CJ Investment

We are a nationally-ranked venture capital firm and accelerator that brings together startup founders, investors, corporations, job seekers, universities, musicians and artists. The gener8tor platform includes more than 75 programs spanning startup accelerators, corporate programming, speaker series, conferences, skills accelerators and fellowships. gener8tor believes that everyone deserves opportunities, regardless of race, place or gender. And that is what we consider our mission. Why do we do it? Our mission is to be the best partner for a community to invest in its best and brightest. We envision communities achieving measurable and transformational growth through programming that enables equitable access and opportunity. We do what we do because we care about our communities. At gener8tor, everyone belongs. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk. Our goal is to close equity gaps for founders, continually improve the workforce, and foster relationships with diverse communities and organizations that are dedicated to DE&I. From the culture of our own company to the experience of our programs and participants, we strive to create an inclusive and safe environment for everyone.

We are a global network made up of 100+ Impact Hubs worldwide, with 25,000+ people driving change - in 60+ countries across 5 continents. At Impact Hub, we are enabling inclusive and sustainable innovation at scale by connecting entrepreneurs and innovators to large organizations, cultural and public institutions. Our world is facing complex challenges. Challenges that will only be tackled through collaboration. At Impact Hub, we make collaboration happen by designing impactful solutions, building business for good and (re)imagining the future. This is what our community of impact-driven entrepreneurs, creators, innovators and intrapreneurs does; taking action - today - to create a better tomorrow for people and planet. We’ve been a catalyst for entrepreneurial action for 15+ years. All big ideas start small. In our case, it was in 2005, with one community, in one city. It was a space for anyone who had an idea for a better world to meet and collaborate - a place where ideas turned into impact. Today, from Kigali to São Paulo and from Taipei to Berlin, we provide access to spaces, resources, connections, knowledge, talent and investments to turn ideas into action. We believe that the time to act is now. And the way to act is together!

Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas - entrepreneurs create the future, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Today our mission is to make innovation accessible to everyone, everywhere. We do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to create a more sustainable and inclusive world. Since 2006, Techstars has invested in more than 2,200 companies and today has a market cap of $27 Billion.

We are a trusted partner and a notable VC player in our target markets. We effectively leverage relationship with governments and international development organisations and agencies. We seek outreach opportunities and partner locally with academic and innovation centers and investor communities. We back early-stage startups whose founders aspire to change millions of lives for the better.

We're here to connect & catalyze tech startups with our extensive network. Grab the attention of corporate partners and VCF Portolfio Managers by demonstrating that your start up is well-managed, growth-focused and addresses a relevant market opportunity. THE HEART OF THE MIDWEST MOVEMENT Midwest really is best. Our ecosystem is strategically located in the heartland of the fastest-growing tech scene - driven by affordable cost of living, ample amenities, friendly people, and more. The Talent is Here With access to top universities, The Queen City has developed a strong talent pipeline. Fortune 500 Access Heavy hitters like P&G, Kroger, Western & Southern and Fifth Third Bank are in our backyard looking for agile startup talent. Full City Support Cintrifuse was created and funded by the city, for the city. Cincinnati is here for YOU. Smart Cost of Business A general low cost of living keeps business costs down and supports a great quality of life.

We have two funds: Future Ventures: The way consumers want to engage with their money and plan for their financial future is changing. Through Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, we look for partners who are developing tools and platforms to help us deliver the experience clients need, want and deserve; who are shaping the future of health and wellness; and who are bringing new technologies and enhanced analytics to market. Cream City Venture Capital: We're committed to being a catalyst for business growth in our home town. Cream City Venture Capital is dedicated to investing solely in startups based in southeast Wisconsin. Beyond capital, Cream City Venture Capital portfolio companies get access to our network of mentors and state-of-the-art co-working space. We look to partner with companies that are leveraging technology to address challenges across any industry. More Than Just Funding We support and drive growth with value-add platform services, connecting our portfolio companies to resources within and outside of Northwestern Mutual. By accelerating learning and connecting to experts, we can help founders quickly overcome growth challenges and increase the likelihood of their startup’s success. Leveraging Northwestern Mutual: Industry insights and expertise gained over 160+ years Business Development: Strategic connections to potential partners or customers Talent & Leadership Development: Growing and developing founders and their teams as they grow their business Marketing & Communication: Amplification of founders’ personal and company brands through consultation with Northwestern Mutual’s experts Community & Events: Access to best practices and opportunities by connecting with other founders, Northwestern Mutual executives and influencers Investing in and Supporting Startups Founded by Women and Black Entrepreneurs Female-founded startups receive less than three percent of the approximately $80 billion in venture capital annually, and Black founders receive less than one percent. As part of our ongoing commitment to women and diversity, we’ve dedicated a total of $40 million to investing in startup companies founded by women and Black entrepreneurs. This funding allocation will advance the company’s investment strategy of engaging startups whose technologies have the potential to transform how clients experience financial security, as well as increase focus on technological disruption. The investment criteria align with NM Future Ventures' key strategic areas of focus.