Participated · Equity · Sep 2023

Bevz is a technology platform built for convenience and liquor stores to purchase inventory from distributors, sign up for and combine multiple e-commerce apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, etc.), and manage inventory. The solution includes 15+ API integrations with partners such as DoorDash, GrubHub, Uber, Core-Mark, Plaid, Stripe, and DocuSign. Hundreds of convenience stores are actively using the SaaS platform across 10 states in the U.S. Led by CEO Jason Vego, the company intends to use new funding to increase sales and marketing, support national expansion, continue product development, and add customer success resources. Bevz raised $3.1M in the reported funding round to support those initiatives. The platform targets independently operated and small chain operators with integrations and inventory workflows tailored to convenience retail.

Led · Seed · Dec 2022

Founded in 2017, Automotus has built a computer-vision platform that lets municipalities and airports track curb activity, generate data analytics, and automate payments for commercial vehicles, ride-hail drivers, and delivery fleets. The system, already deployed in dozens of U.S. markets, supplies real-time insights that cities have used to redesign parking policies, as demonstrated by a deployment in Lincoln, Nebraska. By addressing the surge in ride-hailing and e-commerce deliveries, the company aims to make streets safer, more efficient, and more sustainable. Automotus’ business model centers on selling its software and camera hardware to public-sector agencies managing increasingly congested curb space. The company plans to use its newest capital to deepen product capabilities, expand into additional markets, and bolster customer support. Including the latest equity infusion, Automotus has raised $26 million in equity funding to date, alongside the newly secured credit line.

Led · Seed · Aug 2021

Stonehenge Technology Labs offers STOPWATCH, a commerce enhancement platform that ingests and analyzes retail and back-end data to deliver role-specific metrics and real-time alerts. STOPWATCH integrates ERP systems with public and private data feeds and can process over 100 million rows of data per workspace per day. The product was spun out from a consulting business after a client requested the software alone. The company says it already counts multiple Fortune 100 companies and emerging brands among early users. Over the past year Stonehenge doubled its revenue and doubled the number of contracts. It plans to use new funding to hire a sales team, pursue strategic relationships, and build a diverse workforce aligned with its users.

Participated · Seed · Feb 2021

Founded in 2019, Charlottesville-based Poppy Flowers operates a technology-driven marketplace that matches couples with local floral designers whose style, budget, and vision align with their needs. The company has already served more than 6,000 couples nationwide, positioning itself as a fast-growing player in the $71 billion U.S. floral industry. Poppy’s platform streamlines the traditionally fragmented wedding-florist experience by handling design matching, logistics, and fulfillment. With fresh capital, the team plans to accelerate an expansion into business-to-business offerings, roll out new technology features, and hire key leadership roles. Management believes these moves will widen its customer base beyond consumer weddings and deepen engagement with professional florists. Investors cite the company’s clear category leadership and scalable model as reasons for continued support. Financial details beyond the most recent and prior capital raises were not disclosed in the article.

Participated · Series B · Jul 2020

The Mom Project operates a platform that helps moms discover their economic potential and connects them with employers through hiring, education and retention solutions. It currently serves over 500,000 moms and 3,000 companies. The company raised $80M in a Series C led by Leeds Illuminate to accelerate adoption among moms. Additional participants included existing investors 7GC, Initialized Capital, OCA Ventures, Citi, High Alpha and Grotech Ventures, alongside Silicon Valley Bank. The company intends to use the funds to invest in product development, distribution, and team growth. Led by founder and CEO Allison Robinson and based in Chicago, The Mom Project says its suite aims to solve pressing labor shortages while addressing attrition, skill gaps and the need for greater diversity and empathy in the workplace. Serena Williams joined as a strategic advisor in 2020. The Mom Project operates a two-sided recruitment platform that connects women—particularly parents and those seeking flexible work—with employers posting roles targeted to that demographic. On the employer side it offers job-posting capabilities and HR analytics; on the candidate side it provides job listings, support and community resources. The company has grown to 275,000 users (up from 75,000) and doubled organizations posting jobs to 2,000, with an average user age between 28 and 44; roughly two-thirds of jobs on the platform are fixed-term. The Mom Project acquired startup Werk to add analytics tools for business customers and launched a $500,000 grant fund for small-business customers. With the new funding it plans to enhance enterprise tools for engagement and recruitment management and to build out interactive community features and forums for users. The pandemic has had a mixed impact, increasing demand for flexible roles while overall hiring slowed. The Mom Project operates a platform that helps mothers who paused full-time employment find and take on jobs, with a focus on flexibility and support services. Its marketplace lists mostly fixed-term roles today and the company handles transactions and payroll for those engagements, taking a cut and providing benefits. The startup is currently active in Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco and plans to expand its job marketplace to more cities and broaden the services it offers to help parents juggle work and childcare. It runs programs such as a partnership with UrbanSitter to provide free childcare credits for interviewees. The company reports 75,000 registered moms and about 1,000 companies on the platform, including Procter & Gamble, BP, MillerCoors and AT&T. The Mom Project aims over time to increase full‑time opportunities while continuing to support contract and fixed‑term work.