Starting Line
Venture capitalChicago · Pre-Seed–Series A · 5 people tracked
Also known as Starting Line New TV · THE STARTING LINE MANAGEMENT, LLC
Investment thesis
Chicago-first seed investor focused on cheaper and better consumer services, offering an open-source Operating Manual on GitHub, hands-on data/KPI support, and an operator-backed local ecosystem.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 25, 2026.
Team · 5 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 45 of 56 portfolio companiesConsumer ×13SaaS ×11E-commerce ×10AI & Machine Learning ×9Direct to Consumer ×7Fintech ×7Logistics & Supply Chain ×6Marketplaces ×6
HQs:United States×29
Who they back
founder profiles across 28 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×132 founders×133 founders×2
Where their founders studiedfrom 14 founders with education data
Duke University ×3Princeton University ×2Texas McCombs School of Business ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 16 founders with career history
LinkedIn ×2Princeton in Asia ×2RBC Capital Markets ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 56 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 22024 · 12023 · 12022 · 12019 · 22018 · 29 dated
Buncha is a social commerce platform that delivers groceries and products from favorite stores on a neighborhood-based schedule.
CleantechConsumerE-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainHopkins, US
Co-investorsMatchstick VenturesTechstarsUnusual VenturesAssembly VenturesFoundryMu Ventures+1 more
Chicago, US
Steven Galanis(Executive Officer, Director)Dave Hsu(Executive Officer)Eric Fleisig-Greene(Executive Officer)
BoardJonathan Turner(Director)Jonathan Shulkin(Director)
Board seatEzra Galston· per SEC Form D · $12.9M raise · filed Sep 2022
Co-investorsKleiner PerkinsValor Equity Partners
Stuart, US
Board seatEzra Galston· per SEC Form D · $25M raise · filed Mar 2024
HealthtechEvanston, US
Jacob Avraham(Executive Officer, Director)Elan Mosbacher(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardGuy Turner(Director)in
Board seatHaley Kwait Zollo· per SEC Form D · $9.5M raise · filed May 2025
Co-investorsHyde Park Venture Partners
Unchained provides bitcoin financial services including custody, loans, and wealth management built on collaborative custody structures.
Crypto & Web3FintechAustin, US
Joseph Kelly(Executive Officer, Director)Dhruv Bansal(Executive Officer, Director)inMichael Komaransky(Director)Mike Erwin(Director)
Board seatEzra Galston· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsTrammell Venture Partners (TVP)Ecliptic CapitalNYDIG
Agentio is an AI infrastructure platform that enables brands to buy creator media at scale.
AdTechAI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyMarketing TechNew York, US
Arthur Leopold(Co-Founder and CEO)inJonathan Meyers(Co-Founder and CTO)in
BoardSarah Tavel(Benchmark director)inEurie Kim(Forerunner managing partner / Series B investor)
Co-investorsAlleyCorpAntlerAntler AustraliaBackwards CapitalCraft VenturesForerunner Ventures+2 more
Beverly Hills, US
Brandon Werber(Executive Officer, Director)Eliyahu Ben-Ezra(Executive Officer)Roy Rubin(Director)Asher Leids(Director)
BoardWilliam Su(Director)David Shadpour(Director)
Co-investorsCanvas VenturesHawke VenturesMountain Group CapitalPath Ventures75 & SunnyBracket Capital+3 more
AnyCreek provides business management software for hunting and fishing guides and outfitters, combining calendar scheduling, payments and deposits, marketing, and client information in one platform.
MarketplacesSaaSSports TechMemphis, US
Benjamin Lazarov(Founder)inNick Larson(Founder)
Athena Security offers an AI-powered concealed weapons detection and security screening platform that adds real-time monitoring, compliance documentation, and operational oversight on top of physical detector hardware from vendors like Apollo, CEIA, Garrett, and Metrasens.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityHardware
Michael G.(Founder)inLisa Falzone(Founder)in
Co-investorsCleo CapitalHinge CapitalMaC Venture CapitalRivet VenturesSINEWAVE VENTURES
Attain provides a consumer purchase-data platform built on permissioned, real-time transaction activity, letting marketers build high-intent audiences, target shoppers across channels, and measure the sales impact of media campaigns.
AdTechData & InfrastructureMarketing Tech
Co-investorsMercato PartnersMotivate Venture Capital
Pinch offers on-demand, in-home medical aesthetics treatments delivered by board-certified providers, with options for private group bookings.
ConsumerHealthtechWellness & Fitness
Co-investorsHyde Park Venture Partners
Boom operates a leasing platform connecting property managers and renters through the full leasing process, from inquiry to approved resident.
FintechPropTechSaaSAustin, US
Rob Whiting(Co-founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsBungalow CapitalClocktower VenturesMischiefChingona VenturesThe Fund
Marketplace enabling users to request personalized video messages or live chats with celebrities and influencers.
Steven Galanis(Co-founder)inMartin Blencowe(Founder)inDevon Spinnler Townsend(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsChaifetz GroupChicago VenturesCleo CapitalConnect VenturesDigi VenturesDuke Capital Partners+14 more
Cargado operates a digital marketplace connecting freight brokers and carriers for cross-border freight movements between Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
B2B MarketplacesLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSChicago, US
Matt Silver(Co-founder)inRylan Hawkins(Co-founder)inMatthew Silver(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardBrad Svrluga(Director)in
Co-investorsLGVPAssembly VenturesConversion CapitalIronspring VenturePrimary Venture PartnersProeza Ventures+3 more
Chowbus provides technology solutions designed for restaurants, with current focus on U.S.-based establishments.
FoodTechSaaSChicago, US
Suyu Zhang(Executive Officer, Director)Linxin Wen(Executive Officer, Director)inHoward Bhyun(Executive Officer)Qi Zhao(Executive Officer)Pu Chen(Executive Officer)
BoardHarley Miller(Director)in
Co-investorsCeltic House Asia PartnersFikaLeft Lane CapitalAltos VenturesGold House VenturesHyde Park Angels
Classet offers Joy, an AI voice recruiter that automatically contacts, screens, and interviews job candidates via phone, SMS, and email, then delivers structured summaries, transcripts, and recommendations to hiring teams.
AI & Machine LearningHR TechSaaSChicago, US
Nick Jones(Executive Officer, Director)inGino Rooney(Executive Officer)inCooper Newby(Executive Officer, Director)in
Co-investorsCity LightWayfinder Ventures
Clyde provides an ownership enrichment platform that helps merchants manage product warranties, registrations, and customer issue resolutions to build long-lasting customer relationships.
E-commerceInsurTechRetail TechSaaSNew York City, US
Brandon Gell(Founder)
Co-investorsHeadlineCrosslink CapitalExpaTechstarsRainfall VenturesRed Sea Ventures+1 more
Coverstar is a social media app for young people featuring creator-focused features like daily challenges, livestreaming, and avatar gaming, with AI-assisted and human-moderated content to prioritize user safety.
ConsumerCreator EconomySocial
Ryan So(Founder)in
Co-investorsDraper AssociatesMyAsiaVCStrategxy Ventures LLCTriptyq Capital
Curbside SOS is an online marketplace that matches stranded motorists with local, insured roadside assistance and towing providers in real time, returning quotes and ETAs within minutes.
Logistics & Supply ChainMarketplacesMobility & Transportation
Co-investorsOrigin Ventures
Flyhomes provides a wholesale lending platform offering "Buy Before You Sell" financial products that allow homebuyers to purchase a home before selling their current one.
B2B MarketplacesFintechPropTechSeattle, US
Tushar Garg(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inStephen Lane(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Adam Hopson(Executive Officer)inRyan Dibble(Executive Officer)in
BoardAlex Rampell(Director)inMike Ghaffary(Director)in
Co-investorsCanvas VenturesNorwest Venture PartnersAndreessen HorowitzBattery VenturesCamber CreekVesta Ventures+2 more
Fondue offers CashBack, a customer incentive tool that lets shoppers choose rewards (store credit or prepaid cards) after purchase to drive conversions and email/SMS opt-ins while protecting merchant margins.
E-commerceMarketing TechSaaS
Co-investorsGround Up VenturesSamsung NextJam FundQuiet Capital
Hitch operates a long-distance rideshare service that transports riders between cities by car, offering options such as shared, private, XL, standby, and pet-friendly rides.
MarketplacesMobility & TransportationTravel & Hospitality
Kush S.(Founder)inSean Cleland(Founder)in
Co-investorsEvergreen Mountain Equity PartnersStartFast Ventures
HotMic provides tools that platforms embed to let creators produce, distribute, and monetize video content directly inside those platforms, along with analytics for engagement, retention, and revenue.
Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSaaS
Sean Longworth(Founder)in
Co-investorsIU Ventures
Hungryroot is a personalized meal and grocery service that combines the convenience of meal kits with the variety of a grocery store, allowing customers to set their own budget and receive curated meals and ingredients matched to their dietary preferences.
Direct to ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechNew York, US
Benjamin McKean(President and Chief Executive Officer)
Co-investorsAdvection Growth CapitalCrosslink CapitalGreat Oaks Venture CapitalLerer HippeauLightspeed Venture PartnersZelkova Ventures+3 more
Hunt Club provides retained executive search and team buildout services, using an expert network of business leaders and AI models to surface candidates and map trusted paths to reach them.
AI & Machine LearningFuture of WorkHR TechChicago, US
Sami Ahmed(Founder)inScott Kacyn(Founder)
Co-investorsKnoll VenturesTBD AngelsTeamworthy Ventures
Klover provides early access to earnings, budgeting tools, and rewards to help users manage debt and improve credit without interest charges, credit checks, or hidden fees.
FintechHighland Park, US
Brian S Mandelbaum(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsCore Venture CapitalLightbankUpper90
M1 is a technology company offering brokerage services, advisory products, savings accounts, personal loans, and cryptocurrency trading to individual investors.
Fintech
Co-investorsAMK Investment OfficeChaifetz GroupChicago VenturesClocktower VenturesLeft Lane CapitalToba Capital
Made In sells professional-grade cookware, knives, and kitchenware, including products used in restaurants and test kitchens.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerce
JakeChip
Co-investorsEscalate Capital Partners
EQ is a consumer brand offering CBD and low-dose THC hemp-derived products, marketed primarily toward women who use cannabis for wellness and care.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerWellness & Fitness
Marcy Capron(Founder)in
Co-investorsSalveo CapitalThe Players' ImpactHyde Park Angels
Mystery Tackle Box sells fishing gear and lure kits for anglers, including the Pond Prowler cross-body sling bag pre-stocked with curated lures for pond, creek, and shoreline fishing.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceSports TechChicago, US
Ross Gordon(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Jeremy Gwynne(Executive Officer, Promoter)
Co-investorsTrue Ventures
NorthStar provides year-long, fully virtual treatment for alcohol and substance use disorders, combining genetic testing, personalized medication and nutrient therapy, VR-based peer support, and a 9-person interdisciplinary care team.
Digital HealthHealthtechMental Health
Amanda Wilson, MD, DFASAM(Founder)in
Path is an SEC-registered crypto robo-investment advisor offering automated, long-term digital asset investment strategies.
Crypto & Web3Fintech
Co-investorsHyde Park AngelsMotivate Venture Capital
Poplin is an on-demand wash-dry-fold laundry service platform that connects customers with independent Laundry Pros for pickup, laundering, and next-day or same-day delivery.
ConsumerLogistics & Supply ChainMarketplaces
Co-investorsOrigin Ventures
PrettyLitter makes a silica-based cat litter with color-changing crystals that monitor a cat's urine pH and detect signs of illness while controlling odor.
ConsumerDigital HealthDirect to Consumer
Co-investorsCorazon CapitalDraper Associates
Daniel Fruhman(Founder)inJosh Fruhman(Founder)in
Co-investorsAbstract VenturesBackwards CapitalRed Sea Ventures
Rise Science develops RISE, a mobile app that tracks sleep and energy levels while providing personalized recommendations based on sleep debt and circadian rhythm science.
ConsumerHealthtechWellness & FitnessChicago, US
Jeff Kahn(Co-founder)inLeon Sasson(Co-founder)
Co-investorsHigh AlphaFreestyle CapitalTrue VenturesChicago VenturesFelicis VenturesHyde Park Venture Partners
Upcraft (meetwithspot.com) builds customizable AI agents that engage sales prospects via text and calls to respond to inbound leads, follow up on proposals, and rebook missed meetings directly into a connected calendar and CRM.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales Tech
Co-investorsVibe Capital
SpotHero is a parking reservation app that helps drivers find and book affordable parking at garages, lots, and valet services across North American cities.
ConsumerLogistics & Supply ChainMarketplacesMobility & TransportationChicago, US
Mark Lawrence(Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer)inLarry Kiss(Co-Founder, Chief Architect Officer)Jeremy Smith(Executive Officer, Director)Sam Guren(Director)Lawrence Kiss
BoardSamuel Guren(Director)
Co-investors500 GlobalBlossom Street VenturesBullpen CapitalChicago VenturesCorazon CapitalInsight Partners+10 more
Sunbit provides point-of-sale financing and a fee-free co-branded credit card that let consumers pay over time for in-person services such as auto repair, dental, and optical care, as well as retail purchases.
FintechRetail TechLos Angeles, US
Arad Levertov(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Co-investorsAltaIR CapitalChicago VenturesGroup 11Soundproof VenturesZeev Ventures
SuperCircle is a technology and reverse logistics platform that helps retail brands launch trade-in programs and manage excess inventory to reduce textile waste.
Circular EconomyLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Chloe Marie Songer(Founder)inStuart Ahlum(Founder)in
Co-investorsFab Co-Creation Studio VenturesFoundryRareBreed VenturesUlu VenturesWireframe VenturesBBG Ventures+2 more
Superpower offers personalized health testing and monitoring for consumers, analyzing 100+ biomarkers across multiple body systems.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthWellness & Fitness
Dr Anant Vinjamoori
Co-investorsBackwards CapitalBlack FlagForerunner VenturesLaunch HouseLong Journey VenturesNext Legacy Partners+5 more
The Players Trunk is an online platform where college and professional athletes sell game-used gear, merchandise, autographed collectibles, and experiences to their fans.
E-commerceMarketplacesSports Tech
Troveo sources, curates, and licenses training-ready video, audio, gaming, and robotics datasets for companies building AI and world models.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureMedia & Entertainment
Co-investorsSpacecadet Ventures
Corporate site for Henkel's Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands business units, presenting branded products and technologies for consumer and industrial markets.
Advanced ManufacturingConsumerNew MaterialsLouisville, US
Alex Reed(Executive Officer, Director)Jonathan Bostock(Executive Officer, Director)
Ubiquitous is an influencer marketing agency that builds and scales creator partnership programs for brands across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social platforms, handling strategy, creator sourcing, contracts, briefs, payments, and performance tracking.
AdTechCreator EconomyMarketing Tech
Co-investorsDuke Capital Partners
Umami Cart is an online grocery service focused on Asian foods, offering ingredients and products alongside recipe content such as guides to Korean noodle dishes.
Direct to ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechNew York, US
Andrea Xu(Co-Founder & CEO)inWill Nichols(Co-Founder & COO)in
Co-investorsGold House VenturesPICUS CAPITALReshapeFJ LabsM13
Xena Workwear designs and sells ASTM-certified safety footwear and work apparel engineered specifically for women's feet, including steel-toe, composite-toe, and metatarsal-guard boots.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceNorthville, US
Anastasia Kraft(Executive Officer, Director)Ana Kraft(Founder & CEO)Dmitry Krivochenitser(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsIrishAngels
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 portfolioUmamicartacq. by Shef
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Every · smartcompany.com.au · Aug 21, 2026
Boom · commercialobserver.com · Aug 18, 2026
Hungryroot · fortuneindia.com · Jul 17, 2026
Clyde · evanstonnow.com · Jul 17, 2026
Agentio · prnewswire.com · Jul 13, 2026
Klover · klover.ai · Jun 2, 2026
Chowbus · chicagostarmedia.com · Mar 21, 2026
Spot Hero · cnbc.com · Feb 23, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Starting Line made?
- Starting Line has 52 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Starting Line invest at?
- Starting Line invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Starting Line's typical check size?
- Starting Line typically writes checks of $750K – $2M.
- What sectors does Starting Line focus on?
- Starting Line focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Consumer, Healthtech.
- Where is Starting Line located?
- Starting Line is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Does Starting Line lead rounds?
- Yes, Starting Line leads investment rounds.
- Who does Starting Line co-invest with?
- Starting Line most often shares deals with Chicago Ventures, Backwards Capital, Left Lane Capital, among 115 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamEzra Galston (S2/ E5): How Starting Line Helps Founders Address Their Mental Health
Visible · Ezra Galston
Starting Line VC - Ezra Galston - Bootstrapping In America | tastylive
Ezra Galston · tastylive.com
Rethinking Supply Selling Your Own Product - Ezra Galston, Starting Line
Marketplace Conference · Ezra Galston
"Building Managed vs Non-Managed Marketplaces" - Ezra Galston, The Starting Line
Marketplace Conference · Ezra Galston
Haley Kwait Zollo - Starting Line Fund II
Haley Kwait Zollo · vimeo.com
Ezra Galston - Starting Line Fund II
Ezra Galston · vimeo.com
Co-investors · 16
Origin Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing founders building companies in the artificial intelligence economy, focusing on infrastructure, software, applications, services, and marketplaces that transform productivity and automation.
Lightspeed is a global venture capital firm that has spent over two decades backing innovative companies as an early and first investor.
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.
Next Play Ventures is an investment firm founded by former LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner, focused on coaching and investing in entrepreneurial leaders building purpose-driven organizations.
Mischief is a San Francisco-based venture firm investing $1-5M in early-stage software companies, run by a small partnership of former operators.
Ironspring Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on the digital transformation of legacy industrial sectors, backing startups across construction, supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, and energy.
Proeza Ventures is a venture capital firm investing exclusively in early-stage startups in the mobility space, describing itself as the largest mobility fund in Latin America.
Sequoia Capital is a venture capital firm that partners with founders to build technology companies.
Social Leverage is an early-stage venture firm that partners with founders at the seed stage, providing capital along with operational expertise, network access, and media reach.
Footwork is a San Francisco-based venture firm that leads and co-leads Seed and Series A rounds in companies showing early product-market fit, focusing on consumer technology and the consumerization of enterprise technology.
Dreamers VC is an early-stage venture firm that leverages a global network to connect founders with companies and provide support in high-growth markets.
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.
▶4 more co-investors
Solana VenturesG20 VenturesVU Venture PartnersBehind Genius Ventures
Firms observed investing alongside Starting Line, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Starting Line's recorded portfolio.
Similar investors
Amadeus Capital Partners is a technology investment firm that backs founders building complex, science-led and deep tech businesses, supporting them over the long term as they scale internationally.
.jpeg){kind=logo}
B Capital is a global investment firm backing early to late-stage technology innovators across technology, healthcare, and energy & resilience sectors.
Cherubic Ventures is known for investing before a startup even launches or reaches product-market fit, often as the first institutional investor, while also setting aside half of its latest fund for follow-on support all the way through pre-IPO; it was also one of the first venture firms to operate as a solo general partner and has grown into one of the largest funds run that way. Founded by Matt Cheng, who previously built two companies that each reached over $1 billion in public market value, the firm was designed from the start to invest across both the U.S. and Asia, backing early breakout companies in places like Croatia, Bangladesh, Japan, and Taiwan in addition to the U.S., with its Taipei roots still central to its identity alongside its Silicon Valley presence.
Fly Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that backs founders at the zero-to-one stage, with portfolio companies going on to raise substantial follow-on funding from top US and European VCs.
.png)
General Catalyst is a venture capital firm operating as a partnership focused on company building and accelerating the growth of the businesses it backs.