Listen Ventures
Venture capitalActively deployingChicago · Seed–Series A · 7 people tracked
Also known as LISTEN LLC
Find your way into Listen Ventures
1,931 people in our graph share verified history with the Listen Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Listen is a consumer-obsessed venture capital firm that backs founders building disruptive brands positioned at the tipping point of behavioral shifts. The firm emphasizes deep listening and consumer insight as central to identifying and supporting emerging brands and companies shaping the future of how people live and consume.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 15, 2026.
Team · 7 people
from public directories
Founder mafia
2 people who came through Listen Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 24 of 39 portfolio companiesConsumer ×14Direct to Consumer ×12Wellness & Fitness ×9E-commerce ×5Healthtech ×5Digital Health ×4FoodTech ×4Creator Economy ×3
HQs:United States×23India×1
Investments · 39 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 32025 · 32024 · 22023 · 32022 · 12021 · 42020 · 12019 · 12018 · 42017 · 12016 · 225 dated
Carol Stream, US
John Mikulich(Executive Officer)Nathan Laurell(Executive Officer, Director)inWilliam Besenhofer(Executive Officer, Director)Besar Xhelili(Director)
BoardLindsay Levin(Director)
Board seatJeff Cantalupo· per SEC Form D · $3M raise · filed Jan 2026
Cafeteria is a platform that connects teens with brands for paid conversations and content creation opportunities.
AI & Machine LearningB2B MarketplacesConsumerCreator EconomyMarketing TechSocialNew York, US
Rishi Malhotra(Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer.)in
Co-investorsCollaborative FundImaginary Venture Capital
Onyx MP operates a telehealth e-commerce platform and end-to-end software connecting patients, board-certified practitioners, and compounding pharmacies, with a focus on access to compounded medications.
Digital HealthDirect to ConsumerHealthtechAustin, US
Michael Apostal(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardKent Bains(Director)Vikas Patel(Director)Vipul Khanpara(Director)
Board seatJeff CantalupoRick Desai· per SEC Form D · $14.9M raise · filed Feb 2025
Rise Gardens makes indoor hydroponic garden systems that grow up to 108 plants and 40 lbs of produce per month without soil, paired with a companion app that provides automated lighting, watering, and step-by-step growing guidance.
AgTechConsumerHardwareChicago, US
Henry Adams(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Board seatJeff Cantalupo· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsAmazon Alexa FundTELUS VenturesTrue Ventures
Slumberkins creates children's books, plush creatures, and affirmations designed to teach kids emotional lessons and build resilience.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerEdTechSpokane, US
Callie Christensen(Chief Brand Officer)inKelly Oriard(Chief Therapeutic Officer)inSuzanne Kolb(Chief Executive Officer)inMark Schneider(Chief Financial Officer)in
BoardEdith Dorsen(Director)inCaroline Lewis(Director)in
Board seatRick Desai· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsDns CapitalLong Way VenturesRogue Womens FundSeaChangeCascade Seed FundInterplay Ventures Early Stage Management Llc
Calm is a mental health app offering guided meditations, sleep stories, soundscapes, and stress-relief tools designed to help users manage anxiety, improve sleep, and build healthy habits for overall wellness.
HealthtechMental HealthWellness & FitnessMiami, US
David Ko(CEO)Tyler Tringas(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Co-investorsAcumen AmericaBrighter CapitalCherubic VenturesConnect VenturesElefundEQUIAM+18 more
Codeverse is a monthly kit and online platform where children ages 6–13 build and publish real apps and games using actual coding.
ConsumerCreator EconomyEdTechGaming
Katy(CEO)Brittany(Design)Craig(Chairman)
Co-investorsInvestHER VenturesMuse Capital
Dame designs and engineers sexual wellness products, including vibrators such as Eva and Fin, developed in-house to address disparities in sexual pleasure and satisfaction for women.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFemTechWellness & FitnessNew York, US
Alexandra Fine(Co-founder)inJanet Lieberman(Co-founder)
Co-investorsAmboy Street VenturesigniteXL VentureJoyance Partners
Dame designs and engineers sexual wellness products, including vibrators and other sex toys, developed in-house with input from a clinical board.
Direct to ConsumerFemTechWellness & FitnessBrooklyn, US
Alexandra Fine(Co-founder)inJanet Lieberman(Co-founder)inBenjamin Aldridge(Executive Officer)
BoardRick Desai(Director)in
Co-investorsAssembled BrandsigniteXL VentureJoyance PartnersChingona Ventures
Factor is a meal delivery service offering 100+ chef-prepared, dietitian-approved ready-to-eat meals across preferences like Keto, High Protein, Calorie Smart, and Vegan, plus 70+ add-on items such as snacks and smoothies.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechWellness & Fitness
Nick Wernimont(Founder)in
Co-investorsBluestein VenturesFlow CapitalHyde Park Angels
E-commerce
Co-investorsChicago VenturesIrishAngelsPallasite VenturesPeterson Venture Partners
Jolie manufactures shower water filters designed to remove impurities before water contacts skin and hair.
ConsumerWellness & FitnessLos Angeles, US
ANN HSING(Executive Officer)DAVE BERAN(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)MICHAEL SIMKIN(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)AARON SIMKIN(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Co-investorsMidnightResolute Ventures
KiwiCo creates hands-on creative project kits for children, helping families spend time building, exploring, and creating together.
ConsumerCreator EconomyEdTech
Sandra Oh LinYael Pasternak ValekYu Pan
Co-investors500 GlobalBBG VenturesBrighter CapitalComcast VenturesFelicis VenturesForerunner Ventures+2 more
Miss Grass is a cannabis brand that makes premium products including THC-infused gummies and flower, with a focus on effects and terpene profiles.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechWellness & Fitness
Co-investorsAdvancit CapitalCasa Verde CapitalMerida Capital HoldingsHelm
Wellness & FitnessNew York City, US
Aaron Albert(Executive Officer, Director)Mark Groves(Executive Officer)Matthew Sadofsky(Director)
BoardJeff Cantalupo(Director)in
Co-investorsSocial StartsTechstarsAble PartnersJoyance PartnersRoute 66 VenturesWndrCo
Nguyen Coffee Supply sells Vietnamese coffee products, including ground espresso, marketed to consumers.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceBrooklyn, US
Sarah Nguyen(President and sole manager.)Sahra Nguyen(Founder)in
Co-investors37 AngelsFlucas VenturesGaingelsGFR FundGutter CapitalHyphen Capital
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Oros Apparel manufactures premium winter outerwear, including the Orion Apex Parka, featuring NASA-grade SOLARCORE® aerogel insulation technology designed to provide warmth without bulk.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerHardwareNew Materials
Co-investorsBeyond CapitalElizabeth Street VenturesigniteXL VentureService Provider CapitalAirbus Ventures
Own Up is a mortgage advisory platform that uses technology to help homebuyers evaluate lenders, understand affordability, and compare loan offers.
FintechPropTechBoston, US
Patrick Boyaggi(Co-founder & CEO)inMike Tassone(Co-founder & COO)inBrent Shields(Co-founder & CTO)in
BoardBrian Spaly(Director)inRick Desai(Director)inDominic Lloyd(Director)in
Co-investorsLaunchCapitalLink VenturesTechstarsBrand Foundry VenturesMassChallenge
Public Goods sells household, personal care, and everyday consumer products made with natural ingredients and sustainable materials, offered through a membership model.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceHealthtech
Morgan Hirsh(Founder)in
Co-investors500 GlobalChapter OneKnockout CapitalYes VC
Rugiet provides telemedicine services for erectile dysfunction and men's sexual performance, offering prescription medications compounded in the USA and delivered directly to patients after remote medical consultation.
Digital HealthHealthtech
Vikas Patel(Founder)in
Co-investorsFf Venture CapitalInterlace VenturesRosecliff VenturesG20 Ventures
Sigo Seguros is a digital auto insurance agency that lets customers compare quotes from multiple insurers online and buy a policy in Spanish, with or without a US driver's license.
FintechInsurTech
Nestor Hugo Solari(Founder)in
Co-investorsKern Venture GroupNewlin VenturesRemarkable VenturesBlockchain Founders FundChingona VenturesFiat Ventures+1 more
The Cumin Club offers authentic regional Indian food products made with natural ingredients and freeze-dried to preserve flavor and nutrition.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech
Ragoth Bala(Co-founder)inHarish Visweswaran(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Serra Ventures
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
AmericademyBlack BuffaloRaise MarketplaceDelta BeverageFableGunslinger StudiosLeda HealthLegato AudioMiss GrassOROSRaiseSmearcase FroCoThisisstolen
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
1 IPOsFresh Factory B.COTC: FRFAF
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Rugiet · bestmedshub.com · Aug 18, 2026
Slumberkins · koin.com · Aug 14, 2026
Calm · funderintel.com · Jul 16, 2026
Nguyen Coffee Supply · startupintros.com · Jul 13, 2026
Jolie · morninghoney.com · Jul 5, 2026
Public Goods · trysignalbase.com · Mar 24, 2026
Fresh Factory B.C · morningstar.com · Mar 18, 2026
KiwiCo · entrepreneur.com · Sep 10, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Listen Ventures made?
- Listen Ventures has 39 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited, including 6 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Listen Ventures invest at?
- Listen Ventures invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Listen Ventures's typical check size?
- Listen Ventures typically writes checks of $1M – $10M.
- What sectors does Listen Ventures focus on?
- Listen Ventures focuses on Consumer, Enterprise Software, FoodTech, Media & Entertainment, SaaS.
- Where is Listen Ventures located?
- Listen Ventures is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Does Listen Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, Listen Ventures leads investment rounds.
- Who does Listen Ventures co-invest with?
- Listen Ventures most often shares deals with Cherubic Ventures, Connect Ventures, Felicis Ventures, among 27 tracked co-investors.
From the blog
visit blog ↗Listen has published research on three consumer behavior shifts: hemp-derived THC beverage occasions driven by diverse consumer motivations, the complex lived experiences of midlife women and investment opportunities in serving them, and the potential of food as preventive medicine against chronic disease. AI summary
Images
Co-investors · 25
Chingona Ventures is an early-stage venture firm backing founders building businesses in rapidly changing, often overlooked growth markets.
Muse Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm backing consumer technology companies in overlooked markets across the future of how people care, play, and live.
Accel is a venture capital firm that partners with exceptional teams, positioning itself as a first partner to founders globally.
New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a venture capital firm that invests in and provides long-term support to founders building new companies.
Brand Foundry Ventures is a consumer product-only seed investor that focuses exclusively on "things you can see, touch, feel, and interact with" rather than software, targeting sustainable $250M-$750M outcome brands instead of chasing billion-dollar unicorns. The firm was born from Andrew Mitchell's successful angel investments in Warby Parker, Birchbox, Harry's, and Peloton, and maintains an unusually hands-on approach through their "People/Product/Pipeline" framework that requires founders to think as deeply about supply chain and margins as they do about design and marketing.
Yes VC is an early-stage venture firm that invests in category-defining companies at the pre-seed and seed stages.
Peterson Partners is a private equity firm that backs entrepreneurs and management teams with tailored, growth-oriented capital and hands-on support over multi-year growth chapters.
Vice Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund that invests in companies operating in traditionally stigmatized or 'vice' industries.
Bessemer Venture Partners is a global venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs across enterprise, consumer, and healthcare sectors from early stages through growth.
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.
▶13 more co-investors
Uncork CapitalMayfield FundFundersClubFlybridge Capital PartnersRed Swan VenturesNextGen Venture PartnersRenegade PartnersMarch Capital PartnersScribble VenturesHyde Park Venture PartnersmParticle1/1 CapitalKeiretsu Capital
Firms observed investing alongside Listen Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Listen Ventures's recorded portfolio.
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