investments111 (15 as Lead Investor) Nº of Exits38 (27 IPO'd) Contactir@gsquared.com / 312-552-7162Second Century Ventures promotes innovation in the real estate industry by investing in promising technology startups. As the venture fund of the National Association of Realtors, it gives portfolio companies a distinct advantage through access to the association's vast network and resources.
Year Founded2009 FoundersBob Goldberg, Dale Stinton Investment StageConvertible Note, Early Stage, Late StageNº of Investments208 (53 as Lead Investor) Nº of Exits26 (3 IPO'd) Contacthello@secondcenturyventures.com / 312-329-8524Sandbox Industries builds and manages businesses by connecting corporate partners with startups in healthcare, food, and agriculture. The firm creates dedicated venture funds and accelerator programs, such as with Blue Cross Blue Shield, to offer entrepreneurs both capital and strategic collaboration.
Year Founded2003 FoundersCecelia Myers, Jonathan Pirc, Nicholas Rosa, Nick Rosa, Robert Shapiro, Ryan Schoop Investment StageEarly Stage, Late Stage, Private Equity, SeedNº of Investments96 (13 as Lead Investor) Nº of Exits24 (3 IPO'd) Contactinfo@sandboxindustries.com / 312.228.4656Impact Engine provides venture capital and private equity to early-stage companies generating positive outcomes in education, health, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. The firm supports purpose-driven founders who are building businesses to solve pressing social and environmental challenges.
Year Founded2012 FoundersJamie Jones, Linda Darragh Investment StageConvertible Note, Early Stage, SeedNº of Investments88 (1 as Lead Investor) Nº of Exits7 Contactinfo@theimpactengine.com / +1 832-265-7550Wind Point Partners acquires and develops middle-market businesses throughout North America. They build value by executing a strategy that combines initial platform acquisitions with numerous add-on acquisitions.
Year Founded1984 FoundersBob Cummings, Rich Kracum Investment Stage—Nº of Investments2 Nº of Exits— Contactadmins@wppartners.com / 312.255.4800Chingona Ventures writes checks for pre-seed and seed-stage startups, with a focus on backing founders who are often overlooked by traditional venture capital. They invest in industries like fintech, health, and education, supporting companies such as Career Karma.
Year Founded2019 FoundersSamara Hernandez Total Funding$58MAverage Check Size$1MIndustriesFintech, Health & Wellness, EducationInvestment StageEarly Stage, Seed, Pre-SeedNº of Investments50 (10 as Lead Investor) Nº of Exits6 (1 IPO'd) Top Portfolio StartupsBoom, Blanket, Career KarmaContactadmin@chingona.venturesWith a 17-year track record, Moderne Ventures provides strategic capital to companies from early-stage through private equity. They are generalist investors with deep expertise in sectors like AI, robotics, and enterprise SaaS, backing technologies that can be applied across multiple industries for high growth.
Year Founded2015 FoundersConstance Freedman Investment StageEarly Stage, Late Stage, Private EquityNº of Investments105 (14 as Lead Investor) Nº of Exits29 (3 IPO'd) Contactinfo@moderneventures.com30 Additional Chicago VC Firms Worth Pitching
Chicago's funding scene runs much deeper than our top picks. Combined, the city's other active VCs have backed nearly 2,000 startups and guided over 350 to an exit. This group includes both long-established players and newer funds getting started. Here’s a look at the other venture capital firms funding what's next in Chicago.