Fundraising Fox
Next Level Ventures
Venture capitalDes Moines · Seed–Growth · 15 people tracked
Also known as Next Level Capital · NEXT LEVEL VENTURES, LLC
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Investment thesis
Next Level Ventures manages strategic investment funds aimed at fueling company growth. Through the Curql Fund it backs fintech serving credit unions and financial institutions, helping them compete with larger banks via cutting-edge financial technology. Through the Iowa Funds it invests in innovative early-stage and growth-stage technology startups across Midwest industries such as agriculture, biosciences, insurance, and manufacturing. The firm partners with entrepreneurs to accelerate product development, scale operations, and drive growth, providing capital, strategic guidance, and long-term partnership. It targets high-potential opportunities across multiple sectors and stages of development and expansion.
Source: firm website, verified Oct 13, 2026.
Team · 15 people
from the firm's website & public directories
Dave Tucker is the former Senior Vice-President of Technology at Workiva, where he helped scale the company from a pre-revenue startup to a public company with over $350M in revenue and a 350-person development team. With 30+ years in technology at firms like Hewlett-Packard, Siemens, and Engineering Animation, he serves on the Technology Association of Iowa board and mentors Iowa entrepreneurs.
Elizabeth Caven is an entrepreneur who has founded and scaled a company through acquisition, and previously invested in early-stage startups via the gener8tor accelerator, including insurtech ventures with Allianz Life and Securian Financial. She holds a BA from Cedarville University and an MBA from IE University in Madrid, and has served on the boards of several large credit unions.
Michael Perrin joined Next Level Ventures in 2019 and has over 10 years of experience in private equity, banking, corporate finance/M&A, and technology project management. He previously worked at Great Western Bank as a commercial banker and at Walmart in corporate finance, M&A, and merchandising technology, and holds a BS from Cornell and an MBA from Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business.
Roger Scholten is a general counsel and business development executive with over 30 years of experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance and strategic planning. Before joining Next Level Ventures, he was SVP and General Counsel at Champion Home Builders and previously held a similar corporate development and legal role at Maytag Corporation.
Has over 10 years investing in and advising companies at the intersection of financial services and technology. He joined the firm from FINTOP, where he invested in B2B fintech companies on behalf of 90+ regional and community institutions.
Has over 25 years in private equity fund administration, having built the administrative infrastructure for Churchill Capital and Northstar Capital across five funds. She also serves as Managing Partner of a capital management entity.
Has over five years in investment banking, equities research, and project finance. He previously managed the M&A advisory team in Sydney, Australia for Grant Thornton, serving middle-market clients.
A fixture in the Des Moines startup community with a background co-founding and leading a technology firm. He co-founded StartupCity Des Moines, the Startup Iowa initiative, and the Plains Angels investment network.
An award-winning SaaS leader with over 25 years in the human capital management industry and a track record of driving strong company growth. He serves as CEO and Founder of NPS Growth LLC.
Founder and Managing Partner of Next Level Ventures, overseeing five funds with over $500M in assets and strong ties to credit unions. Previously a senior executive at Maytag Corporation and founder of Appliancezone; holds a B.A. from Luther College and an M.B.A. from Drake University.
Jacob Gaspar joined Next Level Ventures in 2024, having previously worked as a Financial Analyst at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines. He holds a BSBA in Finance and Data Analytics from Drake University.
Liz Keehner has over seven years of experience across startup operations, venture capital and economic development. She joined Next Level Ventures in 2021 from Ag Ventures Alliance, having previously worked at VentureNet Iowa, 1839 Ventures and MicroVentures, and holds a BA in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa.
Martin Walker brings over 30 years of experience across technology, innovation, marketing, product, and sales. He joined Next Level Ventures in 2021 after serving as VP of Digital Experience & Innovation at Sound Credit Union, and previously worked with the Seattle Sonics & Storm and Tully's Coffee. He holds an MBA and a BS in Marketing Management.
Wyatt Powers joined Next Level Ventures in 2020 after a career in public accounting working with businesses of varying sizes. Originally from Boone, Iowa, he holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Accounting from Iowa State University.
Founder mafia
2 people who came through Next Level Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 55 of 68 portfolio companiesFintech ×22SaaS ×22AI & Machine Learning ×18Enterprise Software ×17Healthtech ×12AgTech ×8Biotech ×7Data & Infrastructure ×6
HQs:United States×50
Who they back
founder profiles across 38 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×172 founders×163 founders×44+ founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 33 founders with education data
Iowa State University ×4Georgia Institute of Technology ×3University of Iowa ×3Penn State University ×2The George Washington University ×2Xavier High School ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 35 founders with field-of-study data
Business & Management ×11Computer Science ×9Engineering ×6Economics ×3Finance & Accounting ×3Life Sciences ×3Design & Architecture ×2Humanities ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 39 founders with career history
Grubhub ×2Limelight Networks ×2Shift Interactive, LLC ×2Zoomer ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
3 founders hold a PhD · 6 hold an MBA (of 34 with degree data)
Investments · 68 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 12024 · 22022 · 32021 · 22020 · 22019 · 12016 · 22015 · 114 dated
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)
Board seatScott Hoekman· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsGreat North VenturesHomegrown CapitalInnoventures IowaISA VenturesM25Cabra VC
Ag Startup Engine is an investment and support organization that connects early-stage agricultural startups with investors and industry partners.
AgTechIowa, US
Joel Harris(Executive Director)inColin Hurd(Co-Director)inKevin Kimle(Co-Director)in
Co-investorsEcho River Capital
AKUVO provides an AI-powered platform for banks, credit unions, and fintechs to manage credit risk and collections processes.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSMalvern, US
Steven Castagna(Executive Officer, Director)Mark Price(Executive Officer, Director)inGeorge A. Mossman III(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJames Hunsanger(Director)Charles Chung(Director)Guy Messick(Director)
Co-investorsCurql Collective, LLCVista Equity Partners
Allure Security provides brand protection against digital impersonation, using AI to monitor URLs, social profiles, apps, and deepfakes for phishing and spoofing threats.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecuritySaaSWellesley, US
Salvatore Stolfo(Executive Officer, Director)inMark Jaffe(Executive Officer, Director)inDavid J. Murphy, III(Director)
BoardRichard Grinnell(Director)in
Co-investorsCurql Collective, LLCGlasswing VenturesGutbrain VenturesRiverside Acceleration CapitalARC VENTURESSigma Prime Ventures, Llc
Regional economic development alliance promoting business growth across four counties in Central Iowa.
Ames, US
Co-investorsOpes Impact Fund
Bankjoy is a digital banking platform that enables community banks and credit unions to deliver digital experiences comparable to large banks.
FintechTroy, US
Mike Duncan(CEO)inMichael Duncan(Founder)Khoi Ho(Vice President, People)Weiwei Duncan(Project Manager)Joe Harte(Principal Recruiter)Sydney Matheny(Recruiter)
Co-investorsBessemer Venture PartnersCurql Collective, LLCOpen Opportunity FundY CombinatorCheckALTSixThirty 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)inAlison Alvarez(Founder)inTony Cebzanovin
BoardDoug Neal(Director)inMichael Perrin(Director)inEthan Linkner(Director)in
Co-investors412 Venture FundAllos VenturesBTECH CONSORTIUMChloe CapitalCurql Collective, LLCeLab Ventures+6 more
Bowery Valuation is a commercial real estate appraisal and valuation company operating across multiple U.S. locations in California, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
PropTechLos Angeles, US
John Meadows(Founder)inNoah Isaacs(Founder)inCesar Devers(Founder)
Co-investorsCamber CreekCurql Collective, LLCExpansion Venture CapitalFikaMetaPropMetaProp Ventures+2 more
Caribou offers car loan refinancing services by connecting drivers with lenders and managing the refinancing process, including paperwork and administrative steps.
FintechDenver, US
Simon Goodall(CEO)in
Co-investorsAccompliceCurql Collective, LLCFlucas VenturesGaingelsHarmonic Growth PartnersInnovius Capital+7 more
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Certintell delivers remote clinical support for chronic and behavioral health conditions to community pharmacies and health centers through telehealth, patient outreach, care coordination, and clinician collaboration.
Digital HealthHealthtechSaaSWindsor Heights, US
Benjamin Lefever(Executive Officer, Director)inMoshe Klestizick(Executive Officer)
BoardBarry Adams(Director)inMichael Morrison(Director)Thomas T. Hamilton(Director)Frederick Merritt(Director)
Co-investorsPrairie Crest Capital
Clutch provides origination solutions for credit unions, enabling member-centric digital experiences across deposits, loans, and business accounts.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
Nicky Hinrichsen(Founder & CEO)Christopher Coleman(Founder)in
Co-investorsAlkeon InnovationAndreessen HorowitzCurql Collective, LLCFloating PointITERATIVERevTech Ventures+10 more
Coviance is a cloud lending platform that automates home equity and HELOC origination for community lenders.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSWest Des Moines, US
Omar Jordan(President)inBenjamin Rempe(Cheif Operating Officer)in
BoardNick Evens(Director)Samantha Paxon(Director)Jenny Vipperman(Director)Doug Glagola(Director)
Credit Mountain provides a white-labeled platform that converts a credit union's loan declines and adverse action notices into a "path back to approval," giving declined members plain-English explanations, a credit-improvement roadmap, and branded credit monitoring, then alerting the credit union when members are ready to reapply.
FintechSaaS
Co-investors412 Venture FundAUTHENTIC VENTURESCurql Collective, LLCEarly Light VenturesJHH vcRiptide Ventures+4 more
DefenseStorm provides a cloud-based compliance and cyber risk management platform specifically designed for financial services institutions.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareFintechAtlanta, US
Edgardo Nazario(Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder)inHarold Brewer(Board Advisor & Co-Founder)Jeff Lunsford(Chairman of the Board & Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsGeorgianTTV CapitalBTECH CONSORTIUMCurql Collective, LLCFINTOP Capital
Distynct offers the Barn Alarm, a device that gives farmers remote visibility of their farm operations without installing new wires or probes.
AgTechHardwareIoTAmes, US
BJ Brugman(Founder & CEO)inBradly J Brugman(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJustin Van Wert(Director)Ben Williamson(Director)
Co-investorsAg Ventures AllianceInnoventures IowaISA Ventures
Dryland Genetics is a plant breeding company developing productive, resilient crop varieties, with expertise in the North American corn market and broader crop genetics.
AgTechBiotechClimate TechFoodTechAmes, US
Patrick S. Schnable(Co-founder, CEO & Board Member)James Schnable(Co-founder, CTO & Board Member)inCraig Anderson(COO)inRachel Burds(CFO)ROGER UNDERWOOD(Director)TOM HOEGEMEYER(Director)
Dwolla provides a modern API platform that enables businesses to connect to US payment networks and facilitate fast bank transfers.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSDes Moines, US
Ben Milne(Founder)in
BoardCraig Ibsen(Director)inJonathon Triest(Director)inAlbert Wenger(Director)inJeff Russell(Director)Jospeh D Geneser(Director)
Co-investorsAndreessen HorowitzFirebrand VenturesHigh AlphaUnion Square Ventures (USV)FoundryLudlow Ventures
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Equipifi provides flexible payment infrastructure that enables banks and credit unions to offer real-time purchasing power to their customers under their own brand.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSScottsdale, US
Bryce Deeney(Founder)inBill Simmons, MBA(Founder)inColleen Shannon(Executive Officer)in
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BoardGregg Scoresby(Director)inMary Keegan(Director)Jeff Liesendahl(Director)
Co-investorsBaleon CapitalCurql Collective, LLCLeft Lane CapitalNew Stack VenturesPHX VenturesRevolution+2 more
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Facteus operates a consumer transaction data platform that analyzes billions of daily U.S. purchase transactions to provide insights for Fortune 500 brands, agencies, hedge funds, and consultancies.
AdTechAI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintech
Chris Marsh(Chief Executive Officer)inJohn Dettra(Chief Financial Officer)inChad Whitney(Chief Revenue Officer)inLorn Davis(Chief Product Officer)inDave Friesen(Chief Innovation & Intelligence Officer)in
Co-investorsCurql Collective, LLCID8 InvestmentsTribeca Early Stage Partners
Des Moines, US
Steven Brockshus(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardAmanda Donohue-Hansen(Director)in
Co-investorsCultivian Sandbox Ventures
Genvax Technologies develops mRNA and nanoparticle-based vaccines for livestock, focusing on custom, herd-specific formulations that aim to improve speed and precision compared to conventional vaccine platforms.
AgTechBiotechHealthtechAmes, US
Joel Harris(Co-founder)inDr. Hank Harris(Co-founder)inDL Hank Harris(Director)Scott Holmstrom(Director)
Co-investorsAg Ventures AllianceInnoventures Iowa
Greenlight offers a debit card and mobile app for children that enables parents to set spending limits, automate chores and allowance management, and monitor transactions in real-time.
ConsumerFintechAtlanta, US
Johnson Cook(Founder)inTim Sheehan(Founder)in
BoardAlex Baker(Director)Gardiner Garrard(Director)inChris Olsen(Director)inNeil Underwood(Director)in
Co-investorsAlly VenturesAndreessen HorowitzBond Capital ManagementCanapi VenturesCurql Collective, LLCDrive Capital+20 more
Gross-Wen Technologies (GWT) develops the patented RAB algae-based system to treat municipal and industrial wastewater, recovering nutrients from the water and recycling the nutrient-rich algae into slow-release fertilizer.
AgTechBiotechCircular EconomyCleantechClimate TechSlater, US
Dr. Martin Gross(Founder and CEO)Dr. Zhiyou Wen(Co-founder)David Furbush(Executive Officer, Director)Max Gangestad(Chief Operating Officer)inKen Rubin(President)inPaul Juffer(Chief Financial Officer)in
Co-investorsAiiM PartnersISA VenturesAg Startup Engine Seed
Mastery is an adaptive learning platform that prepares students for professional licensing exams such as the NCLEX and dental board exams through expertly-written questions and personalized study paths.
EdTechHealthtechCoralville, US
Alec Whitters(Executive Officer, Director)inAdam Keune(Chief Marketing Officer)inBertaud Ngomsi(Chief Product Officer)inJeff Benjamin(Director)Benjamin O'Connor(Executive Officer, Director)Richard Ferguson(Director)
Co-investorsISA Ventures
Hummingbirds is a creator platform that connects food and beverage brands with creators across 60+ cities for retail campaigns in grocery stores.
Creator EconomyMarketing TechMarketplacesRetail TechSaaSDes Moines, US
Emily Steele(Co-Founder & CEO)inCharise Flynn(Co-Founder & COO)in
Co-investorsFJ LabsGround Game VenturesInnoventures IowaISA VenturesM25
Brings connected, intelligent solutions to the built environment to drive building automation and energy efficiency
Johnston, US
Dwight Stewart(Chief Technology Officer)Steven L'Heureux(Chief Executive Officer)
BoardScott Hoekman(Director)inSean McMurray(Director)Jim Fogt(Director)Dustin Thomas(Director)
Co-investorsEvergreen Climate InnovationsAMD VenturesGeneral CatalystNVIDIATemasekY Combinator
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Illuma is a FinTech company providing AI-powered voice security and authentication solutions for financial institutions.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityFintechPlano, US
Milind Borkar(Founder)in
Co-investorsAllied Venture PartnersCurql Collective, LLCForefront VentureCapital FactoryLiveOak Ventures
iotaMotion develops robotic systems for cochlear implant surgery, assisting otolaryngologists in achieving precision beyond human capability.
HealthtechMedical DevicesRoboticsSt. Paul, US
Marlan Hansen, MD(Executive Officer, Director)Marlan Hansen(Executive Officer, Director)Christopher Kaufmann(Executive Officer, Director)Marlan Hansen, MD, FACS(Co-founder & Chief Medical Officer)Michael Lobinsky(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardWayne Wallace(Director)
Co-investorsISA VenturesMutual Capital Partners
LoanStreet operates an online platform for loan trading, syndication, and portfolio management serving credit unions, banks, and direct lenders.
B2B MarketplacesEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSNew York, US
Christopher Wu(Executive Officer, Director)Thaddeus Pitney(Executive Officer)Ian Lampl
Co-investorsArbor VenturesCurql Collective, LLCPortage VenturesRosecliff VenturesThird PrimeArboretum Ventures
Mach develops an integrated autonomy hardware and software platform for off-road machinery, including edge computing, radar sensors, and fleet management tools designed for agriculture, defense, mining, and construction equipment manufacturers.
AgTechHardwareRobotics
Co-investorsAg Ventures AllianceThe Venture Collective
MakuSafe develops wearable technology aimed at improving workplace safety and productivity.
Advanced ManufacturingHardwareIoTSaaSWest Des Moines, US
Gabriel Glynn(Executive Officer, Director)inTodd Sutphen(Executive Officer)inMark Frederick(Executive Officer)inTom West(Executive Officer)in
BoardHank Norem(Director)Todd Sommerfeld(Director)
Co-investorsInnoventures IowaNFI Ventures, LLC
Maxwell provides software solutions for mortgage lenders, including point-of-sale, loan fulfillment, and due diligence tools designed for small to midsize community lenders.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechPropTechSaaSDenver, US
Evan Einhorn(President & Founder)John Paasonen(Co-founder & CEO)inRutul Dave(Co-Founder / CTO)in
Co-investorsAssurant VenturesCohen CircleCurql Collective, LLCMatchstick VenturesPrudenceTechstars+5 more
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Developer of oral vaccines for livestock with cost-effective delivery.
BiotechSt. Joseph, US
Joel Harris(Director)Kevin Fields(Director)Jennifer Filbey(Executive Officer, Director)John Howard(Director)
Co-investorsISA VenturesWestern Technology InvestmentFall Line Capital
MSUITE provides software for MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) contractors to standardize and automate fabrication workflows across BIM design, shop production, and field installation.
Construction TechSaaSCedar Rapids, US
BRITTON LANGDON(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardDAVE BROWN(Director)KEN BROWN(Director)
Neural Payments provides a payments engine platform that enables financial institutions to offer peer-to-peer and SMB payment solutions with real-time fraud detection and integration across major payment networks.
AI & Machine LearningFintechSaaSMason, US
Mick Oppy(Founder & CEO)in
BoardIsaac Saldana(Director)Ryan Gorney(Director)Martin Walker(Director)inAlice Ann Schwartz(Director)
Co-investorsCommerce VenturesCurql Collective, LLCLEAP Global PartnersPS27 VenturesCatalystMendon Venture Partners+1 more
Miami Beach, US
Alexander Lopatine(Founder)Harry J Flood(Executive Officer, Director)David J Wright(LLC Manager)Scott W Killoh(Executive Officer, Director)Scott Killoh(Founder)
BoardCian Cotter(Director)in
Co-investorsCastle Creek LaunchpadCurql Collective, LLCInsight PartnersLaunchpad CapitalMendon Venture PartnersThe Banc Funds Company
OpenLoop provides telehealth platform and services that deliver virtual care to patients in their homes.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechSaaSIowa City, US
Jon Lensing(Cofounder)inChristian Williams(Cofounder)in
Co-investorsBIP VenturesHDS CapitalISA VenturesManchesterStory Group, LLCNava VenturesPrimetime Partners+4 more
Pathware provides real-time biopsy quality assessment technology for pathologists to determine sample adequacy on-site, reducing repeat procedures and unnecessary surgeries.
AI & Machine LearningHealthtechMedical Devices
Co-investorsCANTILEVER INVESTORSInnoventures IowaSolas BioVenturesLevel Eight Ventures
PatientFi offers monthly payment and financing plans that let patients pay for elective medical and aesthetic procedures over time, with quick applications and instant approvals.
Digital HealthFintechHealthtechIrvine, US
Todd Watts(Executive Officer, Director)inJoe Ranieri(Executive Officer)Jon Roberts(Executive Officer)inDerrick Hoag(Executive Officer)in
BoardH. Bradley Sloan(Director)inTom Cestare(Director)in
Co-investorsCurql Collective, LLCPatriot Financial PartnersQuesta Capital
Cloud-native digital payments capabilities.
Glastonbury, US
Francis P. Duggan(Executive Officer, Director)Richard Pelikan(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Paul Franko(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)in
BoardNeil L. Underwood(Director)James S. Mahan(Director)James Dreibelbis(Director)
Co-investorsCurql Collective, LLCTTV CapitalWebster Bank
PortX builds integration infrastructure for financial institutions, delivered as an Integration-Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) that connects banking cores, open banking APIs, and a marketplace of integrated fintechs.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityData & InfrastructureFintechSaaS
Co-investorsBankTech VenturesBTECH CONSORTIUMCurql Collective, LLCFUSEPatamar Capital
Posh provides secure, explainable AI solutions for IT teams at financial institutions through voice, chat, and knowledge platforms governed by a single control interface.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
Co-investorsCanapi VenturesCurql Collective, LLCFINTOP CapitalHuman CapitalREMUS CapitalTruStage Ventures+1 more
Provision IAM is a cloud-based identity and access management platform designed specifically for community banks and credit unions to automate user access provisioning, policy enforcement, and compliance tracking.
CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareFintech
Jonathan Hutcherson(Founder)in
Co-investorsCurql Collective, LLC
Pulsate is a digital engagement platform that helps community financial institutions grow account holder product adoption and usage.
Co-investorsCurql Collective, LLCDelta PartnersTruStage Ventures
RenoFi is a fintech platform that enables credit unions to offer home equity loans and HELOCs based on after-renovation property values to homeowners financing renovation and construction projects.
FintechPropTechPhiladelphia, US
Justin Goldman(Founder)inRobert Shedd(Founder)inLee Miller(Founder)in
BoardSamanttabhiram Das(Director)Brendan Dickinson(Director)in
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesCanaan PartnersComcast VenturesCurql Collective, LLCFirst Round CapitalGaingels+6 more
Roboflow provides tools for developers to build and deploy computer vision applications, including image annotation, model benchmarking, and dataset management.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US
Joseph Nelson(Founder)inBrad Dwyer(Founder)inPaul Guerrie(Machine Learning Engineer)Danny Patrick(Recruiter)Gil Abramov(SD Lead)Daniel Bender(Sales Development Lead)
Co-investorsavraCapital B Private HoldingsCraft VenturesEarl Grey CapitalFrontline VenturesGV (Google Ventures)+20 more
Silvur (Retirement Simplified) offers a retirement financial wellness platform for credit unions and financial institutions, providing tools such as a Retirement Score along with education on Social Security, Medicare, and retirement savings accounts.
FintechSaaSWellness & FitnessClaymont, US
Rhian Horgan(Founder)in
BoardSean Park(Director)James Walker(Director)Sara Dolan(Director)Dave Tucker(Director)
Co-investorsAnthemis VentureClocktower VenturesCurql Collective, LLCPoint72 Ventures
TapOnIt is a text marketing platform that enables businesses to create and send SMS and MMS campaigns with features like multi-step flows, content hubs, and audience segmentation.
E-commerceEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaSQuad Cities, US
Katie Castillo-Wilson(Founder)inSara Castillo(Founder)in
Co-investorsInnoventures Iowa
Tractor Zoom operates equipment marketplace and valuation platforms (Tractor Zoom Pro and Anvil Pro) that provide real-time price data, market intelligence, and sales workflow tools for agricultural and heavy equipment.
AgTechData & InfrastructureMarketplacesWest Des Moines, US
Kyle McMahon(Founder / CEO)inZac Sandvig(Chief Financial Officer)inMike Meyerring(Chief Revenue Officer)in
BoardKen Woody(Director)inDouglas Hohner(Director)Tim McMahon(Director)
Co-investorsAg Ventures AllianceInnova Memphis, Inc.ISA VenturesAg Startup Engine SeedBienville CapitalBuilders VC+2 more
Tule Technologies developed irrigation management hardware and software that measured actual evapotranspiration in farm fields to recommend irrigation timing and amounts.
Advanced ManufacturingAgTechAI & Machine LearningDavis, US
Tom Shapland(CEO)inJeff LaBarge(CTO)inGregory Poulin(Growth)in
Co-investorsBloomberg BetaY CombinatorKhosla Ventures
Verge Labs builds AI models trained on multimodal human patient data to predict drug targets and patient populations for clinical development, primarily in neuroscience and central nervous system (CNS) disease.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechDigital HealthHealthtechSan Francisco, US
Alice Zhang(CEO)inJason Chen(Founder)inEmily Ripka(Vice President Product \u0026 Engineering)inNaveen Jain(Investor)inGeorge Spencer(Operations)
Co-investorsAgent CapitalALS Investment FundBOLD LongevityDraper AssociatesFitz Gate VenturesGreat Oaks Venture Capital+28 more
Vertex provides a governance-preserving 3D access layer that streams context-aware pixels from product lifecycle management (PLM) systems to manufacturing, suppliers, and operations teams without exporting derivative geometry files.
Advanced ManufacturingEnterprise Software
Dan Murray(Founder)in
Co-investorsRidgeback CapitalSBI JI Innovation Advisory Ltd.Hyde Park Angels
VIDA provides AI-powered imaging biomarkers and clinical trial imaging services, using its VIDA Intelligence Platform to collect and analyze imaging data across respiratory, cardiovascular, oncology, and other therapeutic areas.
AI & Machine LearningHealthtechMedical DevicesCoralville, US
Susan A. Wood(Executive Officer, Director)inSandra Stapleton(Chief Operating Officer)inTodd Johnson(Chief Technology Officer)inLars Nordenmark(Chief Scientific Officer)in
BoardRobert Bozeman(Director)Craig Ibsen(Director)in
Co-investorsFirst AnalysisRittenhouse VenturesBlue Heron CapitalChartline Capital Partners
VIDA provides imaging data collection and AI-powered analysis services to life sciences companies for accelerating drug development and clinical trials.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechHealthtech
Susan Wood(Chief Executive Officer)inSandra Stapleton(Chief Operating Officer)inTodd Johnson(Chief Technology Officer)inLars Nordenmark(Chief Scientific Officer)inDr. Wood(CEO)Dr. Nordenmark(Chief Scientific Officer)
Co-investorsChartline Capital PartnersDaybreak PartnersInnoventures IowaOSF Ventures
Workgroups provides workflow and communication tools for marketing and creative teams to manage priorities and stakeholder requests.
Future of WorkMarketing Tech
Zest.ai builds AI-based credit underwriting technology that helps lenders assess borrower risk and automate loan decisioning.
AI & Machine LearningFintechSaaSBurbank, US
Mike de Vere(Founder)inDouglas Merrill(Founder)Shawn Budde(Founder)
Co-investorsCurql Collective, LLCFlybridge Capital PartnersLightspeed Venture PartnersMatrixSaints CapitalUpfront Ventures+3 more
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
1Comm MedicalAmes Seed CapitalBoundEltropyViewpoint Molecular TargetingViewpointmtWebCareHealthWinpro
Exits · 2
2 acquisitions · showing 1Tuleacq. by CropX (fomerly Varigate Ltd)
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesiotaMotion · startupintros.com · Jul 13, 2026
equipifi · pymnts.com · May 14, 2026
Silvur · intelligence360.news · Mar 9, 2026
Verge Genomics · fiercebiotech.com · Dec 18, 2025
Zest AI · finance.yahoo.com · Nov 4, 2025
Bankjoy · finovate.com · Oct 13, 2025
Roboflow · salestools.io · Oct 4, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Next Level Ventures made?
- Next Level Ventures has 68 tracked investments, 2 of which have exited, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Next Level Ventures invest at?
- Next Level Ventures invests at the Seed, Series A, Growth stages.
- What is Next Level Ventures's typical check size?
- Next Level Ventures typically writes checks of $500K – $5M.
- What sectors does Next Level Ventures focus on?
- Next Level Ventures focuses on AgTech, AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Cybersecurity, Data & Infrastructure, E-commerce, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Healthtech, HR Tech, IoT, Media & Entertainment, Medical Devices, SaaS, Sector Agnostic, Wellness & Fitness.
- Where is Next Level Ventures located?
- Next Level Ventures is headquartered in Des Moines, US.
- Does Next Level Ventures lead rounds?
- Next Level Ventures typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does Next Level Ventures co-invest with?
- Next Level Ventures most often shares deals with Curql Collective, LLC, ISA Ventures, Innoventures Iowa, among 161 tracked co-investors.
Images
Co-investors · 11
M25 is an early-stage venture firm based in Chicago that invests exclusively in tech startups headquartered in the U.S. Midwest. Since 2015 it has become the region's most active investor, using an analytical scorecard approach to screening startups.
Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs bold, early-stage, technology-driven companies across deep tech and other sectors, providing hands-on 'venture assistance' to help founders build category-defining businesses.
Primetime Partners is an early-stage venture capital fund that incubates and invests in companies transforming the quality of living for older adults, focused on the longevity economy.
Portage is a global fintech and financial services investment platform that partners with companies across all stages, providing flexible capital alongside a network of investors, commercial partners, advisors and value creation experts.
DST Global is a global internet-focused investment firm that backs fast-growing, high-value internet companies. It does not solicit or accept retail investors.
Fusion Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm backing startups with technical or data advantages in healthcare, enterprise AI, and industrial technology.
Brewer Lane Ventures is an early-stage venture firm backing founders reinventing financial services, insurance, and healthcare, including how consumers and companies engage with these services and how risk is assessed and managed.
Sure Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based early-stage venture capital firm that backs mission-driven, rapidly growing technology companies at their earliest stages.
Rebalance Capital Ventures invests in FinTech and WorkforceTech startups. The firm focuses on early-stage companies that advance economic mobility.
Firms observed investing alongside Next Level Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Next Level Ventures's recorded portfolio.
Similar investors
Everywhere Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that writes pre-seed checks and is backed by a community of founder and operator LPs.
i5invest is a strategic M&A advisor for tech scale-ups selling to global acquirers, having completed 250+ international cross-border transactions across software, AI, automation and deep tech. It manages strategic exit processes and corporate development for clients, advising on deals from USD 50 million to USD 1 billion.
Monashees is a Latin American venture capital firm backing technology-driven founders building category-defining companies from the region for global markets.
Alpha Edison is an early-stage venture firm that partners with entrepreneurs using technology to unlock latent demand in markets where consumer and business behaviors are shifting.
MPG Fund is an early-stage venture investor backing technology startups.