Participated · Series B · Feb 2021

Bitwise Industries provides scalable digital solutions, including Salesforce managed services, DocuSign implementations, and custom SaaS offerings, staffed by a representative workforce. The company focuses on building tech economies in underestimated cities and uses its services to create local employment and skills pathways. Bitwise plans to use new funding to expand in current and new locations and to further develop its managed services and SaaS products. It has partnered with the Comer Science & Education Foundation to support expansion to Chicago’s South Side and to strengthen local workforce connections. The company is led by CEO Jake Soberal and is based in Fresno, CA. Financially, Bitwise recently completed a substantial funding round to support its growth initiatives. Bitwise Industries operates paid tech apprenticeship programs and builds buildings to house tech work in underserved cities, leveraging public-private partnerships. The company runs the Digital New Deal (DND) initiative, which has trained over 5,000 individuals. Bitwise connects apprentices to tech opportunities and has expanded its model to serve five cities: Fresno, Bakersfield, Merced, Oakland, and Toledo. Leadership is led by Irma Olguin Jr. and Jake Soberal. The company intends to use the new funding to grow into multiple new markets across the country, beginning with Toledo, Ohio. Financially, Bitwise completed a $50M Series B to support that expansion. Bitwise Industries creates a tech ecosystem focused on activating human potential to elevate underdog cities. It operates three lines of business: Geekwise Academy, which trains people to code with a focus on marginalized groups; commercial real estate that provides workspace for technologists and mission-aligned employers that hire from Geekwise; and Shift3 Technologies, a custom software development shop that pairs senior talent with entry-level programmers from Geekwise Academy. The company uses its integrated model to train talent and supply clients with software services while anchoring local tech hubs. Bitwise intends to use new funding to continue growth in Fresno and to expand to other cities, beginning with Bakersfield, Calif. The company was founded in 2013 by Irma L. Olguin, Jr. and Jake A. Soberal.

Participated · Series B · Nov 2020

Everytable prepares and sells affordable healthy meals such as wraps and salads, with menu prices that vary by each store’s location. It distributes through company stores, branded vending machines and delivery channels. The company tripled its number of stores in 2022 and says it strives for each store to be individually profitable. Management notes that keeping prices affordable can complicate scaling and that stores are only one part of the business’s cost base. Everytable plans to expand its retail footprint and hopes to open 25 stores in the latter half of 2023. Founder and CEO Sam Polk has said he’s seen growing investor interest in mission-driven startups in recent years. Everytable operates a multi-channel fresh-prepared, ready-to-eat food business blending storefronts, subscriptions, and SmartFridges supplied by a central kitchen, with meals priced according to neighborhood. Led by founder and CEO Sam Polk, the company focuses on making nutritious food accessible and affordable. It has expanded beyond greater Los Angeles into Orange County and San Diego County and this spring launched an e-commerce delivery service in the Bay Area with plans to open storefronts there in 2023. Everytable also opened its first three New York locations this spring and has three more stores slated to open by the end of the year. The company recently closed a $55m Series C to fund its growth and channel expansion. Everytable operates a multi-channel fresh-prepared food business combining grab-and-go storefronts, a subscription delivery service and SmartFridges supplied by a central kitchen. The company prices meals according to neighborhood to improve affordability and reach. Everytable partners with institutions and public agencies to serve vulnerable populations and has provided more than 4 million meals to Los Angeles’ most vulnerable, including housebound seniors, homeless individuals and food-insecure college students. It works with partners such as The City of Los Angeles, The Department of Aging, Santa Monica College and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Founded in 2016 and led by CEO Sam Polk, Everytable plans to use new funding to accelerate growth throughout Southern California via new grab-and-go stores, expanded institutional food service partnerships and a larger subscription delivery footprint. The company is mission-driven and focused on scaling access to affordable, fresh-prepared meals through multiple channels.