Lakewest Venture Partners

Lakewest Venture Partners is a venture capital firm based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2013 as an affiliate of Lakewest, Inc. The firm focuses on investing in high-growth, early-stage technology companies, primarily in the Chicago area. Over the years, Lakewest has evolved its investment strategy, now targeting lead seed-stage investments ranging from $250,000 to $750,000. The firm has a history of varying investment levels, from passive interests of $50,000 to $100,000 to significant lead investments exceeding $1,000,000, often including board involvement. Lakewest Venture Partners is led by a team that includes Buzz Ruttenberg, David Mann, and Jonathan McCulloch, emphasizing its commitment to fostering innovation in the technology sector.

David Mann

Principal

39 past transactions

RealVision

Seed Round in 2017
Realvision is a technology company focused on providing innovative media solutions for the real estate industry. It develops a platform designed to assist real estate agents in marketing properties effectively online. The platform offers a comprehensive marketing package that includes features such as 3D virtual tours, floor plans, and high-quality photographs, enabling agents to showcase properties in a visually engaging manner. By leveraging immersive media technology, Realvision aims to enhance the property selling experience for both agents and potential buyers.

AddStructure

Seed Round in 2017
AddStructure Inc. is a technology company based in New York that specializes in developing a platform for retailers, leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. Founded in 2014, the company offers several key products, including Signal, a plugin that enhances search relevance; Path, which generates search engine optimized landing pages; and Scaffold, an API that supports various search and discovery applications. These tools are designed to help retailers improve their search capabilities and increase organic traffic without the need for extensive engineering resources. AddStructure's technology also enables conversational commerce, allowing consumers to interact with intelligent digital assistants for product discovery and purchasing. As of February 2018, AddStructure operates as a subsidiary of Bazaarvoice, Inc.

XOR Data Exchange

Venture Round in 2017
XOR Data Exchange is a data revolution by providing data owners with the accountability, control, and transparency they want to share data and solve industry challenges with confidence. Developed by data, technology and analytics experts, the company helps organizations optimize and monetize the data they possess, with data from other companies in their industry as well as other industries. XOR Data Exchange was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas, United States.

Align Income Share Funding

Series A in 2016
Align Income Share Funding, formerly Cumulus Funding, is to invest in the American worker. Many people in this country need access to funds for many different reasons. They recognize that in many cases, traditional banks and lenders are unwilling or unable to meet those individuals’ needs. When loans are available, they are made at terms that are extremely favorable to the banks — high and inflexible interest payments, multiple hidden fees and service charges, and often, a requirement that if you can’t make your payments the bank can come and take your personal assets that were pledged as collateral.

Shiftgig

Series B in 2015
Shiftgig, Inc. is a technology company that operates a workforce management platform designed to connect individuals seeking temporary work with businesses requiring on-demand staffing. Founded in 2011 and based in Chicago, Illinois, Shiftgig serves a variety of industries, including food service, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and experiential marketing. The platform allows businesses to post job opportunities while enabling workers to browse and claim shifts that align with their skills and schedules. By collecting data on hiring requirements and worker qualifications, Shiftgig facilitates timely matching and effective event management. The company also provides mobile applications for both Android and iPhone, enhancing accessibility for users. With additional offices in cities such as Milwaukee, Atlanta, Dallas, and New York, Shiftgig aims to streamline staffing processes and optimize workforce management for its clients.

Bucketfeet

Series A in 2015
Bucketfeet is a direct-to-consumer shoe brand that allows artists to create shoe designs and prints them on sneakers once ordered online. Each pair of BucketFeet is designed by a different artist. Find curated inspiration that connects you with the artists that design them. It collaborates with a global community of artists to design limited-edition shoes with the goal of sparking meaningful conversations to create a brighter world. Through a responsive commerce model, Bucketfeet is disrupting traditional manufacturing cycles and redefining the $300B footwear industry, letting the company community select styles they’d like to purchase and wear to help inform demand. It empowers artists to share their stories and perspectives using the universal language of art and the shoe as their canvas. Bucketfeet was founded in 2011 by Raaja Nemani and Aaron Firestein and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

XOR Data Exchange

Series A in 2015
XOR Data Exchange is a data revolution by providing data owners with the accountability, control, and transparency they want to share data and solve industry challenges with confidence. Developed by data, technology and analytics experts, the company helps organizations optimize and monetize the data they possess, with data from other companies in their industry as well as other industries. XOR Data Exchange was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas, United States.

Popular Pays

Series A in 2015
Popular Pays, Inc. operates a platform that connects brands with content creators to facilitate the production of engaging content. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in New York, the company provides a marketplace where brands and creators can collaborate effectively. The platform features tools such as a brief builder, creator profiles, in-app messaging, and API integrations, allowing brands to manage their campaigns efficiently and select suitable creators for their needs. Through its in-house built application and dashboard, Popular Pays enables seamless communication and offers valuable analytics, enhancing the collaboration process for both parties involved.

Packback

Seed Round in 2015
Packback, Inc. is an education technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, that operates an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to enhance critical thinking skills among college students. Founded in 2014, Packback offers two primary products: PB Books, which provides online textbooks on a rental basis, and PB Questions, a digital discussion platform that facilitates online interactions between students and professors. The platform aims to foster a deeper engagement with subject matter, promote personalized learning experiences, and enable educators to assess and improve students' critical thinking abilities effectively. By leveraging its proprietary AI, Packback supports mastery-based learning and sound pedagogical practices in higher education.

Blitsy

Series A in 2015
Blitsy, Inc. is an online retailer specializing in arts and crafts, founded in 2011 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The company offers a comprehensive platform where creative individuals can shop for craft supplies and tools, as well as access instructional videos for various DIY projects. Blitsy focuses on providing a curated shopping experience through limited-time sale events, enhancing the value and inspiration for its customers. As of November 2017, Blitsy operates as a subsidiary of Nicole Crafts LLC, further solidifying its presence in the arts and crafts market.

Rentable

Venture Round in 2015
Rentable is an internet company founded in 2011 and based in Madison, Wisconsin, that focuses on enhancing the apartment rental search experience. Its web-based platform offers users a variety of tools, including localized flat listings, map-based searches, and shortlisting features, allowing for easy navigation through available properties. Additionally, Rentable provides an affordability calculator to assist users in determining suitable rental options based on their budget. By leveraging modern technology and an intuitive user interface, Rentable aims to streamline the process of finding apartments, making it more efficient and user-friendly for individuals seeking rental accommodations.

Luxury Garage Sale

Seed Round in 2015
Luxury Garage Sale, Inc. operates a consignment boutique and an online e-commerce platform specializing in the sale of luxury designer clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories. Founded in 2010 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company offers a diverse range of products, including dresses, jackets, pants, and various types of footwear, as well as a selection of jewelry and fashion accessories. With physical locations in Chicago, Highland Park, and Dallas, Luxury Garage Sale provides consumers with access to high-end fashion items at lower prices through a curated consignment model. The company emphasizes exceptional customer experience while making luxury fashion more accessible.

Bucketfeet

Series A in 2015
Bucketfeet is a direct-to-consumer shoe brand that allows artists to create shoe designs and prints them on sneakers once ordered online. Each pair of BucketFeet is designed by a different artist. Find curated inspiration that connects you with the artists that design them. It collaborates with a global community of artists to design limited-edition shoes with the goal of sparking meaningful conversations to create a brighter world. Through a responsive commerce model, Bucketfeet is disrupting traditional manufacturing cycles and redefining the $300B footwear industry, letting the company community select styles they’d like to purchase and wear to help inform demand. It empowers artists to share their stories and perspectives using the universal language of art and the shoe as their canvas. Bucketfeet was founded in 2011 by Raaja Nemani and Aaron Firestein and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Shiftgig

Series A in 2014
Shiftgig, Inc. is a technology company that operates a workforce management platform designed to connect individuals seeking temporary work with businesses requiring on-demand staffing. Founded in 2011 and based in Chicago, Illinois, Shiftgig serves a variety of industries, including food service, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and experiential marketing. The platform allows businesses to post job opportunities while enabling workers to browse and claim shifts that align with their skills and schedules. By collecting data on hiring requirements and worker qualifications, Shiftgig facilitates timely matching and effective event management. The company also provides mobile applications for both Android and iPhone, enhancing accessibility for users. With additional offices in cities such as Milwaukee, Atlanta, Dallas, and New York, Shiftgig aims to streamline staffing processes and optimize workforce management for its clients.

NuCurrent

Series A in 2014
NuCurrent, Inc. is a developer based in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in high-efficiency antennas and inductive components for wireless power applications. Founded in 2009, the company designs, fabricates, and integrates wireless power antennas and surface-mount inductors for various applications, including power electronics, RF devices, and frequency synthesizers. NuCurrent's products comply with industry standards such as the Alliance for Wireless Power and the Wireless Power Consortium, ensuring broad compatibility. The company collaborates closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and integrators to provide custom-designed, rapid-prototype solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce size, and lower costs. By employing patented designs and advanced manufacturing techniques, NuCurrent aims to improve the durability and performance of wireless power systems, facilitating the evolution of electronic devices.

Telnyx

Seed Round in 2014
Telnyx LLC is a global connectivity platform that specializes in providing carrier-grade voice, messaging, and telecommunications solutions over a private, cloud-agnostic IP network. Established in 2009 and headquartered in Chicago, with additional offices in Dublin, Amsterdam, Warsaw, and São Paulo, Telnyx offers a range of services including SIP trunking, programmatic messaging, embedded communications, and telephony data. Its solutions are accessible through RESTful APIs and an intuitive Mission Control Portal, allowing users to manage their communications needs effectively. As an internationally licensed carrier, Telnyx ensures secure, high-fidelity connectivity while facilitating real-time communications across various applications. The company serves a diverse clientele, including prominent organizations like Cisco and Philips, providing them with mission-critical services backed by 24/7 engineering support.

Packback

Seed Round in 2014
Packback, Inc. is an education technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, that operates an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to enhance critical thinking skills among college students. Founded in 2014, Packback offers two primary products: PB Books, which provides online textbooks on a rental basis, and PB Questions, a digital discussion platform that facilitates online interactions between students and professors. The platform aims to foster a deeper engagement with subject matter, promote personalized learning experiences, and enable educators to assess and improve students' critical thinking abilities effectively. By leveraging its proprietary AI, Packback supports mastery-based learning and sound pedagogical practices in higher education.

Rentable

Series A in 2014
Rentable is an internet company founded in 2011 and based in Madison, Wisconsin, that focuses on enhancing the apartment rental search experience. Its web-based platform offers users a variety of tools, including localized flat listings, map-based searches, and shortlisting features, allowing for easy navigation through available properties. Additionally, Rentable provides an affordability calculator to assist users in determining suitable rental options based on their budget. By leveraging modern technology and an intuitive user interface, Rentable aims to streamline the process of finding apartments, making it more efficient and user-friendly for individuals seeking rental accommodations.

Earshot

Seed Round in 2014
Earshot, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that develops a social media software platform aimed at enhancing real-time precision-based marketing services for brands. The platform includes several key offerings: Earshot Pulse, which provides an engagement platform and analytics dashboard; Earshot Precision, a programmatic paid media solution that allows for custom audience segmentation and targeted advertising based on offline behaviors; and Earshot Insight, which delivers customized reports on location, competitive intelligence, and event-based analytics. A notable feature of Earshot's technology is its patent-pending Decibel Level, a real-time relevancy score that helps brands prioritize social media posts based on various customizable factors such as location and content. By filtering posts from targeted locations, Earshot enables brands to discover and engage consumers effectively, ultimately improving their return on investment from social media marketing efforts.

Blitsy

Debt Financing in 2014
Blitsy, Inc. is an online retailer specializing in arts and crafts, founded in 2011 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The company offers a comprehensive platform where creative individuals can shop for craft supplies and tools, as well as access instructional videos for various DIY projects. Blitsy focuses on providing a curated shopping experience through limited-time sale events, enhancing the value and inspiration for its customers. As of November 2017, Blitsy operates as a subsidiary of Nicole Crafts LLC, further solidifying its presence in the arts and crafts market.

SpotHero

Series A in 2014
SpotHero Inc. is a company that provides parking reservation services, allowing drivers to find, compare, and reserve discounted parking spots through its mobile application and website. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Detroit, Michigan, the company also operates in Toronto, Canada. SpotHero serves as a consumer marketplace for parking in North America, connecting users with various parking facilities, including lots, garages, and valet services. The platform facilitates data exchange and payment processing, streamlining the parking experience for customers.

Visibly

Seed Round in 2014
Visibly, Inc. is a healthcare technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, that specializes in providing online eye examination services to patients across the United States. Formerly known as Opternative, Inc., the company rebranded in November 2018. Visibly offers digital vision care solutions, including refractive eye exams that determine prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses. The company's services cater to a diverse clientele, including e-commerce employers, eye care providers, insurance companies, online healthcare platforms, and optical retailers. By offering a virtual vision testing platform, Visibly enables patients to conveniently renew their prescriptions from anywhere, ensuring accessibility to eye care services.

OpenMarkets

Series A in 2014
OpenMarkets LLC is a collaborative marketplace specializing in capital medical equipment, including clinical items such as anesthesia machines and imaging equipment, as well as commoditized goods like laptops and furniture. Founded in 2010 and based in Skokie, Illinois, the company provides a software-as-a-service (SAAS) platform that enhances budgeting and planning for healthcare providers, improving supply chain visibility into clinician needs and vendor relationships. OpenMarkets also offers outsourced sourcing services and aggregates demand from hospitals to create volume savings opportunities. Its innovative system tracks equipment requirements, facilitating better negotiation and purchasing decisions while charging subscription and transaction fees for its services. Additionally, OpenMarkets has developed a cloud-based mobile engagement platform, indigo, to streamline communication for businesses.

Bucketfeet

Seed Round in 2013
Bucketfeet is a direct-to-consumer shoe brand that allows artists to create shoe designs and prints them on sneakers once ordered online. Each pair of BucketFeet is designed by a different artist. Find curated inspiration that connects you with the artists that design them. It collaborates with a global community of artists to design limited-edition shoes with the goal of sparking meaningful conversations to create a brighter world. Through a responsive commerce model, Bucketfeet is disrupting traditional manufacturing cycles and redefining the $300B footwear industry, letting the company community select styles they’d like to purchase and wear to help inform demand. It empowers artists to share their stories and perspectives using the universal language of art and the shoe as their canvas. Bucketfeet was founded in 2011 by Raaja Nemani and Aaron Firestein and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Packback

Venture Round in 2013
Packback, Inc. is an education technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, that operates an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to enhance critical thinking skills among college students. Founded in 2014, Packback offers two primary products: PB Books, which provides online textbooks on a rental basis, and PB Questions, a digital discussion platform that facilitates online interactions between students and professors. The platform aims to foster a deeper engagement with subject matter, promote personalized learning experiences, and enable educators to assess and improve students' critical thinking abilities effectively. By leveraging its proprietary AI, Packback supports mastery-based learning and sound pedagogical practices in higher education.

Popular Pays

Seed Round in 2013
Popular Pays, Inc. operates a platform that connects brands with content creators to facilitate the production of engaging content. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in New York, the company provides a marketplace where brands and creators can collaborate effectively. The platform features tools such as a brief builder, creator profiles, in-app messaging, and API integrations, allowing brands to manage their campaigns efficiently and select suitable creators for their needs. Through its in-house built application and dashboard, Popular Pays enables seamless communication and offers valuable analytics, enhancing the collaboration process for both parties involved.

Enmetric Systems

Seed Round in 2013
Enmetric Systems, Inc. is an enterprise Internet of Things company based in Belmont, California, that specializes in plug load management solutions for large enterprises. Founded in 2008, the company provides a platform that allows organizations to monitor, control, and manage energy consumption across various electronic devices, including workstation electronics, shared enterprise equipment, and kitchen appliances. By integrating its technology into common electrical interfaces such as power strips and outlets, Enmetric offers real-time energy use data and automated control, enabling clients to implement energy-use policies effectively. The platform also supports applications for reporting, peak-load reduction, load shifting, demand response, space optimization, and device audits, helping enterprises reduce energy costs and improve overall efficiency.

NextSpace

Seed Round in 2013
NextSpace Coworking & Innovation, Inc. is a provider of shared workspaces located in various cities, including Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose, Culver City, and Chicago. Founded in 2008 and based in Santa Cruz, California, the company caters to freelancers, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals by offering both physical and virtual workspace solutions. Its facilities include desks, private offices, conference rooms, and amenities such as high-speed internet, printing services, and community programming. NextSpace focuses on fostering a collaborative environment that serves as a hub for networking and inspiration, while accommodating diverse workstyles through flexible options like day passes and dedicated workstations. The company operates as a subsidiary of PBC Management LLC.

Blitsy

Seed Round in 2013
Blitsy, Inc. is an online retailer specializing in arts and crafts, founded in 2011 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The company offers a comprehensive platform where creative individuals can shop for craft supplies and tools, as well as access instructional videos for various DIY projects. Blitsy focuses on providing a curated shopping experience through limited-time sale events, enhancing the value and inspiration for its customers. As of November 2017, Blitsy operates as a subsidiary of Nicole Crafts LLC, further solidifying its presence in the arts and crafts market.

Desktime

Seed Round in 2013
Desktime is a online platform and directory that helps people rent desk space by the day, week, or month.

SimpleRelevance

Series A in 2013
SimpleRelevance's machine learning technology was acquired in December 2015 by Rise Interactive. To see more information about Rise, visit their page here: www.riseinteractive.com Read more about the machine learning technology below. SimpleRelevance is the only machine learning platform that leverages your existing tools and workflow to personalize your digital marketing messages. SimpleRelevance is the only multi-channel optimization platform that uses internal and external data to automate and execute smarter marketing messages. SimpleRelevance combines customers’ behavioral, demographic, and psychographic data, with patent-pending technology to create digital marketing messages that are individually personalized down to the time of day the message is sent, subject line, and product recommendations shown. The result? Higher conversions, sales, and ROI.

LearnCore

Venture Round in 2013
LearnCore is a cloud-based learning platform, focused on “mission critical” skills development and the creation of more top performers for your organization. Its collaborative technology saves time and allows participants to quickly practice a skill/response and learn from top performers. Managers & Executives get intelligence knowing where their team stands and where the gaps lie. See why employees love to use LearnCore, contact us for a demo: http://learncore.com/request-demo/

OpenMarkets

Series A in 2013
OpenMarkets LLC is a collaborative marketplace specializing in capital medical equipment, including clinical items such as anesthesia machines and imaging equipment, as well as commoditized goods like laptops and furniture. Founded in 2010 and based in Skokie, Illinois, the company provides a software-as-a-service (SAAS) platform that enhances budgeting and planning for healthcare providers, improving supply chain visibility into clinician needs and vendor relationships. OpenMarkets also offers outsourced sourcing services and aggregates demand from hospitals to create volume savings opportunities. Its innovative system tracks equipment requirements, facilitating better negotiation and purchasing decisions while charging subscription and transaction fees for its services. Additionally, OpenMarkets has developed a cloud-based mobile engagement platform, indigo, to streamline communication for businesses.

Shiftgig

Series A in 2012
Shiftgig, Inc. is a technology company that operates a workforce management platform designed to connect individuals seeking temporary work with businesses requiring on-demand staffing. Founded in 2011 and based in Chicago, Illinois, Shiftgig serves a variety of industries, including food service, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and experiential marketing. The platform allows businesses to post job opportunities while enabling workers to browse and claim shifts that align with their skills and schedules. By collecting data on hiring requirements and worker qualifications, Shiftgig facilitates timely matching and effective event management. The company also provides mobile applications for both Android and iPhone, enhancing accessibility for users. With additional offices in cities such as Milwaukee, Atlanta, Dallas, and New York, Shiftgig aims to streamline staffing processes and optimize workforce management for its clients.

Ingage

Series C in 2012
Ingage offers a suite of tools that help sales teams create, customize and deliver branded sales content that boosts engagement at every stage of the sales process. Teams can quickly Create a new presentation or import an existing PPTX file; Share from any mobile device allowing users to capture attention by leveraging touchable images, videos, product specs and branding, and ensure all elements are up-to-date and easily accessible; and Measure to understand if content is being viewed, how many times and by what people, and adapt the content for better results.
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