Participated · Seed · Aug 2023

Creatively Focused builds axis3, a web-based, human-centered SaaS platform that automates workflows, streamlines district resources, and delivers targeted skill training for special education teams. The platform bridges paperwork demands, reduces workload and educator burnout, and provides a curated resource library plus personalized services. It supports district administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals to better meet the needs of special education students. The company already supports more than 1,000 special educators through axis3. Led by Founder and CEO Elizabeth Orme, Creatively Focused works with public K–12 school districts and plans to expand nationwide to all 50 states.

Participated · Seed · Nov 2022

ProsperStack provides a low-code, drop-in cancellation flow that integrates with billing systems to automate the entire retention process for subscription businesses. By adding a few lines of code, its solution connects billing systems with integrated and optimized tools, offering immediate ROI through setup and support. The company serves customers across SaaS, newspaper, digital media, publishing, marketing, advertising, and IT & telecommunications verticals. Notable customers include Hootsuite, Roll20, SwingU, and Soundstripe. In October 2022 ProsperStack raised $2M in Seed funding to support growth. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and expand its business reach and development efforts.

Participated · Series A · Oct 2019

Surgical Innovation Associates (SIA) develops the DuraSorb® product family, a next-generation bioabsorbable monofilament mesh that provides mechanical support during early wound healing and gradually resorbs over about one year. DuraSorb is commercially available in the U.S. under 510(k) clearance and in Europe under a CE mark, and the company reports robust product adoption and favorable customer feedback. SIA is running a pivotal trial for prosthetic breast reconstruction under an FDA Investigational Device Exemption. The company aims to expand enrollment in that pivotal trial and to develop additional products and indications within the DuraSorb family. Leadership changes — including the May 2021 hire of CEO Josh Vose, MD, MBA — are intended to accelerate commercialization and clinical development. Financially, SIA recently completed a Series B financing as it continues to scale commercially from its 2016 founding in Chicago. Surgical Innovation Associates focuses on developing and commercializing medical products for reconstructive and aesthetic surgery and is led by CEO and co-founder Alexei Mlodinow. Its DuraSorb® product line progressed from ideation through FDA 510(k) clearance into operating-room use. DuraSorb Monofilament Mesh is designed to integrate into patient tissue, provide strong support during early healing, and then slowly dissolve within one year. The company plans to investigate and develop additional products and indications, including breast reconstruction and facial aesthetic applications. SIA intends to use the funds to finance early commercial efforts, pursue further regulatory approvals, and continue product development. Founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, the company has raised $6.5M to date.

Participated · Series C · Oct 2017

Attune Medical is a medical device company with a technology platform based on targeted temperature management using the esophageal space. Its flagship product, the single-use ensoETM, is placed in the esophagus like a standard orogastric tube and connects to an external heat-exchange unit to create a closed-loop heat-transfer system. The ensoETM enables efficient core temperature modulation due to proximity to cardiac and great-vessel blood flow, and permits gastric decompression plus administration of fluids and medications while not impeding surgical access. The device is FDA-cleared for use in the esophagus for whole-body temperature management and is used in critical care units, operating rooms, and emergency departments. Attune has supported clinical research for emerging applications, citing the IMPACT study published Nov 17, 2020 in Europace and referencing other work (OPERA) as part of its clinical validation efforts. Financially, the company completed a final closing of a $4M convertible note offering to increase commercial and clinical presence and support further studies; CEO Keith Warner emphasized continued commitment to expanding esophageal-based temperature management applications. Attune Medical develops and sells the EnsoETM, a single-use, fully enclosed esophageal device that modulates core body temperature via lumens connected to an external heat-exchange unit while allowing gastric decompression and enteral access. The EnsoETM can be placed like a standard gastric tube and is cleared for use across operating rooms, recovery rooms, emergency departments, and intensive care units. Attune positions the EnsoETM as the only product cleared for whole-body temperature management in the esophageal environment. The company plans to expand the device’s application into emerging clinical uses such as hypothermia prevention during surgical procedures and to pursue clinical studies and regulatory clearance for applications aimed at reducing esophageal thermal injury from cryo- and radiofrequency-based cardiac ablation. The Series C financing will support continued revenue growth in the global temperature-management market and fund further clinical and regulatory work for new indications. Formerly Advanced Cooling Therapy, the company has received multiple FDA clearances (de novo in 2015 and subsequent 510(k) clearances through 2018), a CE mark in 2014 with later expansions, and licenses for sale in Canada and Australia. Attune Medical develops the EnsoETM, a single‑use, fully enclosed esophageal temperature management device that enables whole‑body warming and cooling via the esophageal environment. The device has two lumens to connect to an external heat‑exchange unit and a third lumen for gastric decompression and drainage, and can be placed similarly to a standard gastric tube. Attune says the EnsoETM is the only product approved for esophageal whole‑body temperature modulation and can be used in the OR, recovery room, emergency room, and ICU. The company holds a US FDA de novo clearance (2015) and multiple 510(k) clearances (2016, 2017), a CE Mark (2014, expanded 2016) and is licensed for sale in Canada and Australia. Attune reports continued adoption by a growing number of major hospitals and that the product requires no additional capital equipment purchase. The company will use recent funding to support continued revenue growth in North America and expansion across key markets worldwide. Advanced Cooling Therapy (ACT) is a Chicago-based emerging medical device firm developing the Esophageal Cooling Device (ECD) to control patient temperature. The ECD is a single-use, fully-enclosed triple-lumen system inserted into the esophagus; two lumens connect to temperature modulation equipment while a third provides gastric decompression and drainage. It can be rapidly inserted by most trained healthcare professionals in a manner similar to a standard gastric tube and is intended for use in the operating room, recovery room, emergency department, and ICU. No other product on the market is approved to use the esophageal environment for whole-body temperature modulation. The device holds a CE mark for sale in Europe and is licensed for sale in Canada; it is currently pending FDA clearance for use in the U.S. ACT closed a $1.5 million Series A to support the full commercial launch of the ECD and to help distribution partners in the EU and Canada. Proceeds will also be used to shepherd the ECD through FDA regulatory approval.

Participated · Series A · Mar 2017

Kidizen is a mobile-first app that lets parents snap photos and resell children’s clothing, accessories, shoes, baby gear and toys through individual listings or lots. The platform pairs a storefront with a social ‘Gallery’ where users (mostly moms) share styled photos, hashtag collections and push content to Instagram and Facebook. Sellers keep 82% of proceeds, and the app reports strong engagement and retention: more than a quarter-million registered users, over 100% year-over-year growth in 2016, 88% of sessions from daily repeat users, 55% hourly repeats, and 80% of purchases from repeat customers. Kidizen acquires roughly 70% of users organically each month and has begun attracting boutique sellers and brick-and-mortar consignment shops in addition to individual parents. The company was founded in February 2014 and is based in Minneapolis. Planned product work includes more curation, sharing and self-expression features, a local selling component to compete with Facebook Groups, refreshed apps, and an eventual expansion to the web; the team is expected to grow from five to 15. Kidizen operates a mobile-only, peer-to-peer marketplace that lets parents buy and sell secondhand kids' clothing, toys, shoes and other easily shippable items. The app does not act as a middleman; sellers handle packing and shipping and retain roughly 90% of the selling price. Kidizen has seen strong engagement: over 2,500 transactions in the past month, 50% month-over-month sales growth, more than 55% of registered users active monthly, and over 65% of purchases are repeat buys each month. The company has been featured weekly in the iTunes App Store since early April, which has helped visibility and growth. With proof of concept underway, Kidizen plans product expansions to Android, web and tablet platforms, increased user acquisition, and building out its data analytics team. Financially, the startup has now raised $530,000, exceeding an original $500,000 goal.