M25
Venture capitalChicago · Pre-Seed–Series A · 11 people tracked
Also known as M25 GROUP, LLC
Find your way into M25
2,953 people in our graph share verified history with the M25 team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
M25 focuses on pre-seed and seed stage technology startups headquartered in the Midwest, backing go-to-market founders. It applies a rigorous, data-driven scorecard that objectively scores team, market, product, traction, exit and growth, funding, and business plan to reduce risk while pursuing strong early-stage returns. The firm emphasizes its extensive networks and collaboration, helping syndicate deals, encouraging fair terms, and prioritizing relationships and founder-friendly advice. Its name draws on the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), reflecting a philosophy of responsible stewardship of both its own capital and capital entrusted to it by investors.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 15, 2026.
Team · 11 people
from the firm's website & public directories
Founder mafia
4 people who came through M25 went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 43 of 68 portfolio companiesSaaS ×22AI & Machine Learning ×13Enterprise Software ×10Consumer ×9Healthtech ×6B2B Marketplaces ×5Fintech ×5Future of Work ×5
HQs:United States×39
Who they back
founder profiles across 9 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×32 founders×43 founders×2
Where their founders studiedfrom 11 founders with education data
Colorado State University ×2The University of Chicago Booth School of Business ×2University of Minnesota Duluth ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 12 founders with field-of-study data
Business & Management ×3Computer Science ×2Economics ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 12 founders with career history
Opiniion ×3Ey ×2Rethinkfirst ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · showing 63 of 68
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 22025 · 52024 · 22023 · 62022 · 42021 · 42020 · 12019 · 12018 · 12017 · 127 dated
Authenticx is a conversation intelligence platform that uses AI trained on healthcare data to uncover system-critical insights from customer interactions, helping healthcare organizations identify barriers to better outcomes and improve operational efficiency.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechCarmel, US
Amy Brown(Founder & CEO)inMcKay Dunn(Director)inMelanie Bella(Director)
Board seatVictor Gutwein· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsAllos VenturesBeringeaElevate VenturesHigh AlphaMutual Capital PartnersMiami Angels+1 more
Cheddar is a usage-based, decoupled billing platform that tracks customer activity first and applies billing rules second, letting teams change pricing without rewriting billing code.
Developer ToolsFintechSaaSBloomington, US
Michael Philip Trotzke(Executive Officer, Director)Jeffery Hamilton(Director)Marc Guyer(Director)Mikel Berger(Director)
Board seatVictor Gutwein· per SEC Form D · $1M raise · filed Jul 2017
Co-investorsElevate Ventures
Moonnox is an AI-powered operating system for system implementation and delivery teams, integrating with existing tools to codify team methodology and institutional knowledge into a persistent "Collective IQ." It serves systems integrators and internal IT/delivery teams, from boutique firms to enterprises, in the professional services and consulting delivery software market.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSChicago, US
David Cotten(Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder)inRobert Ong(CEO)inGlen Stoffel(Chief Revenue Officer)in
Board seatVictor Gutwein· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsService Provider CapitalEarly Light VenturesHyde Park Angels
Rentgrata operates a resident referral and ambassador platform that lets prospective renters chat with current residents before leasing, while automating referral programs and surfacing AI-generated insights from those conversations.
AI & Machine LearningPropTechSaaSChicago, US
Ben Margolit(Co-founder)inSam McArtor(Co-founder & COO)inZach Sloan(Co-founder & Chief Sales Officer)in
Board seatVictor Gutwein· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsBread And Butter Ventures, LlcForefront VentureBigfoot Capital
FoodTechChicago, US
NICOLAS ANASTASIADES(Executive Officer, Director)JONATHAN ELRON(Director)ARIEL GAISLER(Director)
Co-investorsTechstarsHyde Park Venture Partners
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)in
Co-investorsChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Cleveland AvenueConnetic VenturesID VenturesLightbankLofty Ventures+5 more
Aerovy provides an operating platform for industrial companies that layers AI agents, automation, and custom SaaS applications on top of a governed data fabric connecting machines, ERPs, and dealer networks.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingSaaSWest Lafayette, US
Nick Gunady(CEO)in
BoardThomas Chen(Director)Sandy Schwartz(Director)in
Co-investorsKnoll VenturesMudita VentureQuorum Capital PartnersFlywheel Fund
AMOpportunities operates a clinical training platform that connects medical, MBBS, and nursing students with clinical placements at U.S. and international healthcare sites, offering visa and immigration support.
B2B MarketplacesEdTechHealthtechMarketplacesSaaSTravel & HospitalityChicago, US
Benjamin Bradley(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Kyle Swinsky(President, Co-Founder)inDaniel Flores(Executive Officer)inKevin Iverson(Executive Officer)inJohn Danaher(Executive Officer)inMamta Patel(Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsDreamit VenturesChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)HealthX VenturesLaerdal Million Lives FundOui CapitalPACE Healthcare Capital+1 more
APFusion is a B2B automotive marketplace that connects salvage yards with vendors to increase inventory availability and streamline parts ordering and management.
B2B MarketplacesSaaSUrbana, US
Alex Smith(Founder)inROBERT A SMITH(Director)
Co-investorsFJ LabsLeft Lane CapitalBedrock Capital
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Bizzy produces certified organic cold brew coffee sold in ready-to-drink form in select retail locations.
ConsumerFoodTech
Co-investorsBluestein VenturesBread And Butter Ventures, LlcConnetic VenturesSpiral Sun Ventures
Breeze provides technology-driven cargo insurance for freight forwarders, logistics service providers, and shippers, offering instant quotes, self-service coverage, and fast claims settlement.
FintechInsurTechLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Eyal Goldberg(Founder)in
Co-investorsNFXSymbolTrousdale VenturesFiat VenturesInvest NebraskaLink Ventures
Plural is an AI-powered platform that helps enterprises and organizations analyze legislation and anticipate policy impacts through bill summarization, topic detection, advanced search, and tracking across state and federal jurisdictions.
AI & Machine LearningGovTechLegalTechMounds View, US
Damola Ogundipe(Founder)in
Co-investorsBackstage CapitalDebut CapitalTechstarsHigher Ground LabsMenlo VenturesS3 Ventures
ConstructionClock provides time tracking software designed specifically for construction crews and job site teams.
Construction TechEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaS
Co-investorsStartup TNTTrillick Ventures
Elate is a strategy management platform that connects planning, execution, and reporting into a single system, with an AI layer that surfaces risks and automates updates.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSIndianapolis, US
William Brooks Busch(Executive Officer, Director)Abigail Parker(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsCapital Midwest FundConnetic VenturesElevate VenturesService Provider CapitalHyde Park AngelsSerra Ventures+1 more
Entravia offers workflow software for the PEO (Professional Employer Organization) industry, letting PEOs and brokers collect employer and census data through one secure intake, normalize unstructured documents into quote-ready submissions, and distribute them to multiple providers in parallel.
AI & Machine LearningHR TechSaaSEdina, US
Kasey Devine(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsGROOVE CAPITALService Provider CapitalMatchstick Ventures
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Joshin provides a workplace support platform offering personalized coaching, trained Navigators, and company-wide education to help employers support employees through accommodations, diagnosis support, caregiving, and disability/neurodivergence needs.
Future of WorkHR TechWellness & FitnessNorth Oaks, US
Melissa Danielsen(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inMelanie Fountaine(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inMatthew Jones(Director)Alexander Hansen(Executive Officer)
BoardRobert Sarrazin(Director)in
Co-investorsAIFCake VenturesClaritas CapitalService Provider Capital
Kin is a home insurance provider that offers both self-service and agent-assisted policy purchase and management for homeowners.
ConsumerFintechInsurTechChicago, US
Sean Harper(Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer)inLucas Ward(Executive Officer and Director)inSebastian VillarrealinBret Bret HarperinJason Heidkampin
BoardEric Carlborg(Director)in
Co-investors500 GlobalACTIVATE CAPITAL PARTNERSAlpha EdisonAugust CapitalAvanta VenturesBetter Tomorrow Ventures+21 more
Climate TechChanhassen, US
Co-investorsTechstarsMatchstick VenturesROUTER VENTURES
Oath is building a verification layer for financial infrastructure, aimed at finance teams responsible for confirming and validating numbers.
Data & InfrastructureFintechSaaS
Lucas Ward(Founder)in
Opscompass is a software asset intelligence platform that provides real-time visibility into cloud, on-prem, and database environments, tracking configuration drift, security and compliance checks, and software licensing costs.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaSOmaha, US
John Grange(Director)inDavid Kerber(Executive Officer)Lee H. Hamann(Director)Manuel C. Quevedo(Executive Officer, Director)Scott Griffith(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsDundee Venture CapitalElsewhere PartnersInvest NebraskaNelnet
Pavewise builds construction management software for asphalt paving operations, centralizing jobsite data capture, automated reporting, and compliance documentation to reduce delays and rework.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechSaaSDover, US
Bryce Wuori(Executive Officer)Brittany Wuori(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsConnetic VenturesExit Quotient VenturesGreen Egg VenturesService Provider CapitalC2 VenturesFar Out Ventures
Pitchly offers a data enablement platform with data pipeline, data workspace, and data productivity tools that automate data workflows to save time and improve performance for business teams.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaSDes Moines, US
Ryan Gerhardy(Co-founder & CEO)inMichael Brook(Co-founder & CPO)in
BoardMatthew Paulson(Director)inWendy Batchelder(Director)
Co-investorsGreat North VenturesHomegrown CapitalInnoventures IowaISA VenturesNext Level VenturesCabra VC
Playbite is a mobile app offering a library of casual, simple games that anyone can play for free, monetized through ads.
ConsumerGamingMedia & EntertainmentSt. Louis, US
Stuart Feldt(Founder)Diego Kafiein
Co-investors500 Global
Prediction Guard provides a self-hosted control plane that lets enterprises manage, govern, and deploy AI systems, agents, models, and MCP tools within their own security boundary.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareLafayette, US
Daniel Whitenack(CEO)inAdam Cuzzort(Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsK Street CapitalService Provider CapitalFlywheel Fund
PrintWithMe operates self-serve, wireless printer stations that let users print, copy, scan, and fax documents via web, email, or an iOS app.
HardwarePropTechSaaSChicago, US
Jonathan Treble(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardJeffrey B. Maters(Director)inRyan Jeffrey(Director)
Co-investorsNewlin VenturesNetwork VenturesNew Stack Ventures
Rapchat is a mobile-first music creation platform where artists record songs, discover beats, collaborate with other creators, and share music.
ConsumerCreator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSocial
Seth MillerinJJ Oslundin
Co-investors500 GlobalLondon Venture PartnersRainfall VenturesRev1 VenturesSony Music EntertainmentTechNexus Venture Collaborative
Realync is a video platform for multifamily property teams to create virtual apartment tours, personalized follow-up videos, and resident communications.
Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentPropTechSaaSVernon Hills, US
Ani Rangarajan(Co-Founder)inMatt Weirich(Co-Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsCapital Midwest FundCharmides CapitalElevate VenturesSusquehanna Growth EquityMeridian Street Capital
Rebundle sells hand-made hair bundles produced by artisans in East Africa, with pricing structured by bundle quantity and head coverage needs.
Circular EconomyConsumerDirect to ConsumerNew Materials
Co-investorsChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Evergreen Climate InnovationsPortfoliaRareBreed VenturesSKU'D Ventures
Redi Health builds patient access and affordability programs that connect pharmaceutical manufacturers to patients through targeted approaches designed to increase medication adoption and sustained use.
Digital HealthHealthtechSaaS
Luke Buchanan(Founder)inJaimin Gandhi(Founder)in
Co-investorsMutual Capital PartnersBlue Heron CapitalRefinery VentureRev1 Ventures
Skyepack works with universities and K-12 institutions to develop affordable course materials and microcredential programs, and offers instructional design and content delivery services for corporate customer education.
EdTechWest Lafayette, US
J. Eric Davis(Manager)inAndy Clark(Manager)inBrady Kalb(CEO and Manager)David Castor(Manager)
Co-investorsElevate Ventures
Stagetime is an online platform for the performing arts where artists such as opera singers and musicians build professional profiles with headshots, video, credits, and training.
HR TechMarketplacesSaaSBloomington, US
Jennie Moser(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardScott Eisen(Director)
Co-investorsConnetic VenturesElevate VenturesIU VenturesFLYWHEELFlywheel FundHyde Park Angels
Stagetime is a platform for the performing arts where arts professionals build profiles with headshots, video, credits, and training, and where companies post applications and review candidate pools.
HR TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaS
Jennie Moser(Founder)in
Co-investorsChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)IU VenturesService Provider CapitalElevate VenturesFlywheel FundHyde Park Angels
SteadyMD operates a telehealth platform that connects clinicians with remote care opportunities across the United States, serving over 200,000 patients while providing flexible work arrangements and support services for healthcare providers.
Digital HealthFuture of WorkHealthtechSt. Louis, US
Yarone Goren(Co-Founder & COO)inGuy Friedman(Co-Founder & CEO)in
BoardChris Cooper(Director)Deena Shakir(Director)in
Co-investorsAcrew CapitalCerity Partners VenturesCrosscut VenturesDraper AssociatesHyde Park Venture PartnersLux Capital+3 more
Swept AI provides runtime supervision, policy enforcement, and monitoring for AI assistants, agentic workflows, and customer-facing AI features, giving security teams real-time visibility and control over AI behavior.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareFuture of Work
Co-investorsID VenturesService Provider CapitalSpark Capital
Top Tier Lessons connects college athletes with families to provide sports instruction, handling scheduling, payments, and safety for both coaches and parents.
B2B MarketplacesConsumerMarketplacesSports TechChicago, US
Cara Bognar(Founder)in
Co-investorsIllinois VenturesMu Ventures
Trava is an AI-powered compliance platform that audits customs entries and product classifications for US importers to identify overpaid duties, recover refunds, and ensure compliance.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSan Francisco, US
Pushkar Lanka(Founder)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorBlockchange VenturesGrit VenturesTDF Ventures
Upsie offers consumer protection plans for devices, positioned as an alternative to plans sold by retailers and manufacturers, with lower prices, transparent coverage terms, and 24/7 claims service.
ConsumerFintechInsurTechBurnsville, US
Clarence Bethea(Founder & Executive Chairman)inWill(CEO)Katie(VP of Customer Experience)Chad(VP Growth Marketing)Jame(VP of Engineering)Rob(VP of Repair Operations)
Co-investorsBread And Butter Ventures, LlcMatchstick VenturesTechstarsBackstage CapitalTrue Ventures
Hardware privacy company; member testimonial from founder Richard Stokes.
Chicago, US
RICHARD STOKES(Executive Officer, Director)in
Co-investorsmHUBConnetic VenturesFounder EquityNew Stack VenturesRefinery Venture
Zohr provides mobile tire replacement and repair services that come directly to customers at their location.
Advanced ManufacturingB2B MarketplacesConsumerMobility & TransportationKansas City, US
Co-investorsExpansion Venture CapitalFirebrand VenturesKCRise FundTechstarsTrucks VC
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Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
AbleteamsAbreAugmented reality (AR) therapeutic toolAutomatic UI testingdigital credentialsHinckley MedicalHippo ManagerHumanpredictionsInactiveItiliti Healthlocal government dataMission Control GgPluralRentalutionsrMark BioThe AI copilot for Electrical ContractorsUnannouncedUnannounced HealthcareVigil SoftwareWhistleYottled
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 · 2
2 acquisitions · showing 1Mission Control Ggacq. by LeagueSpot
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Pitchly · americanentrepreneurship.com · Sep 1, 2026
AMOpportunities · techcabal.com · Aug 17, 2026
Rebundle · beautymatter.com · Aug 11, 2026
Joshin · finance.biggo.com · Aug 4, 2026
Entravia · fortune.com · Jul 29, 2026
Trava · riverside.ac · Jul 6, 2026
Breeze · hub.gigastar.io · Jun 16, 2026
Aerovy · muditavp.com · May 26, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has M25 made?
- M25 has 68 tracked investments, 2 of which have exited, including 9 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does M25 invest at?
- M25 invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is M25's typical check size?
- M25 typically writes checks of $500K – $3M.
- What sectors does M25 focus on?
- M25 focuses on Consumer, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Healthtech, InsurTech, Logistics & Supply Chain, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is M25 located?
- M25 is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Does M25 lead rounds?
- Yes, M25 leads investment rounds.
- Who does M25 co-invest with?
- M25 most often shares deals with Bread And Butter Ventures, Llc, Connetic Ventures, Service Provider Capital, among 57 tracked co-investors.
From the blog
visit blog ↗M25 recently invested in three AI-native platforms addressing fragmented, manual workflows: Immigify for legal immigration compliance, Oath for financial audit verification, and Stock for supply chain inventory management. AI summary
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamMidwest Startup City Rankings: Victor Gutwein, Founder and Managing Partner, M25
5 Lakes Institute · Victor Gutwein
#7 - Abhinaya Konduru (Associate @ M25) Tech Ecosystem - Working on a small team
ConfluenceVC: The VC Operating Playbook · Abhinaya Konduru
Abhinaya Konduru @ M25 on Life as a Junior VC, Chicago Collaboration, and Early-Stage Analysis
Chicago Capital Podcast · Abhinaya Konduru
Investor Series - Mike Asem, VC, M25 - RBL1 Live
Rebel One · Mike Asem
Victor Gutwein, Managing Director, M25
Victor Gutwein · vimeo.com
Investor Series - Mike Asem, VC, M25 - RBL1 Live | Investor Series - Mike Asem, VC, M25 - RBL1 Live Rebel One - RBL1.com - Accelerating Impact Founders & Investors https://www.rbl1.com/invest Link:... | By RBL1 - Rebel One
Mike Asem · facebook.com
Images
Co-investors · 22
Hyde Park Venture Partners (HPVP) is an early-stage venture fund investing in AI, software, and tech-enabled services companies connected to the Midwest, Toronto, or the Southeast.
Invest Nebraska is a Nebraska-based investor that backs early-stage companies showing early signs of product-market fit, typically writing a first check averaging $250k across all industries.
True Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2005 that focuses on early-stage technology companies, with operations based in Silicon Valley.
Left Lane Capital is an investment firm focused on hyper-growth consumer and technology businesses that have enduring customer relationships, applying a data-driven, specialized approach to help companies scale.
Cultivation Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies with the potential to transform how people live and work, backing them from Series Seed through Series B.
Cambrian is an early-stage fintech investment firm run by a solo GP, pairing capital with a community network of founders, investors, and operators to support fintech entrepreneurs.
C2 Ventures invests in early-stage companies and provides founders with content, networking opportunities, and operational support. The firm operates as an investment platform connecting entrepreneurs with capital.
Geodesic Capital is a venture firm that invests in multi-stage technology companies and helps them expand into Asian markets, starting with Japan, through strategic guidance and market access.
Next Level Ventures is an Iowa-based investment firm managing over $400 million across more than 45 portfolio companies, operating two main strategies: the Curql Funds connecting fintech companies with credit unions, and the Iowa Funds investing in technologies across various industries.
Blue Heron Capital is an early-stage growth equity firm based in Richmond, Virginia, with an additional presence in Washington, D.C. It funds companies in healthcare and enterprise technology, pairing its capital with operational support delivered through its network of operating advisors, the OA Collaborative.
Evergreen Climate Innovations supports climate tech startups with early-stage funding and help accessing demos, customers, and investors, having built a portfolio focused on solutions to the climate crisis.
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.
▶10 more co-investors
Inovia CapitalPareto HoldingsTribe Capital FirstlookCowboy VenturesBedrockGE VenturesPreface VenturesEquity Allianceat.inc/Village Capital
Firms observed investing alongside M25, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with M25's recorded portfolio.
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