Fundraising Fox

Cleveland Avenue

Venture capital

Chicago · Seed–Series A · 12 people tracked

Also known as CLEVELAND AVENUE ADVISERS, LLC · Cleveland Avenue Food Beverage · Cleveland Avenue State Treasurers Urban Success

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Investment thesis

Cleveland Avenue centers its strategy on the evolving consumer landscape, combining market insights with a forward-thinking approach to enhance consumers' lives and build sustainable outcomes for individuals and communities. The firm invests across consumer products, industry-level technology, and social impact, aiming to help entrepreneurs find profitable, world-changing paths. It emphasizes diligence and expert talent to identify high-growth startups, and operates its own 33,000 square foot innovation facility offering R&D, consumer research, showcases, and summits where it collaborates closely with portfolio companies. Long-standing industry relationships give the firm access to category leaders and strategic partners, strengthening deal flow and portfolio support.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 27, 2026.

Stage
Seed–Series A
Check
$1M – $10M
HQ
Chicago, Illinois, US
Leads rounds
Leads
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2015
Private fund assets
$1.4B
VC funds
7
Tracked investments
97

Team · 12 people

from the firm's website & public directories

What they invest in

from 64 of 97 portfolio companies

Consumer ×22FoodTech ×21SaaS ×17AI & Machine Learning ×15Direct to Consumer ×12Enterprise Software ×10E-commerce ×8Hardware ×8

HQs:United States×44Australia×1United Kingdom×1Ireland×1South Korea×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 38 portfolio companies
53%
solo founders
20 of 38 mapped founding teams
29%
repeat founders
of 17 founders with career history
~2 yrs
old at investment
median across 8 dated deals

Founding team size:solo founder×202 founders×173 founders×1

Where their founders studiedfrom 12 founders with education data

Stanford University ×3Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×2

Where their founders worked beforefrom 17 founders with career history

SUPPLY CHANGE CAPITAL ×3Bank of America ×2

Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program

Techstars ×5Y Combinator ×2

Investments · 97 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2024 · 12023 · 22022 · 22021 · 22020 · 12019 · 12018 · 32015 · 113 dated

Beyond Meatbeyondmeat.comin𝕏NASDAQ: BYND

Beyond Meat creates plant-based protein products, including burgers and other foods designed to provide nutritional value while supporting environmental sustainability and soil regeneration.

Advanced ManufacturingAgTechClimate TechFoodTechEl Segundo, US

Ethan Brown(Founder & CEO)Teri L. Witteman(Executive Officer)Jonathan Nelson(Executive Officer)Dariush Ajami, Ph.D.(Executive Officer)Drew Lufkin(Executive Officer)John Boken(Executive Officer)

Co-investorsBlue Horizon CorporationCollaborative FundCPT CapitalDns CapitalEvolution VC PartnersGreatPoint Ventures+12 more

Bear Roboticsbearrobotics.aiin𝕏Aug 2019✓ verified

Bear Robotics builds autonomous mobile robots for hospitality and logistics, including restaurant service robots (Servi) that deliver food and bus tables and warehouse AMRs (CARTI) for point-to-point transport and line-side replenishment.

AI & Machine LearningHardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsRedwood City, US

Jungwoo Ha(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)John Ha(CEO)Fangwei Li(Executive Officer, Promoter)

Co-investorsKT investment Inc.Lotte VenturesVela PartnersSoftBank Group

NURITASnuritas.comin✓ verified

Nuritas uses a proprietary AI platform, the Nuritas Magnifier, to discover and clinically validate bioactive peptide ingredients derived from natural sources.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechFoodTechDublin, IE

Dr. Nora Khaldi(Founder & CEO)inJohn Casey(Chief Manufacturing & Supply Chain Officer)Conor Walshe(Chief Financial Officer)Alison Anderson(Chief People Officer)

Co-investorsMcWin Capital PartnersMarc BenioffEuropean Circular Bioeconomy FundKeiretsu ForumCultivian Sandbox VenturesSandbox Industries

PreciTasteprecitaste.cominJan 2022✓ verified

PreciTaste offers an AI-driven kitchen management platform that gives restaurant teams demand forecasts, prep lists, and portion guidance to manage daily operational tasks.

AI & Machine LearningFoodTechSaaSNew York, US

Ingo Stork-Wersborg(CEO & Co-Founder)Laura Stork-Wersborg(Co-Founder & Board Member (COO))inHauke Feddersen(VP of Operations)Frederik Born(VP of Engineering)Laura Horstman(Director and Chief Operating Officer)David Bregler(Chief Operating Officer)

Co-investorsMelitas Ventures LlcEnlightened Hospitality InvestmentsMonogram Capital Partners

Doms Marketdomschicago.comMar 2021DefunctSEC filingmedium confidence

Dom's is a Chicago sandwich shop serving deli items such as its turkey club made with local Slagel Farm smoked turkey, bacon, provolone, and various toppings.

ConsumerChicago, US

Robert A. Mariano(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Donald G. Fitzgerald(Executive Officer, Promoter)Jay L. Owen(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)

BoardKeith L. Kravcik(Director)inGreg Wasson(Director)Jonathan Shulkin(Director)

Board seatKeith Kravcik· per SEC Form D · $15M raise · filed Apr 2021

Co-investorsValor Equity PartnersInnventus

Good Planet Foodsgoodplanetfoods.comin𝕏May 2020

GOOD PLANeT Foods makes plant-based cheese made with olive oil, offering products with minimal saturated fat and good melt as an alternative to dairy cheese for consumers.

Advanced ManufacturingConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechBellevue, US

David Israel(Founder)Joe Essa(Director)Michael Frey(Director)Dan Gross(Director)Josh Wand(Director)Jay Bauer(Director)

Board seatKeith Kravcik· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsGreatPoint VenturesLever VCStray Dog Capital

<UNKNOWN>

Produces ultra-purified still and sparkling waters packed in 100% recyclable aluminum bottles and cans

86 Repairs86repairs.comin

86 Repairs provides a platform to help restaurants manage repairs and maintenance, removing the burden of equipment R&M so operators can focus on their core business.

Enterprise SoftwareSaaS

Daniel Estrada(Founder & CEO)

Co-investorsChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Connetic VenturesID VenturesLightbankLofty VenturesM25+5 more

Aigenaigen.ioin𝕏

Aigen builds solar-powered autonomous field robots ("Element") that use AI vision to identify and mechanically remove weeds without chemicals.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningRoboticsSeattle, US

Richard Wurden(Co-founder)inKenny Lee(Co-founder)in

BoardDan Fitzgerald(Director)Andrew Schoen(Director)inHenry Magun(Director)

Co-investorsIndustrious VenturesNew Enterprise Associates (NEA)AgFunderReGen Ventures

American BackhoeAcquired

Construction company offering electrical and excavating services

Americanbackhoellcamericanbackhoellc.com
ApologueMar 2018

Manufacturer and provider of ready-to-drink cocktails and spirits

Advanced ManufacturingChicago, US

Jordan Tepper(Manager of Issuer)

Baby Quipbabyquip.comin𝕏

BabyQuip is an online marketplace for renting and delivering baby gear — cribs, car seats, strollers, high chairs and more — to families traveling on vacation.

ConsumerMarketplacesTravel & HospitalitySanta Fe, US

Frances Maier(Executive Officer, Director)Fran Maier(Founder)inJoseph Maier(Executive Officer, Director)

Co-investorsHow Women InvestLiebenthal VenturesMoai CapitalPasadena AngelsQuake Capital

Bartesianbartesian.com𝕏

Bartesian creates an appliance that automatically produces bar-quality cocktails at home on demand.

ConsumerHardware

Ryan Close(Founder, CEO)in

Co-investorsChannel 4 VenturesConvivialité VenturesStanley Ventures

Beatclubbeatclub.comin

Global marketplace connecting music creators with labels and brands

West Hollywood, US

Timothy Mosley(Executive Officer, Director)Gary Marella(Executive Officer, Director)Wilson Rondini IV(Director)

Believerbeliever.ggin

Believer is a game development studio with a team of experienced game designers, engineers, and artists creating video games.

GamingLos Angeles, US

Michael Chow(Chief Executive Officer)

Co-investorsAndreessen HorowitzLightspeed Venture PartnersNext Legacy PartnersUpfront Ventures

Bemyfriendsbemyfriends.comin

bemyfriends provides fandom business solutions that combine IT platforms with consulting services, helping creators and brands build sustainable businesses around their fan communities.

Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSaaSSocial

Co-investorsPrime PartnersAMUSE

Better Foodsin

Alternative foods maker advocating better health and sustainability

Sacramento, US

Hyun Suk Song(Director)Yongwoo Kim(Executive Officer)Jung Hwan Sung(Director)

Bhaktidrinkbhakti.com𝕏

Bhakti makes cold-pressed organic ginger chai concentrate and related tea beverages, using organic and fair-trade black tea and sugar that are non-GMO verified.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechBoulder, US

Brook Eddy(Director)Sarah Bird(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardRyan Kirkpatrick(Director)Jim Kelley(Director)inJohn Foraker(Director)

Co-investorsThe Colorado Impact Fund

Brewvobrewvo.comin

BrewVo, developed by Sustainable Beverage Technologies (SBT), is a "nested fermentation" brewing process for producing non-alcoholic beer across various beer styles.

FoodTech

Bydreandsnoopbydreandsnoop.com𝕏

Bydre and Snoop produces canned ready-to-drink gin cocktails made with premium gin, real fruit juice, and botanicals, sold in flavours such as apricot, melon, citrus, and passionfruit.

ConsumerDirect to Consumer

CancerIQcanceriq.comin𝕏

CancerIQ is a healthcare software platform that helps hospitals and providers run cancer risk-assessment and precision prevention programs by gathering patient data, triaging patients into risk tiers using guidelines like NCCN and Tyrer-Cuzick, and managing genetic counseling, testing, and ongoing care.

Digital HealthHealthtechSaaS

Feyi Ayodele(Founder)in

Co-investors2Flo VenturesHealthX VenturesMcKesson VenturesOSF VenturesImpact Engine

Ceek

Developer of premium social virtual and augmented reality experiences

Ceekvrceekvr.com

CEEK VR is a virtual reality streaming and content-monetization platform for concerts and events, with blockchain-based usage tracking.

CH4 Globalch4global.comin

CH4 Global develops greenhouse gas mitigation solutions centered on Asparagopsis seaweed, producing feed supplements that reduce enteric methane emissions from cattle for the livestock and agriculture industries.

AgTechCleantechClimate TechFoodTech

Steve Meller(CEO, President & Co-Founder)in

Co-investorsDCVC (Data Collective)AgFunderDCVC Bio

CLARA

AI-powered HR platform for resume screening

Craftablecraftable.comin𝕏

Craftable makes back-office management software for hospitality businesses, covering food and beverage, supplies, labor, and finance operations for restaurants and bars.

Enterprise SoftwareFintechFoodTechSaaSFarmers Branch, US

Sam Zats(Co-founder)Max Zats(Co-founder)Jay Villafana(Co-founder)

Co-investorsBlue CollectiveNext Play Ventures

CurlMixcurlmix.comin𝕏

CurlMix creates natural hair care products designed for curly hair, particularly for women with textured and gray hair.

ConsumerWellness & FitnessChicago, US

Kim Lewis(CEO & Co-Founder)Tim Lewis(Founder)in

Co-investorsBackstage CapitalLightship CapitalNext Play VenturesOssian Capital

Drinkopenwaterdrinkopenwater.com𝕏

Open Water is a beverage brand that sells purified water with added electrolytes packaged in recyclable aluminum cans as an alternative to plastic bottles.

Circular EconomyConsumerDirect to Consumer

Eliyaneliyan.comin

Eliyan develops chiplet interconnect PHY technologies, including its NuLink and NuLink-X products, aimed at increasing bandwidth, power efficiency, and lowering total cost of ownership for generative AI and high-performance computing data center systems.

Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors

Ramin Farjadrad(Founder & CEO)inPatrick Soheili(Co-founder & CEO)inSyrus Ziai(Co-founder & VP of Engineering)in

Co-investorsCelesta CapitalCelesta CapitalCisco InvestmentsIntel CapitalMESHOpen Field Capital+2 more

Eventnoireeventnoire.comin𝕏Sep 2018

Eventnoire is a ticketing and event management platform built for event creators and organizations focused on community building, particularly serving Black-owned and culture-centered events.

ConsumerE-commerceMarketplacesSaaSChicago, US

Oluwafemi Masha(Executive Officer, Director)Onyewuchi Osuji(Executive Officer)Peter Jideonwo(Director)

Co-investorsLongJump VenturesTechstars

Every Body Eat

Shelf-stable allergen-free food brand

Everybodyeatingeverybodyeating.com

Every Body Eat makes allergen-friendly snacks such as crackers and thins using whole ingredients, with certifications including non-GMO, gluten free, kosher, and seed-oil free.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech

Trish Thomas(Co-founder)Nichole Wilson(Co-founder)

Co-investorsGolden Seeds

Evigenceevigence.comin

Evigence offers a freshness management platform that combines time/temperature sensors placed in shipping boxes with data analytics to monitor and optimize food freshness across the supply chain.

FoodTechHardwareIoTLogistics & Supply Chain

Exploreapologueexploreapologue.com

Apologue Cocktail Co. produces liqueurs and ready-to-serve bottled cocktails made from natural, non-GMO ingredients, and operates Hoste Pilsen, a combined production facility, event venue, and gathering space.

ConsumerDirect to Consumer

Farmer’s Fridgefarmersfridge.com𝕏

Farmer's Fridge operates a network of smart, automated Fridges that dispense fresh, healthy meals and snacks.

ConsumerFoodTechHardwareRetail Tech

Luke Saunders(Founder)in

Co-investorsDanone Manifesto VentureDns CapitalGreatPoint VenturesMaywic Select InvestmentsMDT VenturesSpiral Sun Ventures+1 more

Fireboltfirebolt-group.comin𝕏

Firebolt provides a fully managed solution for physical marketing activities, handling the design, manufacturing, and execution of materials such as illuminated LED signage, point-of-purchase displays, branded merchandise, and custom night tools for global brands and agencies.

AI & Machine LearningHardwareMarketing Tech

Co-investorsID Ventures

Five to Ninefivetonine.coin𝕏Apr 2022

Five to Nine offers a platform for planning and managing workplace events and programs, including event creation, communications, budget tracking, and analytics.

Future of WorkHR TechSaaSChicago, US

Denise Umubyeyi(Co-founder)Jasmine Shells(Co-founder & CEO)Heather Hiles(Director)

Co-investorsDorm RoomBlack OperatorSterling RoadWestbound Equity Partners

Flipper'sflippers.world

Direct-to-consumer apparel and lifestyle business

Liberty Ross(Founder)in

FoodBossfoodboss.com𝕏

The page presents restaurant listings, including MAD Social (American cuisine in Chicago's West Loop, offering delivery and carry out) and JoJo's Shake Bar (known for heavily garnished shakes).

ConsumerFoodTechChicago, US

Michael DiBenedetto(Founder)inMark Farnham(Founder)in

Footprint

Biodegradable, compostable solutions as plastic alternatives

Co-investorsMcWin Capital PartnersS2G Investments

Footprint USfootprintus.comin𝕏

Footprint develops and manufactures plant-based fiber materials and packaging designed as alternatives to single-use plastic.

Circular EconomyCleantechNew Materials

Co-investorsSecond Avenue PartnersImpact EngineS2G Investments

Fullglassfullglass.wineinFeb 2024

Full Glass Wine Co. operates a multi-brand direct-to-consumer wine platform, acquiring and consolidating DTC wine companies to offer curated wine selections across varying price points and customer profiles.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceLake Forest, US

Louis Amoroso(Co-founder & Co-CEO)inNeha Kumar(Co-founder & Co-CEO)LOUIS AMOROSO(MANAGER & CEO)

BoardPETER CALLAGHAN(MANAGER)PAUL KOZLOWSKI(MANAGER)NEHA KUMAR(MANAGER)

Gaming studio

Next-generation gaming studio focusing on developing real-time multiplayer open-world games, leveraging AI and Machine Learning for character and environment development

Getclaragetclara.ioin

CLARA is an AI-powered candidate screening tool that scores and ranks job applicants, highlights their skills, and integrates with the Teamtailor applicant tracking system.

AI & Machine LearningHR TechSaaS

Gin & Juice

Spirits-based ready-to-drink beverage company

Gray Matter Analyticsgraymatteranalytics.comin𝕏May 2015

Gray Matter Analytics provides healthcare data analytics for value-based contract management and performance monitoring, serving state Medicaid agencies, payors, and providers.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureHealthtechChicago, US

Sheila Talton(Executive Officer, Director)in

Co-investorsHow Women Invest

Hero

Zero net carb, zero sugar flour-based foods made with plant-based proteins and fibers.

Hero Breadhero.coin𝕏

Hero produces low-carb bread and baked goods, including bagels, buns, sliced bread, tortillas, and noodles, sold direct-to-consumer online with subscription options and through retail partners.

Direct to ConsumerE-commerceFoodTech

Co-investorsFirstMile VenturesGreatPoint VenturesHAWKTAILUnion Grove Venture Partners

Innovareinnovaresip.comin𝕏Aug 2021

Innovare offers Inno, a strategic intelligence platform for schools that connects data sources such as attendance, assessment, and student support into one workspace.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaSChicago, US

Fernando DeLeón(Founder)Nicholas Freeman(Executive Officer)Fernando DeLeon(Executive Officer, Director)Adrian DeLeon(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardMarcos Gonzalez(Director)

Co-investorsPortfoliaPropellant VenturesTAWANI VenturesVamosVenturesChingona Ventures

Intelligent Growth Solutionsintelligentgrowthsolutions.comin𝕏

Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) develops and manufactures vertical farming technology using a Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) approach, providing automated, biosecure indoor growing systems and growth recipes for crop growers.

AgTechFoodTechHardwareIoT

Co-investorsOspraie Ag ScienceS2G InvestmentsAgFunder

Kurvball

BBQ-flavored spirits combining whiskey with barbecue

Kurvballwhiskeykurvballwhiskey.com

Kurvball appears to be a whiskey brand, based on the domain name; the accessible page was only an age-verification gate with no further details about the product or company.

Consumer

LiftUp Enterprises

For-profit social enterprise providing cleaning and landscaping services

Liftupchicagoliftupchicago.orgin𝕏

LiftUp Enterprises is a for-profit, MBE-certified social enterprise that builds and grows businesses managed with dignity, creating jobs with benefits and wraparound support services for employees.

Future of WorkImpact & Social GoodChicago, US

Julian Posada(President and CEO)

Listener Brands

Parent company of DTC haircare brands

Chicago, US

Leslie Roland Truelove(Executive Officer, Director)Timothy Lewis(Executive Officer)Kimberly Lewis(Executive Officer)

Mayvennmayvenn.com𝕏

Mayvenn sells human hair extensions and wigs and connects customers with beauty experts and hairstylists for personalized consultations.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerce

Diishan Imira(Founder & CEO)inTaylor Wang(Founder)in

Co-investors500 GlobalAndreessen HorowitzBase Venture Management, Inc.Core Venture CapitalImpact America FundLaunchCapital+13 more

NeuRealityneureality.aiin𝕏

NeuReality builds software and networking infrastructure that helps AI teams improve GPU and XPU utilization, throughput, and cost per token for production AI inference.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureSemiconductors

Moshe Tanach(Co-founder & CEO)Tzvika Shmueli(Co-Founder & COO)Yossi Kasus(Co-Founder & VP VLSI)Lior Khermosh(CTO)Itay Avilevich(VP R&D)Gaurav Shah(VP Business Development)

Co-investorsCardumen CapitalGefen CapitalOurCrowdVaranaXT Venture CapitalXT Hi-Tech

NotConotco.ai

NotCo offers a vertical AI platform and model stack that helps large consumer packaged goods companies generate, validate, and formulate new products, running digital experiments across R&D, procurement, marketing, and operations.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFoodTechSantiago

Matias Muchnick(Director, Promoter)Karim Pichara(Director, Promoter)

BoardElio Leoni-Sceti(Director)inFrederick Blackford(Director)Ramiro Lauzan(Director)Nicolas Szekasy(Director)in

Co-investorsB CapitalKaszek VenturesSOSVThe CraftoryTrousdale VenturesBezos Expeditions+4 more

Open Water

Ultra-purified water in recyclable aluminum bottles

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.

Exits · 1

IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolio

Beyond MeatNASDAQ: BYND

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Cleveland Avenue made?
Cleveland Avenue has 92 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO.
What stage does Cleveland Avenue invest at?
Cleveland Avenue invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
What is Cleveland Avenue's typical check size?
Cleveland Avenue typically writes checks of $1M – $10M.
What sectors does Cleveland Avenue focus on?
Cleveland Avenue focuses on AgTech, AI & Machine Learning, Consumer, Creator Economy, FoodTech, Impact & Social Good, Robotics, SaaS, Sector Agnostic, Semiconductors.
Where is Cleveland Avenue located?
Cleveland Avenue is headquartered in Chicago, US.
Does Cleveland Avenue lead rounds?
Yes, Cleveland Avenue leads investment rounds.
Who does Cleveland Avenue co-invest with?
Cleveland Avenue most often shares deals with GreatPoint Ventures, Techstars, Backstage Capital, among 153 tracked co-investors.

Co-investors · 8

Revolution

Revolution is an investment firm that has backed founders, communities, and ideas for over two decades, spanning venture capital, entrepreneurship advocacy, and real estate and hospitality investments.

$100K – $1M
Andreessen Horowitz

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is a venture capital firm founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, known for pioneering the platform model with a large team of operators supporting founders across stages.

Both backed · 2
$500K – $50M
Lightspeed Venture Partners

Lightspeed is a global venture capital firm that has spent over two decades backing innovative companies as an early and first investor.

Both backed · 1
$1.7M – $87M
Evolution VC Partners

Evolution VC Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in and supports companies across all stages, focusing on 'culture-tech' businesses that shape and define contemporary culture.

Both backed · 1
Sixty8 Capital

Sixty8 Capital is a venture firm focused on backing undercapitalized founders and innovators — those with strong ideas but limited access to capital due to race, gender, sexual orientation, or geography, particularly in overlooked regions.

Both backed · 1
$250K – $500K
Alumni Ventures

Alumni Ventures (AV) is a venture capital firm that co-invests alongside lead VCs in startups, backing founders with capital and access to a large investor and operator community.

$100K – $10M
Scribble Ventures

Scribble Ventures is an early-stage venture firm run by product and go-to-market leaders from OpenAI, Meta, Twitter, and a16z, backing AI native founders at the pre-seed and seed stages.

$750K – $1.5M
Ingeborg Investments

Ingeborg invests directly in early-stage, women-led startups with a focus on innovations improving motherhood, career, financial security, women's health, and living conditions. The firm also makes select investments in later-stage companies and women-led venture or private equity funds.

Firms observed investing alongside Cleveland Avenue, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Cleveland Avenue's recorded portfolio.

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