61 Investors in Chicago

As a founder, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the investors that are currently operating in your space. This post provides a comprehensive list of top investors in the startup world, so you can be sure to identify the right ones when seeking funding. Regardless of your stage or industry, there’s something for everyone on this list.

1) Abhinaya Konduru

  • Fund: M25
  • Title: Principal
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: Agriculture Tech, AI, Cosmetics, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, E-Commerce, EdTech, Fintech, eSports, Government Tech, Recruiting, Insurtech, Legal, Logistics, Consumer, Other Tech, Food Services, Sales Tech, Travel

2) Ablorde Ashigbi

  • Fund: 4Degrees
  • Title: Founder / CEO
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Agriculture Tech, AI, Cosmetics, Internet of Things, Clean Tech, Fashion, Cloud, Communications, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Entertainment, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, DEI, Recruiting, Hospitality, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Manufacturing, Marketplaces, Media, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Proptech, Robotics, Sales Tech, Social Impact, Space, Transportation, Travel

3) Ahmad Khan

  • Fund: Second Century Ventures
  • Title: Investment Analyst | Venture Capital
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Proptech, Fintech, Insurtech

4) Allison Weil

  • Fund: Hyde Park Venture Partners
  • Title: Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Marketing, Agriculture Tech, AI, Art, Cloud, Communications, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Entertainment, Fintech, eSports, Government Tech, DEI, Recruiting, Hospitality, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Manufacturing, Marketplaces, Media, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Parenting, Proptech, Quantum Computing, Food Services, Robotics, Sales Tech, Sex, Social Impact, Space, Transportation, Travel

5) Audre Kapacinskas

  • Fund: S2G Ventures
  • Title: Principal
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Agriculture Tech, Internet of Things, Clean Tech, Food and Beverage, Robotics

6) Austin Chung

  • Fund: Jump Capital
  • Title: Vice President
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Marketing, AI, Internet of Things, Clean Tech, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, E-Commerce, EdTech, Entertainment, eSports, Government Tech, Internet of Things, Manufacturing, Marketplaces, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Proptech, Transportation

7) Batchimeg Ganbaatar

  • Fund: Nomadic Venture Partners
  • Title: Managing Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: Clean Tech, Logistics, Transportation, Manufacturing, Internet of Things

8) Ben Tour

  • Fund: Highwind Impact Fund
  • Title: Co-Founder & CEO
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series B
  • Sectors: Cybersecurity, Digital Health and Wellness, EdTech, Government Tech, Logistics, Marketplaces, Other Tech, Sales Tech, Space, Travel

9) Brad Baum

  • Fund: Lightbank
  • Title: VC
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: Cloud, Cybersecurity, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, Fintech, Insurtech, Marketplaces, Consumer, Parenting

10) Brittany Henry

  • Fund: Impact America Fund
  • Title: Sr Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: AR/VR, AI, Web3, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, EdTech, Fintech, Government Tech, DEI, Legal, Marketplaces, Consumer, Parenting, Proptech, Social Impact, Transportation

11) Cassandra Carothers

  • Fund: Upheaval Investments
  • Title: Principal
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AI, Clean Tech, Robotics, Space, Transportation

12) Christopher Wu

  • Fund: Impact Engine
  • Title: Vice President
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Agriculture Tech, Clean Tech, EdTech, Fintech, Social Impact

13) Courtney Trunk

  • Fund: Motivate Venture Capital
  • Title: Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: AI, Cloud, Communications, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Entertainment, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, DEI, Recruiting, Hospitality, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Marketplaces, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Proptech

14) Cristin Pacifico

  • Fund: TechNexus Venture Collaborative
  • Title: Director
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AI, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Robotics, Transportation

15) Dawn Nguyen

  • Fund: Hyde Park Venture Partners
  • Title: Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: Marketing, Agriculture Tech, AI, AR/VR, Art, Clean Tech, Cloud, Communications, Web3, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Electronics, Entertainment, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, Government Tech, Recruiting, Hospitality, DEI, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Marketplaces, Enterprise, Parenting, Quantum Computing, Sales Tech, Food Services, Sex, Social Impact, Space, Transportation, Travel, Proptech

16) Declan Zidar

  • Fund: TechNexus Venture Collaborative
  • Title: Investor
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Travel, Food Services, Manufacturing, Logistics, Internet of Things, eSports, Food and Beverage, Future of Work, AR/VR, Digital Health and Wellness, Web3, Communications, Clean Tech, Entertainment, Media

17) Diego Lirazno

  • Fund: Thoma Bravo
  • Title: Growth Equity
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: AI, Cloud, Communications, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Future of Work, E-Commerce, Fintech, eSports, Insurtech, Legal, Logistics, Marketplaces, Enterprise, Sales Tech

18) Dion Boyd

  • Fund: CC Industries, Inc.
  • Title: Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series B
  • Sectors: Enterprise, Other Tech

19) Dozie Ibekwe

  • Fund: Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
  • Title: Senior Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Marketing, Agriculture Tech, AI, Art, Cosmetics, Internet of Things, Cannabis, Clean Tech, Fashion, Cloud, Communications, Web3, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Electronics, Entertainment, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, Government Tech, DEI, Recruiting, Hospitality, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Manufacturing, Marketplaces, Chemicals, Media, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Parenting, Professional or Technical Services, Proptech, Quantum Computing, Food Services, Robotics, Sales Tech, Sex, Social Impact, Space, Transportation, Travel

20) Fernando Naranjo

  • Fund: G Squared
  • Title: Analyst
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series B
  • Sectors: Fintech, E-Commerce, AI, Insurtech, Logistics, Marketplaces, Media, Food Services

21) Georges Durot

  • Fund: FOD Capital
  • Title: Senior Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Cosmetics, Internet of Things, E-Commerce, Fintech, Hospitality, Other, Consumer, Enterprise, Food Services

22) Haley Zollo

  • Fund: Starting LIne
  • Title: Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: Fashion, Communications, Digital Health and Wellness, E-Commerce, EdTech, Entertainment, Fintech, eSports, Marketplaces, Media, Consumer, Parenting, Sex

23) Hylton Irons

  • Fund: Listen Ventures
  • Title: Investor
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Pre-Seed
  • Sectors: Cosmetics, Art, Cannabis, Fashion, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Entertainment, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, Internet of Things, Marketplaces, Media, Consumer, Food Services, Sex

24) Jackson Bubala

  • Fund: Motivate Venture Capital
  • Title: Senior Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Marketing, AI, Clean Tech, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Entertainment, Fintech, eSports, DEI, Recruiting, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Marketplaces, Media, Enterprise, Robotics, Sales Tech

25) Jeremiah Abiade

  • Fund: Bronzeville Growth Partners, LLC
  • Title: Co-Founder
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Digital Health and Wellness, Food and Beverage, Hospitality, Marketplaces, Professional or Technical Services

26) Jessica Murphy

  • Fund: S2G Ventures
  • Title: Business Development Manager
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Agriculture Tech, Internet of Things, Clean Tech, Food and Beverage, Robotics

27) John Drake

  • Fund: Motivate VC
  • Title: Analyst
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: Future of Work, EdTech, Fintech, DEI, Enterprise

28) Jon Koval

  • Fund: Valor Equity Partners
  • Title: Growth Equity Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Internet of Things, Marketplaces, Enterprise, Proptech, Sales Tech

29) Jonathan Ellis

  • Fund: Sandalphon Capital
  • Title: Founder & General Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Marketing, Agriculture Tech, AI, Art, Cosmetics, Fashion, Cloud, Communications, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Electronics, Entertainment, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, Government Tech, DEI, Recruiting, Hospitality, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Manufacturing, Marketplaces, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Parenting, Proptech, Quantum Computing, Food Services, Robotics, Sales Tech, Transportation, Travel

30) Jordan Roper

  • Fund: CFI Partners, LLC
  • Title: Investment Analyst
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series B
  • Sectors: Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech

31) Josh Graves

  • Fund: Corazon Capital
  • Title: Investor
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Cloud, Communications, Digital Health and Wellness, Entertainment, eSports, Internet of Things, Marketplaces, Media, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Sales Tech, E-Commerce, Internet of Things, Marketing

32) Josh Lumer

  • Fund: Allstate Strategic Ventures
  • Title: Principal
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Insurtech, Internet of Things, Transportation

33) Julia Ruge

  • Fund: Sandalphon Capital
  • Title: Venture Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: Marketing, Agriculture Tech, AI, Cosmetics, Fashion, Communications, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Electronics, Entertainment, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, Government Tech, DEI, Recruiting, Hospitality, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Manufacturing, Marketplaces, Media, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Parenting, Proptech, Food Services, Sales Tech, Social Impact, Travel

34) Julie Greco

  • Fund: Energy Capital Ventures
  • Title: Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: Clean Tech, Other Tech, Chemicals

35) Justin Gordon

  • Fund: VITALIZE Venture Capital
  • Title: Founding Angel Investor
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed
  • Sectors: EdTech, Future of Work

36) Jyothi Vallurupalli

  • Fund: Lightbank
  • Title: VC
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: Travel, Social Impact, Space, Transportation, Sales Tech, Robotics, Food Services, Proptech, Media, Marketplaces, Manufacturing, Logistics, Legal, Internet of Things, Insurtech, DEI, Hospitality, Recruiting, eSports, Food and Beverage, Fintech, Clean Tech, Agriculture Tech, AI, Art, Fashion, Web3, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech

37) Kristina Chapple

  • Fund: 11 Tribes Ventures
  • Title: Analyst
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: Agriculture Tech, AI, AR/VR, Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Future of Work, EdTech, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Marketplaces, Proptech

38) Kurt Ramirez

  • Fund: Nine Four Ventures
  • Title: General Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Fintech, Proptech

39) Lance Dietz

  • Fund: KB Partners
  • Title: Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AR/VR, AI, Digital Health and Wellness, Entertainment, eSports, Marketplaces, Media

40) Leandro Bedolla

  • Fund: M25
  • Title: Investor
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: AI, Internet of Things, Cloud, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Fintech, Consumer, Other Tech, Food Services

41) Matt Shandy

  • Fund: Dundee Venture Capital
  • Title: Principal
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: Agriculture Tech, E-Commerce, Future of Work, EdTech, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, Government Tech, Recruiting, Hospitality, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Marketplaces, Consumer, Media, Enterprise, Other Tech, Robotics, Sales Tech, Travel

42) Mike Preuss

  • Fund: Visible.vc
  • Title: Co-founder & CEO
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed
  • Sectors: Developer Tools, Future of Work, Fintech, Social Impact

43) Nathan Pierotti

  • Fund: New Stack Ventures
  • Title: Deal Lead
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: AI, Cloud, Communications, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Future of Work, EdTech, Internet of Things, Manufacturing, Consumer, Other Tech

44) Nick Moran

  • Fund: New Stack Ventures
  • Title: General Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: AI, Cloud, Communications, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, Fintech, eSports, Recruiting, Hospitality, DEI, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Logistics, Manufacturing, Marketplaces, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Parenting, Professional or Technical Services, Proptech, Food Services, Robotics, Sales Tech, Sex, Space, Transportation, Travel

45) Nicki McMorrow Westhauser

  • Fund: Techstars Chicago
  • Title: Sourcing Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed
  • Sectors: Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech

46) Ola Jewusiak

  • Fund: Jump Capital
  • Title: Director of Marketing
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series A, Seed
  • Sectors: AI, Cybersecurity, Future of Work, Fintech, eSports, Other Tech

47) Peter Alemis

  • Fund: Family Office
  • Title: Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Fashion, Web3, Fintech, Consumer

48) Peter Larsen

  • Fund: Candor Venture Partners
  • Title: Managing Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: Agriculture Tech, AI, Cannabis, EdTech, Fintech, Recruiting, Legal, Marketplaces

49) Phil Leslie

  • Fund: TechNexus Venture Collaborative
  • Title: Managing Director
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A
  • Sectors: AR/VR, AI, Communications, Electronics, Internet of Things

50) Rachel Resek

  • Fund: Cargill
  • Title: Cargill Ventures
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Cosmetics, Internet of Things, Clean Tech, Food and Beverage

51) Rachel Stillman

  • Fund: 7wire Ventures
  • Title: Vice President
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: AI, Internet of Things, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, EdTech

52) Roxy Rong

  • Fund: Angel Investor
  • Title: Angel Investor
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: AI, Fintech

53) Saaya Nath

  • Fund: Jump Capital
  • Title: Vice President
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: AR/VR, Marketing, AI, Cloud, Web3, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, E-Commerce, EdTech, Entertainment, Fintech, eSports, Insurtech, Legal, Media, Enterprise, Other Tech, Sales Tech

54) Sam Cavender

  • Fund: M25
  • Title: Analyst
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: Marketing, Agriculture Tech, AI, AR/VR, Art, Cosmetics, Internet of Things, Clean Tech, Fashion, Cloud, Communications, Web3, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, E-Commerce, EdTech, Electronics, Entertainment, Fintech, Food and Beverage, eSports, Government Tech, Recruiting, Hospitality, DEI, Insurtech, Internet of Things, Legal, Logistics, Manufacturing, Marketplaces, Chemicals, Media, Consumer, Enterprise, Other Tech, Parenting, Professional or Technical Services, Proptech, Quantum Computing, Food Services, Robotics, Sales Tech, Social Impact, Space, Transportation, Travel, Other

55) Stefano Galiasso

  • Fund: Energy Capital Ventures
  • Title: Senior Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Clean Tech, AI, AR/VR, Agriculture Tech, Cybersecurity, Future of Work, Fintech, Internet of Things, Insurtech, Marketplaces

56) Tarun Gupta

  • Fund: Jump Capital
  • Title: Associate
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Cloud, Fintech, Media

57) Tunde Oshinowo

  • Fund: Sandbox Industries
  • Title: Associate, Sandbox Healthcare
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Agriculture Tech, AI, Internet of Things, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Digital Health and Wellness, Future of Work, Entertainment, Fintech, eSports, Hospitality, Insurtech, Enterprise, Other Tech, Parenting

58) Victor Pascucci

  • Fund: Energy Capital Ventures
  • Title: Managing General Partner, Co-Founder
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Clean Tech

59) Victoria Ivanova

  • Fund: Relish Works
  • Title: Manager of Food Foundry and Startup Engagement
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
  • Sectors: Food and Beverage, Logistics, Marketplaces, Other Tech, Food Services, Robotics, Transportation, Clean Tech, Future of Work

60) Will Baine

  • Fund: Valor Equity Partners
  • Title: Principal
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: AR/VR, AI, Clean Tech, Web3, Cybersecurity, Electronics, Fintech, Food and Beverage, Government Tech, Internet of Things, Manufacturing, Robotics, Social Impact, Space, Transportation

61) Zach Lomis

  • Fund: Palo Santo
  • Title: Partner
  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
  • Sectors: Cannabis, Digital Health and Wellness

Chicago is an interesting place for startups and investors because it offers a unique blend of Midwestern hospitality and big city opportunities. The cost of living is lower than other major metropolitan areas, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to network with people who have the resources to help your business grow. In addition, Illinois has some great tax incentives for businesses, which can make starting or expanding your company more affordable. -If you’re looking to invest in Chicago startups, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all, remember that just like any other market, there is risk involved when investing in early stage companies. You need to be comfortable with the potential for losses as well as gains. Secondly, make sure you know what kinds of businesses interest you and research specific investments before putting money into them. Finally, there are lots of organizations and events where entrepreneurs and investors come together to share ideas and support each other’s ventures. If you want to be part of the Chicago community, start by getting connected online and then attending some meetups or conferences.