eLab Ventures
Venture capitalAnn Arbor · Seed–Series A · 3 people tracked
Investment thesis
eLab Ventures focuses on backing businesses in which AI serves as the differentiating factor for creating market disruption. The firm concentrates its investments on AI-driven companies positioned to reshape their markets.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.
Team · 3 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 25 of 29 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×12Enterprise Software ×6Data & Infrastructure ×5Hardware ×5Developer Tools ×4IoT ×4SaaS ×4Advanced Manufacturing ×3
HQs:United States×16Hong Kong×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 17 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×82 founders×73 founders×2
Investments · 29 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 12024 · 12017 · 12016 · 12015 · 15 dated
Grand Rapids, US
Nathan E. Owen(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardMichael Morin(Director)Jason Mark Plimi(Director)David V. Huhn(Director)Carl B. Erickson(Director)Paul D'Amato(Director)
Board seatDoug Neal· per SEC Form D · $10M raise · filed Aug 2016
Co-investorsStart Garden
Adrenaline Interactive provides in-game advertising technology that places real brands into mobile games through proprietary reskinning software, serving both game publishers seeking new revenue and advertisers wanting to reach players.
AdTechGaming
Carson Mathews(CEO)
Co-investorsAntlerAntler AustraliaMichigan Rise
Akadeum manufactures GMP-compliant ancillary materials for cell and gene therapy applications, specializing in microbubble-based negative selection products.
Advanced ManufacturingBiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesAnn Arbor, US
Kalyan Handique(Executive Officer, Director)John Younger(Executive Officer, Director)James Militello(Executive Officer)
BoardJeffrey S. Williams(Director)Paul D'Amato(Director)Dan Kidle(Director)in
Co-investorsArboretum VenturesBeringeaBerkeley CatalystBlueStone Venture PartnersID VenturesInvest Michigan+5 more
Aperia develops tire management technology that monitors and maintains tire inflation and predictive maintenance for commercial fleets and consumers.
HardwareIoTLogistics & Supply ChainBurlingame, US
JOSHUA CARTER(Executive Officer, Director)BRANDON RICHARDSON(Executive Officer)
BoardJACK FUCHS(Director)HAL KRUTH(Director)ANDREW SMITH(Director)STEPHEN GRAND(Director)
Co-investorsBlackhorn VenturesEnerTech CapitalTrucks VCAugment VenturesLateral Capital
Bindplane provides an observability platform that collects, processes, and routes telemetry data from IT infrastructure and applications.
Data & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise Software
Co-investorsEdison PartnersLewis & Clark VenturesWakestream Ventures
BlastPoint provides software that transforms data into actionable intelligence for organizations, helping them drive growth while considering long-term impacts and protecting against unintended harms from data-driven decisions.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwarePittsburgh, US
Tomer Borenstein(Director, Executive Officer)Alison Alvarez(Founder)Tony Cebzanov
BoardDoug Neal(Director)inMichael Perrin(Director)inEthan Linkner(Director)in
Co-investorsAllos VenturesBTECH CONSORTIUMChloe CapitalCurql Collective, LLCIrishAngelsMichigan Capital Network+4 more
BUILD is a nonprofit organization that provides youth development programs and mentorship services.
EdTechImpact & Social GoodSocial
Co-investorsIndex VenturesW11 Capital
Cobalt provides penetration testing as a service (PTaaS) and offensive security testing for enterprises, offering both on-demand pentests and continuous testing programs enhanced with AI-powered vulnerability detection.
CybersecurityEnergyEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSilicon Valley, US
Jacob Hansen(Founder)inChristian HansenEsben Friis-JensenJakob Storm
Co-investors500 GlobalHighland EuropeKima VenturesSparkland CapitalPlug and Play VenturesSequoia Capital
DevPlan delivers role-specific project briefings to team members via Slack and email, highlighting action items, risks, changes, and decisions relevant to their work.
Developer ToolsSaaSBoca Raton, US
Chris Bee(Founder)inAnton Safonov(Founder)
Co-investorsAllen Institute for AI (AI2) IncubatorGrand VenturesMighty CapitalService Provider CapitalAcequia Capital (AceCap)AI2 Incubator
GripFusion develops tactile measurement technology embedded in baseballs paired with analytics software to measure pitcher grip force, spatial distribution, and timing.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareSports Tech
Mason J. Ferlic(Founder & CEO)Michael T. Freehill(Founder)
A healthcare software company that uses AI to improve clinical registry data abstraction and patient care operations, combining domain expertise from healthcare with machine learning technology developed by former researchers at leading tech companies.
AI & Machine LearningDigital Health
Co-investorsAllen Institute for AI (AI2) Incubator
IP Author is a generative AI platform for patent professionals that enables drafting, searching, and responding to patent office actions.
AI & Machine LearningLegalTechHong Kong, HK
Samir Raiyani(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardCynthia Padnos(Director)inRobert Stefanski(Director)in
Co-investorsIlluminate Ventures
LineLeap operates a mobile app that allows nightlife customers to skip venue lines, purchase cover charges, buy event tickets, and order drinks at bars and clubs.
ConsumerFoodTechFuture of WorkMarketplacesNew York City, US
Nicholas Becker(Founder)inMax Schauff(Founder)inPatrick Skelly(Founder)in
Co-investorsAltaIR Capitalgener8torGoat Rodeo CapitalGreat Oaks Venture CapitalHelium-3 VenturesRaptor Group+3 more
Lumetec develops an AI-powered monitoring platform that combines real-time data sources to detect and prevent threats to subsea cables and critical infrastructure.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense Tech
Jorge C. Castellanos(Founder)in
Co-investorsID Ventures
Co-investorsID Ventures
MemryX develops edge AI accelerator hardware and software solutions designed for efficient deployment across embedded systems.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsAnn Arbor, US
Dr. Wei Lu(Co-founder)
Co-investorsHemi Ventures, LlcM Ventures
The Michigan History Foundation is a nonprofit that raises private funds to collect, preserve, and interpret Michigan's history, supporting the state's museum system, archives, publications, historic preservation, and educational programs.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & EntertainmentLansing, US
Motmot develops robotic systems to modernize how cities and water utilities manage and monitor their water infrastructure.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareGovTechIoTRoboticsEast Lansing, US
Zack(Head of Brand, Marketing & Communications)inElliot Smith(Executive Officer, Director)in
Co-investorsAssembly VenturesMichigan Rise
MuukTest provides AI-powered quality assurance automation as a managed service, combining proprietary AI agents with expert QA engineers to design, execute, and maintain automated tests for software teams.
AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsSaaSRaleigh, US
Ivan Barajas Vargas(Founder)
Co-investorsCalano VenturesContour Venture PartnersIDEA NCTechstarsSilicon Road Ventures
Pinnacle provides text-based management coaching delivered via Slack, connecting managers with coaches for personalized guidance on leadership skills, team engagement, and conflict resolution.
Future of WorkHR Tech
Co-investors57Blocks CapitalSarah Smith
Pulsora provides an ESG management platform that helps companies track, measure, and report on environmental, social, and governance performance.
Climate TechData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareImpact & Social GoodSaaSSan Mateo, US
Murat Sönmez(Co-Founder & CEO)inInderjeet Singh(Co-Founder & CTO)in
Co-investorsFINTOP CapitalAccenture VenturesAramco VenturesBuilders VCGalvanize Climate SolutionsJetBlue Ventures+2 more
Rachio makes smart irrigation controllers that automatically adjust watering based on weather, season, and local conditions to reduce outdoor water waste for residential properties.
Climate TechConsumerHardwareIoTDenver, US
Franz Garsombke(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Christopher M. Klein(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Gary Stone(Executive Officer)Christopher Klein(Executive Officer, Director)Jordan Mendell(Director)Chris Klein
Co-investors500 GlobalArborview CapitalBLH Venture Partners, LLCEastside PartnersMetaPropMetaProp Ventures+3 more
Sight Machine develops AI agents that optimize manufacturing operations by analyzing industrial data, connecting production systems, and providing autonomous recommendations to improve output and reduce waste.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US
Jon Sobel(Chief Executive Officer and President)inNathan Oostendorp(Secretary and Treasurer)
BoardAdrian Fortino(Director)inMark Jacobsen(Director)Roger Ehrenberg(Director)
Co-investorsDnx VenturesFundersClubFuture Energy VenturesHuron River VenturesMercury FundMomenta Ventures+3 more
Traxen provides driver assistance and fleet management technology for truck drivers and fleet managers, delivering cost savings through improved fuel efficiency, reduced insurance claims, and enhanced driver safety.
AI & Machine LearningIoTLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & Transportation
Ali M.(Founder)in
Co-investorsVoLo Earth Ventures
Verge Aero develops and operates fully integrated drone show systems for professional production teams and entertainment events.
Creator EconomyHardwareManchaca, US
Chris Franzwa(CTO)Anthony Merlino(CEO)Tony Samaritano(VP of Flight Operations)Nils Thorjussen(Executive Chairman)
Co-investorsOsage Venture Partners
Voxel51 provides data and model management tools for computer vision and AI development.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeveloper Tools
Brian Moore(Founder)in
Co-investorsBessemer Venture PartnersDrive CapitalFoothill VenturesID VenturesShasta VenturesTop Harvest Capital+1 more
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.
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Build · theaiinsider.tech · Jul 17, 2026
Voxel51 · start-midwest.com · Jul 14, 2026
Verge · theverge.com · Jun 25, 2026
Pulsora · esgtechreport.com · Apr 25, 2026
Bindplane · crainsgrandrapids.com · Apr 16, 2026
Rachio · bitscale.ai · Dec 9, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has eLab Ventures made?
- eLab Ventures has 28 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does eLab Ventures invest at?
- eLab Ventures invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What is eLab Ventures's typical check size?
- eLab Ventures typically writes checks of $25K – $100K.
- What sectors does eLab Ventures focus on?
- eLab Ventures focuses on AI & Machine Learning.
- Where is eLab Ventures located?
- eLab Ventures is headquartered in Ann Arbor, US.
- Does eLab Ventures lead rounds?
- eLab Ventures typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does eLab Ventures co-invest with?
- eLab Ventures most often shares deals with ID Ventures, Michigan Rise, 500 Global, among 73 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamFund Facts | Doug Neal, eLab Ventures | MEDC
Michigan Economic Development Corporation · Doug Neal
Bob Stefanski, eLab Ventures | Mobile World Congress 2017
SiliconANGLE theCUBE · Bob Stefanski
Fund Facts | Doug Neal of eLab Ventures | MEDC | How can #startups virtually engage with the venture capital community? Doug Neal of eLab ventures shares his advice for #entrepreneurs in our newest... | By Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Doug Neal · facebook.com
Images
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