• Algal Scientific

  Participated · Series B · Mar 2015

  Algal Scientific produces Algamune, an algae-derived beta-1,3-glucan ingredient manufactured by growing a selected strain of non-GMO microalgae in controlled, sterile fermentation systems to yield high concentrations of beta glucan. The company positions Algamune as a feed additive to naturally support livestock and poultry immune systems and reduce reliance on antibiotics in the food supply. Algal Scientific combines expertise in algae biology, immune health and fermentation with animal-health and feed-ingredient experience on its team led by CEO Geoff Horst. The company plans to dedicate additional resources to addressing antibiotic overuse in agriculture and to accelerate commercialization and scaling of its algae-based solutions. Financially, Algal Scientific has closed a $7 million Series B and has raised over $10 million in total to date. Founded in 2009, the company emphasizes cost-effective, environmentally sound approaches to improving animal and human health through reduced antibiotic usage. Algal Scientific develops Algamune™, an algae-based beta-1,3-glucan ingredient intended to support a healthy immune system in poultry, swine, aquaculture and other livestock production, as well as in human foods and nutraceuticals. The company manufactures algae-based chemicals and supplies related technologies to food and beverage customers. Led by CEO and Chief Science Officer Geoff Horst, Algal is positioning Algamune™ for commercial sale. The company completed a $3M financing to fund the start of commercial-scale production and sales of Algamune™. As part of the financing the company added James Zhang from Formation 8 to its board. The business is based in Northville, Michigan.

• NuCurrent

  Participated · Series A · Oct 2014

  NuCurrent develops wireless power antenna technology for electronic device OEMs and integrators. The company is based in Chicago and is led by CEO Jacob Babcock. NuCurrent’s antennas are designed to enable efficient wireless power capabilities in accessories, smartphones, cars and the places people visit every day. It closed $3.48M in Series A funding to accelerate commercial development and grow its global market share. Backers in the round included Independence Equity, Hyde Park Angels, Harvard Business School Angels, an unnamed strategic corporate investor and existing investors. The company intends to use the proceeds to push commercialization and expand its market presence.

• EatStreet

  Participated · Series B · Apr 2014

  EatStreet operates a software platform that lets restaurants—primarily in smaller cities and college towns—accept online and mobile orders; it supplies restaurants with a tablet free of charge. The company focuses exclusively on ordering rather than delivery, leaving fulfillment to restaurants or local providers. EatStreet charges a 12% fee on orders, sells paid placement ads in its apps, and pays restaurants their 88% share weekly. It works with about 15,000 restaurants across 250 cities and serves “millions” of customers, and has reported triple‑digit revenue growth in recent years (revenues not disclosed). Founded in 2010 and built out of Madison, Wisconsin, the company has remained relatively capital‑efficient compared with delivery-focused peers. EatStreet does not disclose its valuation. EatStreet provides an online and mobile food ordering service that lets customers order from restaurants via web and mobile apps and integrates with partner platforms. The company integrates into the Yelp Platform, enabling users to order directly from thousands of restaurant pages on Yelp. EatStreet also orchestrates digital loyalty programs with its restaurant partners, where diners can earn coupons. Led by CEO and co-founder Matt Howard, the company intends to use new funding to further develop its iOS and Android apps, expand into new markets, and double its engineering team. The article reports an additional $4M in funding from backers including 4490 Ventures and the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. EatStreet previously raised $6M in April 2014. EatStreet offers restaurants a one-stop software solution for online and mobile ordering, including custom websites and apps, Facebook integrations, menu and order management dashboards, reporting, coupons and marketing tools. The company initially gained traction in Madison after being founded in 2010 by Matt Howard, Alex Wyler and Eric Martell, and expanded to nearly two dozen cities by last February. EatStreet reports 300% average annual sales growth and says annual revenue more than tripled from 2012 to 2013, though it does not disclose absolute revenue figures. In the past three months the service added over 3,000 restaurants and expects to serve more than 15,000 restaurants in 150 U.S. cities by year-end. With the new funding EatStreet plans to heavily focus on product—revamping its iOS and Android apps and its mobile website—and has doubled its development team to support that work. The company is also pursuing aggressive national expansion into 75+ cities, including larger markets like L.A. and Chicago. EatStreet provides a platform approach to restaurant online ordering, delivering websites, mobile apps, mobile sites, Facebook ordering, and listings on EatStreet.com. Restaurants receive setup at no cost and EatStreet takes a commission on sales, reported at roughly 8–10%. The company was started by University of Wisconsin students in 2009 and has grown to more than 1,000 restaurants across about 20 cities, primarily on the East Coast and in the Midwest. EatStreet has 14 full‑time employees and says it is nearly profitable while preparing to scale nationwide. It targets smaller 200,000–500,000‑person markets where many restaurants lack websites and aims to be a one‑stop shop for those businesses. The expansion strategy emphasizes replicable, "cookie cutter" market rollouts and adding roughly two employees per new market.

No current team members are available.