Notre Dame · Pre-Seed–Seed
Investment thesis
The 1842 Fund invests at the inception and pre-seed stage, positioning itself as more than a capital allocator by acting as an extension of each founding team. Its strategy centers on recruiting experienced operators, providing meaningful capitalization that gives startups time to execute, and convening networks of customers, investors, talent, experts, and partners to build durable advantages from day one. The fund co-creates companies through two channels: commercializing faculty, student, and community innovations emerging from Notre Dame's Commercialization Engine, and running a venture studio that builds and accelerates software startups addressing societal challenges.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 17, 2026.
What they invest in
from 3 of 10 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×2Healthtech ×2Biotech ×1Deep Tech ×1Hardware ×1HR Tech ×1Marketplaces ×1Medical Devices ×1
HQs:United States×7
Investments · 10 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathIndianapolis, US
Board seat. High Alpha Innovation Partnerships, LLC· per SEC Form D · $20 raise · filed Jun 2022
Co-investorsGold Black
Indianapolis, US
Board seat. High Alpha Innovation Partnerships, LLC· per SEC Form D · $16 raise · filed Jun 2022
Co-investorsGold Black
Indianapolis, US
Board seat. High Alpha Innovation Partnerships, LLC· per SEC Form D · $20 raise · filed Jul 2022
Co-investorsGold Black
Indianapolis, US
Board seat. High Alpha Innovation Partnerships, LLC· per SEC Form D · $20 raise · filed Jun 2022
Co-investorsGold Black
Grannus Therapeutics develops Hsp90 inhibitors that selectively target the beta isoform of the Hsp90 protein for cancer treatment.
BiotechHealthtechIndianapolis, US
Brian Blagg(Director)Sanket Mishra(Founder)inJohn Foglesong(Executive Officer, Director)James Thompson(Director)
Co-investorsElevate Ventures
Rafael Labuto(Founder)inKenan Wursthorn(Founder)in
Co-investorsElevate Ventures
NearWave develops a handheld medical device using frequency domain near infrared spectroscopy (fdNIRS) to non-invasively measure tissue oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentrations for clinical and research applications.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesSaaSAustin, US
Roy Stillwell(Founder)in
Co-investorsCancer FundElevate VenturesHealth WildcattersIrishAngelsY Combinator
SlateUp is a workforce platform for critical infrastructure employers in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and energy, combining candidate hiring, employee retention and career development tools, and an AI agent that identifies and files for government workforce training funds.
AI & Machine LearningHR TechMarketplaces
Co-investorsAlloy Partners
Rows marked “SEC filing” are inferred from directors named on the company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has 1842 made?
- 1842 has 6 tracked investments.
- What stage does 1842 invest at?
- 1842 invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What sectors does 1842 focus on?
- 1842 focuses on Impact & Social Good, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is 1842 located?
- 1842 is headquartered in Notre Dame, US.
- Who does 1842 co-invest with?
- 1842 most often shares deals with Elevate Ventures, Cancer Fund, Health Wildcatters, among 6 tracked co-investors.
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