Fundraising Fox
Chicago · Growth · 5 people tracked
Also known as COLLECTIVE STUDY, LLC
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Investment thesis
The 81 Collection argues that while roughly 19% of U.S. GDP attracts over half of venture and growth equity capital, the remaining 81% of the economy is chronically under-invested. Run by operators who built companies in hard, foundational industries, the firm backs founders modernizing overlooked sectors: low-margin 'boring services' like recycling, nursing homes, and small businesses; capital-intensive blue-collar and manufacturing work aided by computing and automation; physical spaces and real estate improved through IoT; and inequitable structures in education, government, and social assistance. It favors builders using technology, cash flow, and a long-term mindset to solve real problems and rebuild the middle class.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 29, 2026.
Team · 5 people
from curated & public directoriesFounder mafia
4 people who came through The 81 Collection went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 4 of 8 portfolio companiesEnterprise Software ×3Consumer ×1Cybersecurity ×1Data & Infrastructure ×1Developer Tools ×1E-commerce ×1FoodTech ×1Hardware ×1
HQs:United States×4
Investments · 8 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathFarmer's Fridge operates a network of smart, automated Fridges that dispense fresh, healthy meals and snacks.
ConsumerFoodTechHardwareRetail Tech
Luke Saunders(Founder)in
Co-investorsCleveland AvenueDanone Manifesto VentureDns CapitalGreatPoint VenturesMaywic Select InvestmentsMDT Ventures+2 more
Chicago-based online food ordering and delivery platform, formerly NYSE-listed, now owned by Marc Lore's Wonder Group.
Matt Maloney(Founder)inMike Evans(Founder)
Co-investorsArba LLCDag VenturesFelicis VenturesLightspeed Venture PartnersOrigin VenturesSilver Lake Partners+3 more
OwnLocal provides software that helps local media companies enable their advertiser customers to run digital advertising campaigns.
Enterprise SoftwareMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentAustin, US
Jason Novek(Founder)inJeremy MimsinLloyd Armbrust(Founder)in
Co-investors500 GlobalBaseline VenturesForefront VentureRiverside Acceleration CapitalY CombinatorAgrolimen Ventures+4 more
ShipBob provides fulfillment and logistics services for ecommerce businesses, enabling direct-to-consumer brands to outsource order fulfillment and warehouse operations.
E-commerceEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainChicago, US
Divey Gulati(Founder)inDhruv Saxena(Founder)inAnthony Watson(Cofounder)in
Co-investorsBain Capital VenturesBragiel BrothersFJ LabsFundersClubHyde Park Venture PartnersJunipero+19 more
Teleport is an infrastructure identity platform that modernizes identity, access, and policy for computing environments.
CybersecurityData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US
Ev Kontsevoy(Founder)inAlexander Klizhentas(Founder)Taylor Wakefield(Founder)inAleksandr Klizhentas(Founder)
Co-investors137 VenturesBessemer Venture PartnersChemistryCisco InvestmentsKleiner PerkinsY Combinator+15 more
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
IndustriousKinTide
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has The 81 Collection made?
- The 81 Collection has 8 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited.
- What stage does The 81 Collection invest at?
- The 81 Collection invests at the Growth stage.
- What sectors does The 81 Collection focus on?
- The 81 Collection focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Circular Economy, Construction Tech, Deep Tech, EdTech, GovTech, Hardware, Healthtech, Impact & Social Good, IoT, Logistics & Supply Chain, PropTech, Retail Tech, Robotics.
- Where is The 81 Collection located?
- The 81 Collection is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Does The 81 Collection lead rounds?
- The 81 Collection typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does The 81 Collection co-invest with?
- The 81 Collection most often shares deals with Felicis Ventures, FJ Labs, FundersClub, among 29 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamFrom P&G Exit to $41M VC Fund: Why Boring Industries Win | Vijen Patel of The 81 Collection
George Khalife · Vijen Patel
Vijen Patel of The 81 Collection - Bootstrapping In America | tastylive
Vijen Patel · tastylive.com
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