Listen Ventures

Black Buffalo Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in producing tobacco-free nicotine alternatives that replicate the experience of traditional smokeless tobacco products. The company has invested over 20,000 hours in research and development to create products that deliver the same taste, texture, and nicotine content as conventional chewing tobacco, without using any tobacco leaf or stem. Black Buffalo's offerings are made with food-safe ingredients and pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, available in various flavors and two form factors, allowing users to enjoy the familiar experience of smokeless tobacco without the associated risks.

Rise Gardens LLC specializes in creating and marketing indoor hydroponic gardening systems that enable consumers to grow their own food year-round. The company offers a modular system that can accommodate various types of plants, including herbs, greens, vegetables, and flowers. Each system includes a physical appliance and The Rise Gardens application, which assists users in tracking plant growth and provides guidance on fertilization. By making home gardening more accessible and enjoyable, Rise Gardens aims to strengthen the connection between individuals and the food they consume. Founded in 2017 and based in Skokie, Illinois, the company previously operated under the name Harvest2O, LLC, and primarily sells its products online.

Mystery Tackle Box, a subsidiary of Catch Co., provides a monthly subscription service that delivers fishing products directly to anglers. Founded in 2012 and based in Chicago, Illinois, it connects users with an array of fishing supplies, including lures, jigs, spinner baits, terminal tackle, and accessories, tailored to various fishing specialties such as bass, panfish, and inshore saltwater. The subscription plans feature a variety of items packed into a "mystery box," allowing users to discover new products while also receiving additional resources like fishing magazines, stickers, and access to contests. In addition to the subscription service, Mystery Tackle Box also offers gift subscriptions, apparel, and specialty boxes available for purchase online.

Mystery Tackle Box, a subsidiary of Catch Co., provides a monthly subscription service that delivers fishing products directly to anglers. Founded in 2012 and based in Chicago, Illinois, it connects users with an array of fishing supplies, including lures, jigs, spinner baits, terminal tackle, and accessories, tailored to various fishing specialties such as bass, panfish, and inshore saltwater. The subscription plans feature a variety of items packed into a "mystery box," allowing users to discover new products while also receiving additional resources like fishing magazines, stickers, and access to contests. In addition to the subscription service, Mystery Tackle Box also offers gift subscriptions, apparel, and specialty boxes available for purchase online.

Factor is a subscription-based meal delivery service that specializes in providing fresh, ready-to-eat meals crafted by chefs and designed by nutritionists. The company focuses on health and wellness, offering a rotating menu that includes options such as keto, Paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, plant-based, and high-protein meals. These meals are fully prepared and can be quickly heated in a microwave or oven, making them convenient for consumers. Factor prioritizes the use of fresh ingredients sourced from trusted partners, ensuring that its meals are free from hormones, antibiotics, gluten, refined sugars, and GMOs. Founded in 2013 in Batavia, Illinois, Factor aims to deliver a balanced combination of nutrition and taste to enhance overall well-being.

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.

Here Holdings, LLC, based in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in producing cold-pressed juices, dips, and spreads using Midwest-grown produce. Their product range includes a variety of flavors such as pineapple, celery, and apple, as well as beet, apple, and ginger. Additionally, Here operates as a financial services company, offering resources and assistance to investors interested in holiday rental real estate, particularly profitable Airbnb investment opportunities. The company is committed to trust, transparency, and community in both its food and beverage production and financial services.

Interior Define Inc. is a furniture design and manufacturing company founded in 2013 and based in Chicago, Illinois. It specializes in offering a range of customizable furniture products, including sofas, chairs, beds, and dining pieces. The company employs a made-to-order production approach, allowing customers to personalize their furniture in various aspects such as size, fabric, configuration, and leg style. This model minimizes inventory costs, enabling Interior Define to provide high-quality custom furniture at accessible prices. Customers can explore their options online through a 360-degree viewing experience and order free fabric swatches. Additionally, the company offers an augmented reality app to visualize furniture in their homes. Interior Define also operates Guideshop locations in several major cities, where customers can experience the products firsthand and receive personalized consultations from expert staff. The company is known for its customer-centric services, including complimentary white glove delivery and a standard 365-day return policy, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Mystery Tackle Box, a subsidiary of Catch Co., provides a monthly subscription service that delivers fishing products directly to anglers. Founded in 2012 and based in Chicago, Illinois, it connects users with an array of fishing supplies, including lures, jigs, spinner baits, terminal tackle, and accessories, tailored to various fishing specialties such as bass, panfish, and inshore saltwater. The subscription plans feature a variety of items packed into a "mystery box," allowing users to discover new products while also receiving additional resources like fishing magazines, stickers, and access to contests. In addition to the subscription service, Mystery Tackle Box also offers gift subscriptions, apparel, and specialty boxes available for purchase online.

Mystery Tackle Box, a subsidiary of Catch Co., provides a monthly subscription service that delivers fishing products directly to anglers. Founded in 2012 and based in Chicago, Illinois, it connects users with an array of fishing supplies, including lures, jigs, spinner baits, terminal tackle, and accessories, tailored to various fishing specialties such as bass, panfish, and inshore saltwater. The subscription plans feature a variety of items packed into a "mystery box," allowing users to discover new products while also receiving additional resources like fishing magazines, stickers, and access to contests. In addition to the subscription service, Mystery Tackle Box also offers gift subscriptions, apparel, and specialty boxes available for purchase online.

Interior Define Inc. is a furniture design and manufacturing company founded in 2013 and based in Chicago, Illinois. It specializes in offering a range of customizable furniture products, including sofas, chairs, beds, and dining pieces. The company employs a made-to-order production approach, allowing customers to personalize their furniture in various aspects such as size, fabric, configuration, and leg style. This model minimizes inventory costs, enabling Interior Define to provide high-quality custom furniture at accessible prices. Customers can explore their options online through a 360-degree viewing experience and order free fabric swatches. Additionally, the company offers an augmented reality app to visualize furniture in their homes. Interior Define also operates Guideshop locations in several major cities, where customers can experience the products firsthand and receive personalized consultations from expert staff. The company is known for its customer-centric services, including complimentary white glove delivery and a standard 365-day return policy, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

BucketFeet, Inc., based in Chicago, Illinois, is a direct-to-consumer footwear brand that specializes in artist-designed shoes for men, women, and children. Founded in 2011, the company collaborates with a global community of artists to create unique, limited-edition sneakers, with each pair featuring a different artist's design. BucketFeet operates an online platform where customers can order shoes that are printed only after they are purchased, thus reducing unnecessary environmental waste associated with traditional manufacturing cycles. In addition to footwear, the company also offers apparel such as tees, hoodies, and socks. Through its innovative approach, BucketFeet aims to foster meaningful conversations and empower artists to share their stories through the medium of shoes, serving as a canvas for diverse artistic expression. As of late 2017, BucketFeet operates as a subsidiary of SkinnyCorp, LLC.

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.

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.

BucketFeet, Inc., based in Chicago, Illinois, is a direct-to-consumer footwear brand that specializes in artist-designed shoes for men, women, and children. Founded in 2011, the company collaborates with a global community of artists to create unique, limited-edition sneakers, with each pair featuring a different artist's design. BucketFeet operates an online platform where customers can order shoes that are printed only after they are purchased, thus reducing unnecessary environmental waste associated with traditional manufacturing cycles. In addition to footwear, the company also offers apparel such as tees, hoodies, and socks. Through its innovative approach, BucketFeet aims to foster meaningful conversations and empower artists to share their stories through the medium of shoes, serving as a canvas for diverse artistic expression. As of late 2017, BucketFeet operates as a subsidiary of SkinnyCorp, LLC.

Gesture, LLC operates an online mobile fundraising platform designed for charities, nonprofits, schools, churches, and political organizations. Established in 2011 and located in Westmont, Illinois, Gesture offers a range of services, including mobile bidding for silent auctions, guest management for ticket sales, and tools for direct donations. Its platform allows organizations to efficiently manage events with features such as expedited check-in and checkout, real-time dashboards for tracking user activity and revenue, and comprehensive post-event reporting. Gesture's technology enables clients to maximize revenue through various fundraising activities, including school auctions and charity events. With a focus on user-friendly, PCI-compliant solutions, Gesture's team of experts also provides support in organizing and executing successful fundraising initiatives.

Factor is a subscription-based meal delivery service that specializes in providing fresh, ready-to-eat meals crafted by chefs and designed by nutritionists. The company focuses on health and wellness, offering a rotating menu that includes options such as keto, Paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, plant-based, and high-protein meals. These meals are fully prepared and can be quickly heated in a microwave or oven, making them convenient for consumers. Factor prioritizes the use of fresh ingredients sourced from trusted partners, ensuring that its meals are free from hormones, antibiotics, gluten, refined sugars, and GMOs. Founded in 2013 in Batavia, Illinois, Factor aims to deliver a balanced combination of nutrition and taste to enhance overall well-being.

Spartz is an online platform that makes it easy to create and share content with others to make them learn, laugh, and feel inspired. Its network, including OMG Facts, GivesMeHope, and MuggleNet, attracts 17 million readers across dozens of websites, mobile platforms, and apps. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.