M25

M25 is a Chicago-based venture capital firm established in 2015 by Victor Gutwein and Mike Asem, focused on funding pre-seed and seed-stage technology startups in the Midwest. The firm supports portfolio companies across multiple industries, with a regional footprint spanning 24 Midwest cities in 11 states. Since its inception, M25 has backed more than 90 early-stage tech startups, aiming to accelerate growth and strengthen the Midwest startup ecosystem.

Mike Asem

Partner

Leandro Bedolla

Analyst

Katie Birge

Vice President Platform

Victor Gutwein

Managing Partner

Abhinaya Konduru

Senior Associate

Past deals in Illinois

APFusion

Seed Round in 2022
APFusion is a B2B marketplace facilitating transactions between automotive salvage yards. It enables yards to increase sales by connecting them with vendors, who upload millions of dollars worth of inventory onto the platform. Established in Champaign, Illinois in 2018.

APFusion

Pre Seed Round in 2021
APFusion is a B2B marketplace facilitating transactions between automotive salvage yards. It enables yards to increase sales by connecting them with vendors, who upload millions of dollars worth of inventory onto the platform. Established in Champaign, Illinois in 2018.

Rheaply

Series A in 2021
Founded in 2016, Rheaply operates a cloud-based platform facilitating the exchange of resources among organizations. It connects Fortune 500 companies, startups, schools, and nonprofits to buy, sell, trade, donate, or rent assets, promoting waste reduction and circular economy.

CASHDROP

Seed Round in 2020
CASHDROP is a mobile commerce platform designed for mobile-native entrepreneurs, enabling them to establish an online storefront in under 15 minutes using their phones. The platform allows businesses to conduct contactless sales of food, retail products, services, and ticketed events without incurring any commissions or monthly fees. Founded by Ruben Flores-Martinez in January 2020, CASHDROP is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company aims to streamline the selling process for entrepreneurs across various industries, positioning itself as a user-friendly solution for fast and efficient mobile commerce.

Rheaply

Seed Round in 2020
Founded in 2016, Rheaply operates a cloud-based platform facilitating the exchange of resources among organizations. It connects Fortune 500 companies, startups, schools, and nonprofits to buy, sell, trade, donate, or rent assets, promoting waste reduction and circular economy.

Convr

Series B in 2019
Convr develops and operates an AI-powered underwriting data platform for commercial insurance. The platform ingests data from multiple internal and external sources, provides a universal data catalog along with data management and security tools, and applies AI to support data discovery, risk assessment, and decision making. It supports all core commercial lines and is accessible via a desktop interface and APIs. The d3 module suite includes d3 Intake to digitize submissions, d3 Risk 360 for risk insights, d3 Answers to answer underwriting questions, and d3 Risk Score to prioritize risks, enabling faster, more accurate underwriting and improved efficiency. The company serves major commercial carriers and aims to reduce manual data entry and research time while increasing straight-through processing. Founded in 2015 and based in Schaumburg, Illinois, it was formerly DataCubes and renamed Convr in 2020.

Rentgrata

Seed Round in 2019
Rentgrata is a platform that connects prospective renters with current residents of apartment communities through messaging, facilitating real conversations and feedback to help multifamily professionals understand renter needs. It enables resident referrals and provides anonymized feedback, with the aim of reducing resident turnover and increasing net operating income. The platform supports leasing teams with day-to-day operations and helps residents participate in referrals, fostering a sense of community within properties. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Chicago.

The Minte

Convertible Note in 2019
The Minte is a Chicago-based company that provides hotel-style housekeeping services primarily for residents of high-rise apartment buildings. Established in 2017, the company employs a building-centric model for staffing housekeepers, ensuring consistent and trusted cleaning services. The Minte's offerings include a range of cleaning tasks, such as floor sweeping, countertop wiping, dishwashing assistance, decluttering, and comprehensive bathroom refreshing. Its services can be conveniently booked through a mobile app or by utilizing a dash-like button located at the apartment entrance, allowing residents to maintain a professionally clean living space akin to that of a hotel room.

86 Repairs

Seed Round in 2019
86 Repairs is a computer software company that offers a subscription-based platform designed to streamline the repair and maintenance processes for restaurant groups. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company provides comprehensive management of equipment repairs, including for ice machines, dishwashers, and ovens. Its services feature 24/7 support from a team of experts and deliver actionable insights aimed at enhancing back-of-house operations. By handling the entire service process, 86 Repairs allows restaurant owners to alleviate the burdens of equipment maintenance, enabling them to concentrate on providing quality service to their guests.

AMOpportunities

Series A in 2019
Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, AMOpportunities connects international medical students with clinical training opportunities in the U.S. Through its platform, it offers access to over 200 clinical sites across 70+ specialties, providing visa assistance and housing support.

Pearachute

Venture Round in 2019
Pearachute is a monthly membership service designed to help families engage in meaningful activities with their children. By connecting parents with a variety of kids' classes and activity centers, such as swimming, music, and sports, Pearachute offers flexibility in scheduling and diverse options tailored to family needs. This platform enables parents to easily discover and book classes that align with their routines, fostering exploration and enjoyment for children in a convenient manner.

rMark Bio

Seed Round in 2019
rMark Bio, Inc. is a software company based in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in artificial intelligence solutions tailored for the life sciences sector. Founded in 2012, the company focuses on enhancing collaboration and innovation among pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and medical device firms. Its flagship platform, Fabric, integrates real-time business objectives with ongoing research activities, enabling organizations to streamline decision-making processes and optimize engagement strategies. By leveraging analytics, rMark Bio aims to reduce inefficiencies and improve return on investment in thought leader engagements, ultimately facilitating better partnerships and scientific discovery across the healthcare landscape.

Convr

Convertible Note in 2018
Convr develops and operates an AI-powered underwriting data platform for commercial insurance. The platform ingests data from multiple internal and external sources, provides a universal data catalog along with data management and security tools, and applies AI to support data discovery, risk assessment, and decision making. It supports all core commercial lines and is accessible via a desktop interface and APIs. The d3 module suite includes d3 Intake to digitize submissions, d3 Risk 360 for risk insights, d3 Answers to answer underwriting questions, and d3 Risk Score to prioritize risks, enabling faster, more accurate underwriting and improved efficiency. The company serves major commercial carriers and aims to reduce manual data entry and research time while increasing straight-through processing. Founded in 2015 and based in Schaumburg, Illinois, it was formerly DataCubes and renamed Convr in 2020.

OpenFinance

Venture Round in 2018
Openfinance Technologies, LLC, based in Chicago, Illinois, operates an online trading and settlement platform focused on the secondary market for non-listed alternative investments. The company specializes in facilitating transactions for private and public real estate programs, as well as other classes of alternative investment programs. Additionally, Openfinance provides a blockchain-based protocol that enables the trading, clearing, and settlement of security tokens and alternative assets. Established in 2014, the firm aims to enhance access to liquidity and investment opportunities within the substantial alternative asset market, which is valued at approximately $8.8 trillion. Through its innovative digital platform, Openfinance seeks to streamline the trading process and improve security for alternative asset transactions.

The Minte

Seed Round in 2018
The Minte is a Chicago-based company that provides hotel-style housekeeping services primarily for residents of high-rise apartment buildings. Established in 2017, the company employs a building-centric model for staffing housekeepers, ensuring consistent and trusted cleaning services. The Minte's offerings include a range of cleaning tasks, such as floor sweeping, countertop wiping, dishwashing assistance, decluttering, and comprehensive bathroom refreshing. Its services can be conveniently booked through a mobile app or by utilizing a dash-like button located at the apartment entrance, allowing residents to maintain a professionally clean living space akin to that of a hotel room.

Winston Privacy

Seed Round in 2018
Winston Privacy, Inc. is a technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2017. It specializes in providing consumers with comprehensive online privacy and data protection solutions designed to safeguard against hacking, corporate spying, and unwarranted government surveillance. Winston's flagship product is a hardware device that utilizes proprietary anti-tracking technology, offering a simple plug-and-play installation that protects all connected devices, including computers, tablets, phones, and smart devices. The device operates in conjunction with a home router, ensuring users can enjoy a safer browsing experience while blocking ads and enhancing internet speed, making online privacy accessible for everyone.

BallotReady

Seed Round in 2018
BallotReady is an online, non-partisan voter guide for local elections that aggregates content from candidate websites, League of Women Voters questionnaires, news articles, campaign finance records, and legislative roll calls to provide nonpartisan background information on every candidate and referendum on a voter's ballot. The platform enables users to compare all candidates on their ballot, obtain essential information needed in the voting booth, and save selected candidates to a mobile device for offline review. It supports civic engagement by offering data services and digital tools that help voters understand their entire ballot and make informed choices.

Kin Insurance

Series A in 2018
Kin Insurance, Inc. is a digital insurance agency that specializes in homeowners insurance and related products. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in St. Petersburg, Florida, the company aims to enhance the convenience and affordability of insurance by operating directly with consumers, eliminating the need for external agents. Kin Insurance offers a variety of products, including homeowners, mobile home, condo, flood, and landlord insurance, among others. The company leverages extensive property data to ensure precise pricing and improve underwriting outcomes, providing personalized coverage options and efficient claims services through its technology-driven platform.

The Minte

Seed Round in 2018
The Minte is a Chicago-based company that provides hotel-style housekeeping services primarily for residents of high-rise apartment buildings. Established in 2017, the company employs a building-centric model for staffing housekeepers, ensuring consistent and trusted cleaning services. The Minte's offerings include a range of cleaning tasks, such as floor sweeping, countertop wiping, dishwashing assistance, decluttering, and comprehensive bathroom refreshing. Its services can be conveniently booked through a mobile app or by utilizing a dash-like button located at the apartment entrance, allowing residents to maintain a professionally clean living space akin to that of a hotel room.

AMOpportunities

Seed Round in 2017
Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, AMOpportunities connects international medical students with clinical training opportunities in the U.S. Through its platform, it offers access to over 200 clinical sites across 70+ specialties, providing visa assistance and housing support.

Convr

Series A in 2017
Convr develops and operates an AI-powered underwriting data platform for commercial insurance. The platform ingests data from multiple internal and external sources, provides a universal data catalog along with data management and security tools, and applies AI to support data discovery, risk assessment, and decision making. It supports all core commercial lines and is accessible via a desktop interface and APIs. The d3 module suite includes d3 Intake to digitize submissions, d3 Risk 360 for risk insights, d3 Answers to answer underwriting questions, and d3 Risk Score to prioritize risks, enabling faster, more accurate underwriting and improved efficiency. The company serves major commercial carriers and aims to reduce manual data entry and research time while increasing straight-through processing. Founded in 2015 and based in Schaumburg, Illinois, it was formerly DataCubes and renamed Convr in 2020.

ExplORer Surgical

Series A in 2017
ExplORer Surgical Corp. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in developing an interactive surgical playbook aimed at enhancing teamwork and efficiency in operating rooms. Founded in 2013, the company offers a software solution that allows healthcare providers to optimize surgical workflows, customize processes based on patient needs and surgeon preferences, and track case progression in real time. This tool facilitates improved communication among surgical teams, enabling them to coordinate activities and manage tools and supplies effectively, ultimately reducing disruptions and waste. Additionally, ExplORer Surgical provides administrators with valuable performance and scheduling data to enhance the quality of care. The company's innovative approach not only supports surgical teams but also assists medical device companies in the efficient rollout of new devices and improves medical education.

Kin Insurance

Seed Round in 2017
Kin Insurance, Inc. is a digital insurance agency that specializes in homeowners insurance and related products. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in St. Petersburg, Florida, the company aims to enhance the convenience and affordability of insurance by operating directly with consumers, eliminating the need for external agents. Kin Insurance offers a variety of products, including homeowners, mobile home, condo, flood, and landlord insurance, among others. The company leverages extensive property data to ensure precise pricing and improve underwriting outcomes, providing personalized coverage options and efficient claims services through its technology-driven platform.

Avail

Seed Round in 2017
Avail is an online platform designed to assist independent landlords and property managers in managing rental properties. Founded in 2012 and based in Chicago, Illinois, Avail provides a comprehensive suite of tools that simplifies the rental process. Its offerings include rental listings, tenant screening, customized leases, online rent payments, maintenance tracking, and rent price analysis. The platform caters specifically to landlords with fewer than 10 units, filling a gap in the market for accessible online management tools. With its user-friendly interface, Avail allows landlords to efficiently advertise vacant units, process rental applications, conduct credit checks, and handle lease agreements digitally. As of now, Avail serves approximately 70,000 landlords, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced property managers seeking to enhance their operations. Since December 2020, Avail has operated as a subsidiary of Move, Inc.

Petronics

Seed Round in 2017
Petronics is a company that develops robotic pets specifically designed for cats. Founded in 2014 and based in Champaign, Illinois, it offers a flagship product called Mousr, a robotic toy that features 360-degree vision, environmental sensing, and Bluetooth connectivity. These innovative products aim to engage indoor cats in play that mimics hunting behavior, promoting physical activity and helping to reduce obesity in pets. Through its advanced technology, Petronics seeks to enhance the interaction between cats and their owners while providing a stimulating environment for feline companions.

BallotReady

Seed Round in 2017
BallotReady is an online, non-partisan voter guide for local elections that aggregates content from candidate websites, League of Women Voters questionnaires, news articles, campaign finance records, and legislative roll calls to provide nonpartisan background information on every candidate and referendum on a voter's ballot. The platform enables users to compare all candidates on their ballot, obtain essential information needed in the voting booth, and save selected candidates to a mobile device for offline review. It supports civic engagement by offering data services and digital tools that help voters understand their entire ballot and make informed choices.

PrintWithMe

Seed Round in 2016
PrintWithMe is a pioneering business that offers a convenient and accessible printing solution through its extensive network of wireless printer kiosks across the United States. Established in 2014, the company operates in all 50 states, placing printers in locations such as multifamily apartments, coffee shops, hotels, and co-working spaces. Users can print securely and easily from any digital device with just a few clicks, benefiting from automated paper and toner management facilitated by predictive analytics. PrintWithMe has enabled over 20 million pages to be printed on sustainably-sourced paper, promoting community resource sharing and reducing electronic waste by an average of 550 pounds per location each year. Through its services, PrintWithMe caters to the increasing demand for remote and hybrid workspaces, allowing customers to print and pay quickly and efficiently.

Rewards21

Series A in 2016
Rewards21, Inc. is a rewards program provider that specializes in offering cash back and reward points for dining at various restaurants. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, the company employs a card-linked technology platform that allows registered users to earn rewards by using their credit or debit cards at participating establishments. In addition to dining rewards, the platform also facilitates cash back and points for hotel, airline, and rental car services. By partnering with credit card companies, Rewards21 enhances the user experience, making it convenient for customers to accumulate points that can be redeemed for cash credits directly to their cards.

Realync

Seed Round in 2016
Realync Corp. is a technology company that offers a cloud-based video platform designed for the real estate industry. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, with an additional office in Chicago, the company facilitates live virtual property tours, allowing agents and consumers to connect in real-time. Realync's platform enables users to conduct interactive tours and open houses using smartphones or tablets, as well as to share high-definition pre-recorded videos for potential buyers and renters. By leveraging this technology, Realync enhances the property viewing experience, making it more accessible and engaging for clients and agents alike.

ExplORer Surgical

Seed Round in 2016
ExplORer Surgical Corp. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in developing an interactive surgical playbook aimed at enhancing teamwork and efficiency in operating rooms. Founded in 2013, the company offers a software solution that allows healthcare providers to optimize surgical workflows, customize processes based on patient needs and surgeon preferences, and track case progression in real time. This tool facilitates improved communication among surgical teams, enabling them to coordinate activities and manage tools and supplies effectively, ultimately reducing disruptions and waste. Additionally, ExplORer Surgical provides administrators with valuable performance and scheduling data to enhance the quality of care. The company's innovative approach not only supports surgical teams but also assists medical device companies in the efficient rollout of new devices and improves medical education.

Luna Lights

Seed Round in 2016
Luna Lights, Inc. is a Chicago-based company that specializes in developing innovative solutions to enhance night-time safety for senior citizens and reduce fall risks. The company’s primary product features an ultra-thin pressure sensor integrated with a monitoring system and portable lights. When a user gets out of bed, the sensor activates small, wireless lights throughout the home, providing guidance to help prevent falls. Once the user returns to bed, the lights automatically turn off. Additionally, Luna Lights' system collects data on the frequency and duration of night-time movements, allowing caregivers to receive notifications if an older adult remains out of bed for an extended period. This functionality enables caregivers to track trends in nighttime activity and identify individuals who may be at higher risk for falls, thereby fostering a safer living environment for seniors. Luna Lights operates as a subsidiary of Sentrics.

Page Vault

Series A in 2016
Page Vault Inc. is a Chicago-based company that provides a software solution designed for legal professionals to capture web content, including social media, corporate websites, and blog posts, in a forensically defensible and legally admissible manner. Founded in 2013, Page Vault offers a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service platform that allows users to archive web pages as they appear online, preserving essential metadata and generating easy-to-print PDF documents. Its solution is particularly beneficial for those working in intellectual property, family law, insurance defense, general litigation, and website compliance. The company serves a diverse clientele, including law firms, government offices, corporate general counsels, insurance providers, legal consulting companies, solo practitioners, eDiscovery firms, and non-profit organizations.

ConceptDrop

Seed Round in 2016
ConceptDrop, Inc. is an online marketplace that connects businesses with a community of professional graphic designers, offering a design on-demand service. The platform enables companies to obtain various design materials, including PowerPoint presentations, infographics, flyers, brochures, logos, and more, while also providing copywriting services. By joining ConceptDrop's community, designers can earn income, collaborate with corporations, and enhance their portfolios. The company, which was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Chicago, Illinois, was previously known as Quick2LAUNCH LLC before rebranding in January 2015. Additionally, ConceptDrop leverages artificial intelligence to assist enterprises in sourcing freelancers and constructing internal teams.

The Eastman Egg Company

Series A in 2016
The Eastman Egg Company, LLC is a fast casual restaurant based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2013. The company specializes in providing healthy breakfast and lunch options, featuring a menu that includes made-to-order egg sandwiches, bowls, homemade yogurt parfaits, and a selection of coffee and espresso beverages sourced from Irving Farm. In addition to its in-house dining, the company offers catering services for a variety of events, such as corporate meetings, brunches, and weddings. With a focus on using high-quality, well-curated ingredients, The Eastman Egg Company aims to enhance the morning experience for busy individuals in the Chicago area.

Block Six Analytics

Seed Round in 2016
Block Six Analytics LLC is a Chicago-based company that specializes in providing an analytics-driven platform for the sports industry, focusing on enhancing the value of sponsorships. Founded in 2010, the company offers a suite of web-based applications designed to help sports organizations manage various activities, including sponsorship, media, ticketing, and event operations. Its flagship product, the Partnership Scoreboard, utilizes proprietary valuation models to quantify sponsorship value and identify new engagement opportunities for corporate partners. Through its platform, Block Six Analytics enables clients, such as sports properties, brands, agencies, and athletes, to maximize their return on investment in sports sponsorships by offering real-time analytics and insights across multiple advertising channels.

Sentic Technologies

Seed Round in 2015
Sentic Technologies, established in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in data-driven marketing solutions. The company develops AI and machine learning-powered software that interprets real-time social signals and external data to optimize online advertising campaigns, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve sales revenue. Their key products include Sentic Optimized AdWords, Sentic Crowd Search, and Sentic Predict Prevent, which help businesses make data-driven decisions and prevent unwanted events.

Glidera

Seed Round in 2015
Glidera Inc. is a company that specializes in providing a platform for buying and selling bitcoins through an online wallet. Founded in 2013 and based in Elmhurst, Illinois, Glidera enhances digital currency wallets by enabling applications to integrate bitcoin trading services seamlessly. The company's flexible API allows developers to incorporate these functionalities into their products, while Glidera manages compliance, banking, liquidity, and fraud issues. Notably, Glidera differentiates itself from other conversion services by never holding customer funds, as it is designed to work exclusively with user-controlled wallets. In December 2016, Glidera became a subsidiary of Payward, Inc.
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