Capitalize VC
Venture capitalChicago · Pre-Seed–Seed · 3 people tracked
Also known as Capitalize VC QP
Investment thesis
Capitalize VC invests in commerce and creator economy enablement technology, betting that emerging tech and AI are reshaping how brands, retailers, and creators operate. Its focus areas include AI-driven back office operations, generative engine optimization for discovery, omni-channel sales via WhatsApp and social, circular economy monetization, owned revenue and data streams for creators, and fan engagement and NIL opportunities in sports and entertainment. The firm targets pre-seed and seed technology companies (sub-$10M valuation cap, post-MVP, $1B+ TAM) and consumer brands ($250K-$3M annual revenue, in market over a year, $500M+ TAM). It emphasizes partnering with diverse founding teams.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 27, 2026.
Team · 3 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 17 of 20 portfolio companiesSaaS ×8AI & Machine Learning ×6Marketing Tech ×5Retail Tech ×5Consumer ×4E-commerce ×4Enterprise Software ×3FoodTech ×3
HQs:United States×8
Investments · 20 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
TrueToForm provides body-measurement technology for apparel e-commerce, including an embeddable widget and a mobile body-scan app that collect customer measurements and manage them on a dashboard.
AI & Machine LearningE-commerceRetail Tech
Janice Tam(Founder)in
Co-investorsREFASHIOND Ventures
Airpals is a workplace logistics platform that acts as a system of record for internal company shipping, letting facilities, mailroom, and office management teams coordinate deliveries across people, locations, and carriers.
Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSNew York City, US
Joshe Ordonez(CEO & Founder)in
Co-investorsBuenTrip VenturesChloe CapitalFearless Fund
Atronous is an AI-native product data intelligence platform that ingests raw inputs (PDFs, spreadsheets, images, line drawings, CAD files, and APIs), then normalizes, validates, and generates verified, channel-ready product data across 400+ categories.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureRetail TechMilpitas, US
Jayashree Dutta(Founder)Niru Anisetti(Founder)
Bump is a financial platform for content creators that provides funding based on market value and income potential, a Visa/Mastercard-backed creator credit card with limits up to $100,000, and digital banking with checking and high-yield savings accounts.
ConsumerCreator EconomyFintech
James Jones(Co-Founder and CEO)
Co-investors100Km Ventures LlcConnetic VenturesExpert DOJORoot and Shoot VenturesSerac VenturesSixty8 Capital+1 more
Digiphy offers a connected packaging and contextual storytelling platform that uses QR codes and page building to enable brands to communicate product origin, traceability, and sustainability information directly to consumers.
AI & Machine LearningCircular EconomyMarketing TechRetail TechLos Angeles, US
Sarah Wagman Ellenbogen(Co-Founder & CEO)Sarah ((Founder)Sarah Ellenbogen(Founder)
Co-investorsLightShed VenturesTechstarsM13Builders + BackersGROOVE CAPITALAlumni Ventures+2 more
Fanfare is a launch experience platform for consumer brands running high-demand product drops, providing queues, lotteries, auctions, appointments, and mystery boxes along with bot detection, real-time monitoring, and SMS/email notifications.
E-commerceMarketing TechRetail TechSaaS
Michael Dodsworth(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsInfinity Ventures
Gildform is an on-demand product creation platform that uses AI to generate design mockups and connects users with a global network of CAD designers to produce 3D models for manufacturing custom jewelry, fashion hardware, home décor, and collectibles.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningE-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainDetroit, US
Karissma Yve(Founder)in
Co-investorsID VenturesMichigan RiseTechstarsREFASHIOND Ventures
GUDEA provides narrative intelligence and risk detection solutions that identify emerging narratives and analyze complex signals across digital platforms for organizations.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareGovTechSaaSBaltimore, US
Keith Presley(Founder/Leader)James Thomin(Chief Technology Officer)in
BoardBrett Brohl(Director)inJonathan Sperber(Director)in
Co-investorsBread And Butter Ventures, LlcGROOVE CAPITALTechstarsVictorumService Provider Capital
Hanahana Beauty is a shea butter-based clean skincare, beauty and wellness brand sourcing from a women's cooperative in Ghana.
Abena Boamah-Acheampong(Founder)in
Co-investorsLongJump Ventures
Noise is a platform that connects brands with pay-as-you-go user-generated content (UGC) creators to produce and distribute video and image content across social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
AdTechCreator EconomyMarketing Tech
Co-investorsGrishin RoboticsService Provider CapitalFigment CapitalGSRParadigm
Eat Omega 3 makes snack foods formulated with omega-3 fatty acids, targeting consumers seeking nutritional foods for brain and heart health.
ConsumerFoodTechWellness & FitnessBethesda, US
Rivalz makes better-for-you snacks aimed at consumers seeking healthier, nutritious alternatives to conventional high-salt, high-fat, high-carb snack foods.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech
Co-investorsThe March Group
Rivet is a marketing platform that unifies fan and audience data across social, commerce, ticketing, ads, and streaming to identify high-intent segments and activate them via email, SMS, DMs, ads, and D2C tools.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechSaaS
Simran Pabla(Founder)inAnj "Fayemz" Fayemi(Founder)in
Co-investorsLongJump VenturesRevUp CapitalHaystackSusa Ventures
RxPost operates a DSCSA-compliant pharmacy-to-pharmacy marketplace paired with cloud-based inventory software, letting independent pharmacies share or source surplus medications and track stock across multiple stores.
B2B MarketplacesHealthtechSaaS
Amantha Bagdon(Founder)in
Co-investorsSlauson & Co.Stone Mountain Ventures
Symphonie is a Seattle-based platform that helps e-commerce brands optimize pricing, advertising, inventory and fulfillment decisions.
Co-investorsDundee Venture Capital
VOW is a B2B platform that unifies event operations and guest experience management for organizations hosting live experiences.
Enterprise SoftwareSaaSDemarest, US
Jennifer Brisman(Founder)
Co-investorsTechstarsChloe CapitalHow Women Invest
Warrant is an AI platform that helps marketing and compliance teams review and approve creative assets, employee social media, and marketing materials against regulatory and brand standards.
FintechLegalTechMarketing TechSaaSDurham, US
Austin Melonie Carroll(Founder)in
Co-investorsLegalTechTechstarsVast VenturesBrickyard
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Noise · thecyberwire.com · Aug 12, 2026
Gildform · bridgedetroit.com · Aug 11, 2026
Warrant · tipranks.com · Jul 15, 2026
Rivet · trysignalbase.com · Apr 7, 2026
Airpals · castleplacement.com · Sep 23, 2025
VOW · martechcube.com · Aug 8, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Capitalize VC invest at?
- Capitalize VC invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is Capitalize VC's typical check size?
- Capitalize VC typically writes checks of $100K – $200K.
- What sectors does Capitalize VC focus on?
- Capitalize VC focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Circular Economy, Consumer, Creator Economy, Direct to Consumer, E-commerce, Fintech, Impact & Social Good, Logistics & Supply Chain, Retail Tech, Sports Tech.
- Where is Capitalize VC located?
- Capitalize VC is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Does Capitalize VC lead rounds?
- Capitalize VC typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamImpact Anywhere by Brandolon Barnett with Tessa Flippin Capitalize VC Interview
Brandolon Barnett · Tessa Flippin
Images
Co-investors · 8
REFASHIOND Ventures is an early-stage venture fund that invests in startups transforming and modernizing legacy industries, with a focus on industrial and supply chain innovation.
Chloe Capital is an impact-focused venture firm that invests in and supports diverse, women and minority-led technology startups, and runs accelerator and ecosystem-building programs.
Serac Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that backs founders building innovative technologies aimed at redefining large markets, offering strategic support through its expert network and the Serac Guild.
Everywhere Ventures is an early-stage venture firm, backed by a community of founders and operators as LPs, that writes early checks (including pre-seed) into startups across many sectors and geographies.
Seae Ventures is an early-stage venture firm investing in healthcare companies that expand access to affordable, personalized care, with a focus on underserved populations and reducing health inequities.
Black Ops VC is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on backing underinvested founders.
KEC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York City, founded by former entrepreneurs to back startup founders.
Firms observed investing alongside Capitalize VC, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Capitalize VC's recorded portfolio.
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