Venture Investors

Venture Investors is a Midwest-based venture capital firm that funds seed, early, and growth-stage startups and provides incubation financing. It concentrates on university technology transfer opportunities, particularly in the Midwest, and invests across healthcare, life sciences, agriculture, technology, clean tech, materials, energy, and hardware, including software and digital health. The firm backs companies licensed to research universities, including institutions such as the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and seeks opportunities with significant market potential and solid fundamentals. Seed investments typically range from 0.25 million to 2.5 million, with larger follow-ons possible, and the firm aims to lead rounds while also co-investing. It favors preferred equity and/or debt with warrant coverage and pursues exits through initial public offerings or sales after about five to seven years. Established in 1982, Venture Investors is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, with additional offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

James Adox

Executive Managing Director

Scott Button

Managing Director

Jenni Le

Principal

Jenni Le

Associate

John Neis

Managing Director

Paul Weiss

Managing Director

Paul Weiss Ph.D

Managing Director

Past deals in Michigan

Delphinus Medical Technologies

Series D in 2022
Delphinus Medical Technologies, Inc. is a medical imaging company based in Plymouth, Michigan, with an additional office in Sunnyvale, California. Founded in 2009, the company specializes in developing and commercializing innovative breast cancer screening solutions. Its flagship product, SoftVue, employs a unique circular array transducer technology that utilizes ultrasound to provide three-dimensional and tomographic imaging of the entire breast. This system is designed to differentiate between benign and malignant masses, assess breast cancer risks, and monitor treatment, all while ensuring a comfortable experience for patients without the use of radiation. Delphinus serves hospitals and imaging clinics both in the United States and internationally, aiming to improve early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.

SkySpecs

Series C in 2019
SkySpecs develops unmanned aerial vehicles and integrated software solutions for the wind energy sector, focusing on operations and maintenance. Its offerings include analytics, blade inspection services, engineering projects, and collaborative tools that aggregate and digitize data from multiple sources. The Horizon reporting platform and a central data repository streamline communication with third parties and enable full‑scale repair campaigns. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with an additional office in Amsterdam, Netherlands. SkySpecs aims to enhance productivity, efficiency, and returns for renewable energy assets by providing purpose‑built technologies that help customers make informed decisions.

SkySpecs

Series B in 2018
SkySpecs develops unmanned aerial vehicles and integrated software solutions for the wind energy sector, focusing on operations and maintenance. Its offerings include analytics, blade inspection services, engineering projects, and collaborative tools that aggregate and digitize data from multiple sources. The Horizon reporting platform and a central data repository streamline communication with third parties and enable full‑scale repair campaigns. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with an additional office in Amsterdam, Netherlands. SkySpecs aims to enhance productivity, efficiency, and returns for renewable energy assets by providing purpose‑built technologies that help customers make informed decisions.

SkySpecs

Series A in 2015
SkySpecs develops unmanned aerial vehicles and integrated software solutions for the wind energy sector, focusing on operations and maintenance. Its offerings include analytics, blade inspection services, engineering projects, and collaborative tools that aggregate and digitize data from multiple sources. The Horizon reporting platform and a central data repository streamline communication with third parties and enable full‑scale repair campaigns. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with an additional office in Amsterdam, Netherlands. SkySpecs aims to enhance productivity, efficiency, and returns for renewable energy assets by providing purpose‑built technologies that help customers make informed decisions.

Delphinus Medical Technologies

Series C in 2015
Delphinus Medical Technologies, Inc. is a medical imaging company based in Plymouth, Michigan, with an additional office in Sunnyvale, California. Founded in 2009, the company specializes in developing and commercializing innovative breast cancer screening solutions. Its flagship product, SoftVue, employs a unique circular array transducer technology that utilizes ultrasound to provide three-dimensional and tomographic imaging of the entire breast. This system is designed to differentiate between benign and malignant masses, assess breast cancer risks, and monitor treatment, all while ensuring a comfortable experience for patients without the use of radiation. Delphinus serves hospitals and imaging clinics both in the United States and internationally, aiming to improve early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.

NeuMoDx Molecular

Series B in 2014
NeuMoDx Molecular, Inc. is a molecular diagnostics company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that focuses on developing innovative solutions for molecular diagnostic testing in hospital and clinical reference laboratories. Established in 2012 and formerly known as Molecular Systems Corporation, NeuMoDx provides in-vitro testing tools designed to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of laboratory operations. The company's platform aims to increase the utilization of molecular diagnostics among medical providers, facilitating early disease identification and treatment. As of September 2020, NeuMoDx operates as a subsidiary of QIAGEN N.V.

UpTo

Series A in 2014
UpTo, Inc. is a developer of a social calendar application that enhances users' ability to manage and share events seamlessly. Founded in 2011 and based in Detroit, Michigan, UpTo offers a platform that allows organizations to publish their calendars and connect privately with friends, family, and colleagues. Users can follow various event streams, prioritize important events, and synchronize their calendars with popular services such as Google Calendar and Outlook. The application also enables users to add and manage events effortlessly, providing a clutter-free view of upcoming activities. With its focus on interactivity and customization, UpTo aims to simplify event sharing and accessibility for businesses and individuals alike.

Tissue Regeneration Systems

Series B in 2013
Tissue Regeneration Systems Inc. is a start-up medical device company focused on skeletal reconstruction and bone regeneration technologies. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, with an additional office in Kirkland, Washington, the company has licensed its innovative technology platform from the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin. This platform is designed for a variety of clinical applications, including craniomaxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, spine fusion surgery, and bone growth factor delivery. The company has conducted extensive research, including large animal studies that yielded promising long-term results. It has developed initial product offerings, completed necessary bench and animal testing, and submitted regulatory filings to the FDA. Upon receiving approvals, Tissue Regeneration Systems aims to commercialize its products in the United States and anticipates generating significant revenues within the next few years.

UpTo

Series A in 2013
UpTo, Inc. is a developer of a social calendar application that enhances users' ability to manage and share events seamlessly. Founded in 2011 and based in Detroit, Michigan, UpTo offers a platform that allows organizations to publish their calendars and connect privately with friends, family, and colleagues. Users can follow various event streams, prioritize important events, and synchronize their calendars with popular services such as Google Calendar and Outlook. The application also enables users to add and manage events effortlessly, providing a clutter-free view of upcoming activities. With its focus on interactivity and customization, UpTo aims to simplify event sharing and accessibility for businesses and individuals alike.

BlueWillow Biologics

Series C in 2012
BlueWillow Biologics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializing in the development of intranasal vaccines and anti-infective products utilizing patented nanotechnology. Founded as a spin-off from the University of Michigan in 1999, the company focuses on creating vaccines that provide mucosal immunity against respiratory and sexually transmitted diseases, including pertussis, pandemic influenza, anthrax, HSV2, chlamydia, and HIV. Its innovative NanoStat vaccine technology features an oil-in-water nanoemulsion that effectively incorporates and delivers multiple antigens while enhancing immune responses. In addition to its vaccine portfolio, BlueWillow Biologics offers NanoBio Protect, a nasal antiseptic solution. The company has established partnerships, including a licensing agreement with Merck for its adjuvant technology and a strategic alliance with Public Health England to further its mission in combating infectious diseases.

BlueWillow Biologics

Series B in 2009
BlueWillow Biologics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializing in the development of intranasal vaccines and anti-infective products utilizing patented nanotechnology. Founded as a spin-off from the University of Michigan in 1999, the company focuses on creating vaccines that provide mucosal immunity against respiratory and sexually transmitted diseases, including pertussis, pandemic influenza, anthrax, HSV2, chlamydia, and HIV. Its innovative NanoStat vaccine technology features an oil-in-water nanoemulsion that effectively incorporates and delivers multiple antigens while enhancing immune responses. In addition to its vaccine portfolio, BlueWillow Biologics offers NanoBio Protect, a nasal antiseptic solution. The company has established partnerships, including a licensing agreement with Merck for its adjuvant technology and a strategic alliance with Public Health England to further its mission in combating infectious diseases.

Tissue Regeneration Systems

Series A in 2008
Tissue Regeneration Systems Inc. is a start-up medical device company focused on skeletal reconstruction and bone regeneration technologies. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, with an additional office in Kirkland, Washington, the company has licensed its innovative technology platform from the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin. This platform is designed for a variety of clinical applications, including craniomaxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, spine fusion surgery, and bone growth factor delivery. The company has conducted extensive research, including large animal studies that yielded promising long-term results. It has developed initial product offerings, completed necessary bench and animal testing, and submitted regulatory filings to the FDA. Upon receiving approvals, Tissue Regeneration Systems aims to commercialize its products in the United States and anticipates generating significant revenues within the next few years.
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