Lightbank

Lightbank, established in 2010, is a Chicago-based venture capital firm managing a $700 million fund. It invests in early-stage, vertically-focused companies across sectors such as AI, consumer, enterprise, healthcare, crypto, fintech, and climate. The firm targets pre-seed, seed, and Series A opportunities, writing initial checks ranging from $250,000 to $5 million. Lightbank has invested in over 150 companies, including notable successes like Tempus, Udemy, and Fiverr.

Dwight Greenhouse

Associate

Eric Lefkofsky

Founding Partner

Parker Lyman

Associate

Zack Malkin

Venture Partner

Mike Mauceri

CFO

Bill Pescatello

General Partner

Jyothi Vallurupalli

Senior Associate

Past deals in Illinois

86 Repairs

Series A in 2022
86 Repairs is a Chicago-based software company that offers a subscription platform for managing the entire repair process for restaurant groups. Founded in 2018, the company provides a comprehensive maintenance management solution that covers equipment repairs for appliances such as ice machines, dishwashers, and ovens. With 24/7 support from a team of experts, 86 Repairs helps restaurant owners streamline their operations by relieving them of repair-related burdens, allowing them to concentrate on customer service. The platform delivers actionable insights to enhance back-of-house operations and ensures complete management of the service process, thereby improving efficiency and reducing downtime for restaurants.

Leap

Series B in 2022
Leap Services, Inc., established in 2018 and based in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in branded retail. It operates a platform that enables brands to set up stores in optimal locations, securing favorable terms. Leap also manages retail stores for consumer brands in major U.S. cities, offering a comprehensive service that covers store development, staffing, and technology infrastructure. By utilizing data-driven insights and a technology-enabled approach, Leap aims to make physical retail more productive and less risky for brands, driving growth and enhancing customer experience.

Leap

Venture Round in 2020
Leap Services, Inc., established in 2018 and based in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in branded retail. It operates a platform that enables brands to set up stores in optimal locations, securing favorable terms. Leap also manages retail stores for consumer brands in major U.S. cities, offering a comprehensive service that covers store development, staffing, and technology infrastructure. By utilizing data-driven insights and a technology-enabled approach, Leap aims to make physical retail more productive and less risky for brands, driving growth and enhancing customer experience.

Clearcover

Series B in 2019
Clearcover, Inc. is a digital car insurance provider based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2016. The company focuses on delivering affordable car insurance products through an online platform and agents, utilizing an API-first approach to enhance customer experience. Clearcover leverages advanced technology to streamline the insurance process, minimizing costs by avoiding expensive advertising, which allows them to offer better coverage at lower rates. The company's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has garnered recognition, including accolades from Glassdoor and Inc. Magazine for its workplace culture.

Nubundle

Seed Round in 2018
Nubundle Inc. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in family planning and fertility services. The company offers a comprehensive platform that connects individuals with a network of experienced fertility experts and provides access to affordable fertility services, including lower-priced medications and financing options. By serving as an employee benefit, Nubundle enables employers to enhance their support for employees' family planning needs, offering live guidance and preferred pricing at clinics and pharmacies. Through its services, Nubundle aims to deliver clarity, confidence, and affordability in fertility care, thereby redefining the relationship between employers and families.

SpotHero

Series C in 2018
SpotHero Inc. is a leading provider of parking reservation services in North America, enabling drivers to easily locate and secure parking spots through its mobile application and website. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Detroit and operations in Toronto, the company allows users to compare prices and reserve discounted parking in garages and lots. The SpotHero application connects various parking facilities, including garages and valet services, facilitating seamless data exchange and payment processing. By streamlining the parking experience, SpotHero aims to make urban areas more accessible and enhance connectivity for drivers.

Clearcover

Series A in 2017
Clearcover, Inc. is a digital car insurance provider based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2016. The company focuses on delivering affordable car insurance products through an online platform and agents, utilizing an API-first approach to enhance customer experience. Clearcover leverages advanced technology to streamline the insurance process, minimizing costs by avoiding expensive advertising, which allows them to offer better coverage at lower rates. The company's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has garnered recognition, including accolades from Glassdoor and Inc. Magazine for its workplace culture.

Catalytic

Series A in 2016
Catalytic Inc. operates a cloud-based automation platform designed to streamline data processing tasks for businesses. Founded in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Naperville, the company provides a solution that enables users to build an intelligent automation layer for processing data, documents, emails, and other systems. The platform allows for the automation of various tasks, including document generation, trigger responses, and data collection, while facilitating integration with existing systems through APIs and SFTP. Catalytic empowers business users to create process-driven solutions tailored to their needs, enhancing efficiency and productivity across organizations. Clients such as Bosch, Dentsu Aegis Network, and UL have leveraged Catalytic's capabilities to improve their operational efficiency, deliver better customer experiences, and increase profitability.

HighGround

Series A in 2016
HighGround, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that provides an online platform designed to enhance employee engagement and performance within organizations. The platform allows employees to actively participate in recognizing their peers, providing feedback, and guiding their own career development. By transforming traditional performance reviews into ongoing coaching sessions, HighGround enables organizations to capture employee insights and foster a more engaged workforce. This approach helps companies improve employee retention, productivity, and overall customer satisfaction. Notable clients of HighGround include Cision, Patagonia, Echo Global Logistics, and Allianz, which leverage the platform to cultivate high-performing workplace cultures and drive positive business outcomes. As of July 2018, HighGround operates as a subsidiary of YouEarnedIt, Inc.

Catalytic

Seed Round in 2016
Catalytic Inc. operates a cloud-based automation platform designed to streamline data processing tasks for businesses. Founded in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Naperville, the company provides a solution that enables users to build an intelligent automation layer for processing data, documents, emails, and other systems. The platform allows for the automation of various tasks, including document generation, trigger responses, and data collection, while facilitating integration with existing systems through APIs and SFTP. Catalytic empowers business users to create process-driven solutions tailored to their needs, enhancing efficiency and productivity across organizations. Clients such as Bosch, Dentsu Aegis Network, and UL have leveraged Catalytic's capabilities to improve their operational efficiency, deliver better customer experiences, and increase profitability.

Uptake

Series B in 2015
Uptake Technologies, Inc. is a technology company that specializes in developing a predictive analytics platform designed to enhance operational efficiency across various industries, including healthcare, insurance, locomotives, construction, and manufacturing. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Uptake's platform analyzes sensor data to predict and prevent equipment failures, identify hidden profit opportunities, and uncover new growth avenues. By transforming data into actionable insights, the platform facilitates equipment monitoring, diagnostic troubleshooting, event and condition prediction, and task management, ultimately improving uptime and streamlining operations for its clients.

Zest Health App

Series A in 2015
Zest Health, LLC is a mobile healthcare solution provider based in Chicago, Illinois, incorporated in 2013. The company develops a comprehensive app that empowers users to navigate the healthcare system more effectively. Its platform includes features such as Talk to Me, which provides immediate access to medical experts; Schedule Me, for booking appointments; Inform Me, offering health information similar to WebMD; and Track Me, which stores electronic health records. Zest Health aims to help users make informed healthcare decisions by guiding them in selecting in-network providers, understanding service costs, managing appointments, and addressing claims and billing issues. Serving over 500,000 healthcare consumers, Zest partners with self-insured employers, third-party administrators, insurance brokers, and health plans to enhance access to healthcare resources and support preventative care and disease management programs.

Tagkast

Series A in 2014
Tagkast Inc. is a photo marketing platform that enables event marketers to engage with guests and enhance brand visibility through social media. Founded in 2009 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company transforms consumer photos taken at live events into advertising by adding display overlays and sharing them across social networks. Its platform offers a comprehensive suite of features, including social media photo booths, lead capture, contest hosting, and analytics portals, providing users with a complete solution for photo marketing. Tagkast aims to facilitate the creation and distribution of brand content, helping to maximize the impact of live events and retail activations.

SpotHero

Series A in 2014
SpotHero Inc. is a leading provider of parking reservation services in North America, enabling drivers to easily locate and secure parking spots through its mobile application and website. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Detroit and operations in Toronto, the company allows users to compare prices and reserve discounted parking in garages and lots. The SpotHero application connects various parking facilities, including garages and valet services, facilitating seamless data exchange and payment processing. By streamlining the parking experience, SpotHero aims to make urban areas more accessible and enhance connectivity for drivers.

Hireology

Series A in 2014
Hireology, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that offers a web-based hiring management software platform designed to help businesses source, engage, and hire top talent. Founded in 2009, it provides an all-in-one solution that streamlines the hiring process by integrating features such as a fully-hosted career site, job postings, pre-hire assessments, and background checks. The platform is particularly tailored for decentralized organizations, including franchise systems, banks, healthcare systems, and dealer networks. By leveraging data on high-performing employees, Hireology's Selection Manager enables organizations to make better hiring decisions, reduce turnover, and enhance productivity across multiple locations. Its comprehensive approach also includes managing employee onboarding, payroll, and benefits, making it a valuable resource for businesses aiming to build effective teams.

Hatch Loyalty

Series B in 2013
Hatch Loyalty Inc. is a provider of a loyalty and rewards platform aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to create customized loyalty programs and execute effective marketing campaigns. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hatch offers a suite of tools, including HatchHQ, HatchIQ, and HatchHUB, designed to enhance customer engagement and foster meaningful relationships. The platform also features the industry-leading solution, Belly, which provides off-the-shelf marketing capabilities for businesses. Hatch Loyalty focuses on making customer insights actionable, allowing retailers to tailor experiences and drive loyalty through data-driven decision-making. Previously known as Belly Inc., the company rebranded in September 2017 and operates as a subsidiary of Stuzo Inc.

Pawngo

Venture Round in 2013
Pawngo is a licensed pawnbroker with co-headquarters in Denver and Chicago, where it operates under the auspices of Lightbank. The company specializes in providing an alternative financing platform that offers secured loans in exchange for luxury assets. This service allows individuals and businesses to obtain cash quickly and conveniently by using their valuable items as collateral. With a focus on privacy and efficiency, Pawngo ensures compliance with state-mandated pawnbroker statutes, facilitating a seamless process for clients looking to access funds against their luxury possessions.

Zest Health App

Seed Round in 2013
Zest Health, LLC is a mobile healthcare solution provider based in Chicago, Illinois, incorporated in 2013. The company develops a comprehensive app that empowers users to navigate the healthcare system more effectively. Its platform includes features such as Talk to Me, which provides immediate access to medical experts; Schedule Me, for booking appointments; Inform Me, offering health information similar to WebMD; and Track Me, which stores electronic health records. Zest Health aims to help users make informed healthcare decisions by guiding them in selecting in-network providers, understanding service costs, managing appointments, and addressing claims and billing issues. Serving over 500,000 healthcare consumers, Zest partners with self-insured employers, third-party administrators, insurance brokers, and health plans to enhance access to healthcare resources and support preventative care and disease management programs.

Soundsupply

Seed Round in 2013
Soundsupply, Inc. is a music deal and discovery platform that focuses on selling curated digital music bundles. Established in 2012 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company offers a selection of new music albums, providing an accessible way for users to discover and purchase music. Soundsupply aims to enhance the music listening experience through its carefully curated offerings.

SpotHero

Venture Round in 2012
SpotHero Inc. is a leading provider of parking reservation services in North America, enabling drivers to easily locate and secure parking spots through its mobile application and website. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Detroit and operations in Toronto, the company allows users to compare prices and reserve discounted parking in garages and lots. The SpotHero application connects various parking facilities, including garages and valet services, facilitating seamless data exchange and payment processing. By streamlining the parking experience, SpotHero aims to make urban areas more accessible and enhance connectivity for drivers.

Dough

Series A in 2012
Dough LLC is an online brokerage firm based in Chicago, Illinois, that aims to transform wealth creation for retail investors. Formerly known as Peak6 Markets LLC, the company rebranded in October 2018 and operates as a subsidiary of tastytrade, Inc. Dough offers commission-free stock trading with no account minimums, making it accessible to a broader audience. The firm provides a user-friendly experience through its mobile applications for iOS and Android, integrating educational resources and real-world insights to help clients make informed investment decisions. It is licensed to provide brokerage services across all 50 states and three jurisdictions, allowing customers to trade stocks and ETFs listed on U.S. exchanges. Dough's mission is to demystify risk in investing and foster a more informed and engaged investor community.

HighGround

Seed Round in 2012
HighGround, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that provides an online platform designed to enhance employee engagement and performance within organizations. The platform allows employees to actively participate in recognizing their peers, providing feedback, and guiding their own career development. By transforming traditional performance reviews into ongoing coaching sessions, HighGround enables organizations to capture employee insights and foster a more engaged workforce. This approach helps companies improve employee retention, productivity, and overall customer satisfaction. Notable clients of HighGround include Cision, Patagonia, Echo Global Logistics, and Allianz, which leverage the platform to cultivate high-performing workplace cultures and drive positive business outcomes. As of July 2018, HighGround operates as a subsidiary of YouEarnedIt, Inc.

Pawngo

Venture Round in 2012
Pawngo is a licensed pawnbroker with co-headquarters in Denver and Chicago, where it operates under the auspices of Lightbank. The company specializes in providing an alternative financing platform that offers secured loans in exchange for luxury assets. This service allows individuals and businesses to obtain cash quickly and conveniently by using their valuable items as collateral. With a focus on privacy and efficiency, Pawngo ensures compliance with state-mandated pawnbroker statutes, facilitating a seamless process for clients looking to access funds against their luxury possessions.

EventUp

Seed Round in 2012
Eventup, Inc. operates an online marketplace that facilitates the booking of diverse event venues across the United States. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the platform features a wide range of locations, including homes, apartments, lofts, hotels, galleries, and unique spaces suitable for various events such as weddings, corporate gatherings, and parties. By connecting property owners directly with clients, Eventup simplifies the venue selection process, allowing users to discover and book locations quickly and efficiently. Its comprehensive approach addresses the challenges of a fragmented market, enabling venue operators to monetize underutilized spaces while providing customers access to distinctive and previously hard-to-find venues. The company's operations extend to major cities including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, and it functions as a subsidiary of Gather Technologies, Inc.

Neighborhoods

Seed Round in 2012
Neighborhoods is an online platform that brings communities together to share, recommend, and discuss everything around them. It helps users find quotes for local services and products. Neighborhoods was launched in January 2012 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Pawngo

Venture Round in 2012
Pawngo is a licensed pawnbroker with co-headquarters in Denver and Chicago, where it operates under the auspices of Lightbank. The company specializes in providing an alternative financing platform that offers secured loans in exchange for luxury assets. This service allows individuals and businesses to obtain cash quickly and conveniently by using their valuable items as collateral. With a focus on privacy and efficiency, Pawngo ensures compliance with state-mandated pawnbroker statutes, facilitating a seamless process for clients looking to access funds against their luxury possessions.

DraftDay

Seed Round in 2012
DraftDay, Inc. is a daily fantasy sports platform based in Chicago, Illinois, that provides users with the opportunity to engage in real money games across various sports, including football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. Established in 2011, DraftDay allows participants to draft players daily to form their fantasy teams, competing for cash prizes. Players can enter multiple games in a single day, with buy-ins ranging from free to $500, and can choose to play in head-to-head or multiplayer formats. The platform operates in compliance with U.S. and Canadian regulations, exempt from the 2006 UIGEA, and follows the same rules as traditional season-long fantasy leagues. DraftDay’s team draws on prior experience from successful ventures in online education and software development.

Hatch Loyalty

Series A in 2012
Hatch Loyalty Inc. is a provider of a loyalty and rewards platform aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to create customized loyalty programs and execute effective marketing campaigns. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hatch offers a suite of tools, including HatchHQ, HatchIQ, and HatchHUB, designed to enhance customer engagement and foster meaningful relationships. The platform also features the industry-leading solution, Belly, which provides off-the-shelf marketing capabilities for businesses. Hatch Loyalty focuses on making customer insights actionable, allowing retailers to tailor experiences and drive loyalty through data-driven decision-making. Previously known as Belly Inc., the company rebranded in September 2017 and operates as a subsidiary of Stuzo Inc.

Pawngo

Seed Round in 2011
Pawngo is a licensed pawnbroker with co-headquarters in Denver and Chicago, where it operates under the auspices of Lightbank. The company specializes in providing an alternative financing platform that offers secured loans in exchange for luxury assets. This service allows individuals and businesses to obtain cash quickly and conveniently by using their valuable items as collateral. With a focus on privacy and efficiency, Pawngo ensures compliance with state-mandated pawnbroker statutes, facilitating a seamless process for clients looking to access funds against their luxury possessions.

Pawngo

Venture Round in 2011
Pawngo is a licensed pawnbroker with co-headquarters in Denver and Chicago, where it operates under the auspices of Lightbank. The company specializes in providing an alternative financing platform that offers secured loans in exchange for luxury assets. This service allows individuals and businesses to obtain cash quickly and conveniently by using their valuable items as collateral. With a focus on privacy and efficiency, Pawngo ensures compliance with state-mandated pawnbroker statutes, facilitating a seamless process for clients looking to access funds against their luxury possessions.

Hatch Loyalty

Seed Round in 2011
Hatch Loyalty Inc. is a provider of a loyalty and rewards platform aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to create customized loyalty programs and execute effective marketing campaigns. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hatch offers a suite of tools, including HatchHQ, HatchIQ, and HatchHUB, designed to enhance customer engagement and foster meaningful relationships. The platform also features the industry-leading solution, Belly, which provides off-the-shelf marketing capabilities for businesses. Hatch Loyalty focuses on making customer insights actionable, allowing retailers to tailor experiences and drive loyalty through data-driven decision-making. Previously known as Belly Inc., the company rebranded in September 2017 and operates as a subsidiary of Stuzo Inc.

Pawngo

Venture Round in 2011
Pawngo is a licensed pawnbroker with co-headquarters in Denver and Chicago, where it operates under the auspices of Lightbank. The company specializes in providing an alternative financing platform that offers secured loans in exchange for luxury assets. This service allows individuals and businesses to obtain cash quickly and conveniently by using their valuable items as collateral. With a focus on privacy and efficiency, Pawngo ensures compliance with state-mandated pawnbroker statutes, facilitating a seamless process for clients looking to access funds against their luxury possessions.

Tagkast

Venture Round in 2011
Tagkast Inc. is a photo marketing platform that enables event marketers to engage with guests and enhance brand visibility through social media. Founded in 2009 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company transforms consumer photos taken at live events into advertising by adding display overlays and sharing them across social networks. Its platform offers a comprehensive suite of features, including social media photo booths, lead capture, contest hosting, and analytics portals, providing users with a complete solution for photo marketing. Tagkast aims to facilitate the creation and distribution of brand content, helping to maximize the impact of live events and retail activations.

Pawngo

Venture Round in 2011
Pawngo is a licensed pawnbroker with co-headquarters in Denver and Chicago, where it operates under the auspices of Lightbank. The company specializes in providing an alternative financing platform that offers secured loans in exchange for luxury assets. This service allows individuals and businesses to obtain cash quickly and conveniently by using their valuable items as collateral. With a focus on privacy and efficiency, Pawngo ensures compliance with state-mandated pawnbroker statutes, facilitating a seamless process for clients looking to access funds against their luxury possessions.

Tagkast

Venture Round in 2010
Tagkast Inc. is a photo marketing platform that enables event marketers to engage with guests and enhance brand visibility through social media. Founded in 2009 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company transforms consumer photos taken at live events into advertising by adding display overlays and sharing them across social networks. Its platform offers a comprehensive suite of features, including social media photo booths, lead capture, contest hosting, and analytics portals, providing users with a complete solution for photo marketing. Tagkast aims to facilitate the creation and distribution of brand content, helping to maximize the impact of live events and retail activations.
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