Investor profile for Chicago Ventures: typical check size, headquarters (Chicago, IL), stages they lead or invest in, and links to website and social profiles. Part of the Venture Capital Tracker directory.
Chicago seed-stage venture firm (Merchandise Mart) that leads early rounds for technology companies and partners hands-on through the first institutional years. Thesis spans supply chain and logistics, fintech, healthcare, enterprise tools, proptech, mobility, and related software — with a bias that enduring companies can be built outside coastal hubs. HQ: 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL.
Typical check size
$250K-$3M (stage-based estimate)
Founded
2011
Headquarters
Chicago, IL
AUM
N/A
Rounds they lead
Pre-Seed
Seed
Rounds they invest
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B+
Portfolio companies we track
Startups in our directory that list Chicago Ventures as an investor (1 total).
Stage fit, check size, thesis, and how founders typically approach this firm — based on public sources and our directory.
Chicago Ventures brands itself as 'We lead, early' — primarily seed leads, with an Opportunity Fund for follow-on Series A and later rounds in portfolio winners. Expect board involvement and operational support at seed.
Generalist with depth in industrial tech (supply chain, logistics, warehousing), fintech, digital health, and B2B software. Portfolio anchors include G2, project44, SpotHero, Sunbit, and Aeropay.
Headquartered in Chicago but invests across 20+ U.S. cities and Canada — thesis is great companies outside coastal hubs, not Chicago-only mandates.
Public portfolio analysis and firm materials cite seed checks often in the $500K–$5M range, with meaningful ownership as lead investor. Exact terms are deal-specific.
A companion vehicle for follow-on capital in portfolio companies where Chicago Ventures had a front-row seat from seed — examples cited include project44, SpotHero, Sunbit, and NOCD.
Bring a contrarian industry insight and early traction in an overlooked category. The firm responds to founders others call 'un-scalable' or 'small TAM' if the wedge and team are exceptional — see chicagoventures.com portfolio for pattern matching.
Chicago Ventures positions itself as an early lead partner — typically seed and other first institutional rounds — taking board seats and staying operationally involved. Later participation varies by company; confirm current mandate with the firm.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois (Merchandise Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza).
Lead early in industries often overlooked by coastal capital — supply chain/logistics, healthcare, fintech, enterprise tools, consumer media, data management, proptech, mobility, and small-business software — with conviction that strong teams can win from many cities.
Yes — public firm materials emphasize leading early rounds and taking board seats rather than passive follow-on only.
Not published as a single official range on the firm site. Ask Chicago Ventures directly for current check sizes; do not rely on third-party historical ranges without confirmation.
U.S. technology companies with a deep Chicago and Greater Midwest network; portfolio coverage spans many cities.
Firm site chicagoventures.com, fund profile /fund/chicago-ventures, and the Chicago hub /vc/chicago.
