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The Vision
Propellant Ventures aspires to change the future in a very powerful way. We boldly invest in outstanding companies and extraordinary teams to cultivate an extremely high-quality and diversified portfolio.
The team at Propellant collaborates with our portfolio companies, angel groups, and other VC’s to dramatically improve startups success, growth, and valuation. In 5 years, Propellant Ventures strives to be one of Midwest region’s most active VCs and go-to funds for innovative startups. Propellant Ventures invests in a broad range of diverse tech enabled B2B industries such as healthtech, future of work, supply chain, fintech, IIoT, and edtech.
The Opportunity
As venture capital investments hit record highs, a huge gap exists in the Midwest region with deal count and deal value leading to a massive untapped opportunity. Over the past 7 years, the region saw big successful exit outcomes of $20+ billion. From 2019 to 2020, venture capital investments in the Midwest increased to $11.6 billion from $6.5 billion demonstrating signs of solid momentum. Chicago is leading the way with big exits and new unicorns where $2 billion was invested in Illinois just in Q1 of 2021.
Propellant Ventures views this as a timely opportunity to boldly invest in under-appreciated regions such as the Midwest, where entrepreneurs have historically struggled to get funding particularly in Pre-Seed and Seed stages. The Midwest produces some exceptional companies focused on success, which results in some of the best startup returns for investors in the U.S. Strengths of the region include top universities, affordable talent, lower cost of living, home to close to 25% of the Fortune 500, and diverse industries and founders.
Our Focus
Propellant Ventures is filling the funding gap with a bold focus on investing in exciting and disruptive Pre-Seed and Seed stage opportunities. We invest in a broad range of innovative Midwest based startups and tech enabled B2B industries such as healthtech, future of work, supply chain, fintech, IIoT, and edtech. Propellant Ventures recognizes that it can be a challenge for early stage entrepreneurs to raise venture capital so we see a tremendous opportunity to be that capital partner at the initial stages of growth.
Our Focus
Stages
Pre-Seed + Seed
Propellant Ventures' primary focus is Pre-Seed and Seed investments. For a few exceptional opportunities, Propellant Ventures may invest in very compelling later stage deals.
Geography
Midwest
Propellant Ventures' primary focus is to invest in the underserved region of the Midwest. Our roots are in Chicago so we pay extra special attention to bold opportunities in our backyard. The Midwest has more reasonable valuations and some of the highest investor returns in the country.
Industries
Leading-Edge + Diverse
Propellant Ventures favors fast growth B2B companies that have the potential to boldly change the future. We invest in a broad range of diverse tech enabled B2B industries such as healthtech, future of work, supply chain, fintech, IIoT, and edtech.
Investment Size
$25,000 - $500,000
Propellant Ventures' goal is to build a powerful portfolio of 30 outstanding investments. Our typical initial investment per company is $100,000-$500,000. We will also make micro investments in the range of $25,000-$100,000.
Approach
Co-Invest + Lead
Propellant Ventures will typically be the first or one of the first professional investors in the round. We will co-invest or lead a deal alongside other early stage investors.
Portfolio Support
Four Pillars of Growth
Propellant Ventures supports our exceptional companies across four pillars of growth: Network Expansion, Business Development, Talent Acquisition, and Funding Support. We will take an active role in the success of our portfolio companies by leveraging our powerful global network.
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Propellant Ventures Team
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Investment Committee
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News
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