Heartland Ventures is a Midwest-based venture capital firm connecting large Middle America companies with vital technology being developed on the coasts. Our proven model helps corporations embrace a competitive, early-adopter approach, while helping startups spark meaningful conversations with key corporate decision makers. Since 2016, we’ve invested in twelve portfolio companies and created over $220 Million in pipeline revenue for our portfolio companies.
Where is Heartland Ventures located?
Heartland Ventures is based in the Midwest with a full-time presence in South Bend, IN, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, CA, and New York City, NY.
Why did you expand to Columbus, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati?
The early success in South Bend, IN and Fort Wayne, IN proved our model is truly scalable. Connecting budding technology companies with established, yet forward-thinking, corporations has consistently sparked growth and new opportunities for both. The decision to expand into other major Midwestern markets, ultimately, was an easy one.
After many hours of research, several trips and dozens of meetings, we decided to expand to the thriving Midwestern cities of Indianapolis, Columbus and Cincinnati, OH. These three cities, although vastly different, share a collaborative culture, an appetite for risk and an understanding of how the innovation coming from early-stage startups could impact their communities.
How do you define the “Heartland?”
To us, the Heartland is everything between the coasts, also known as Middle America. We act as a bridge between these regions, creating a community for coastal technologies and Heartland-based corporations to connect, grow and innovate together.
Who do you invest in?
We invest in startups located anywhere, but predominantly on the coasts, that are solving problems currently being faced by companies in the Heartland. By connecting forward-thinking corporations to a pipeline of coastal technologies, we empower them to be industry leaders, while giving innovative startups access to key corporate decision makers.
How do you help corporations in the Heartland?
Innovation takes time and resources — things not every corporation can spare. Heartland Ventures does the legwork to put it in reach, bringing the best technologies to our corporate LPs’ doors. We connect corporations to the disrupters, providing access to more innovation – and more reward.
How do you help startups?
With a deep bench of corporate LPs, Heartland Ventures connects startups to vital customers, feedback, and decision makers. Based in the Midwest with team members on the coast, we understand what coastal startups do — and more importantly — how it translates to the Heartland corporate buyer. We help startups get a seat at the table with potential corporate buyers, and then provide support to help them make the most of it.
Who are your Corporate Partners?
Our corporate partners are the forward-thinkers, the early adopters and the companies focused on being not just industry players, but industry leaders. They’re typically medium to large size, private companies, that are financially stable and based in the Heartland.
What industries do you focus on?
Our target investments are in Manufacturing, Logistics, Real Estate, and Construction because of the high concentration of these businesses in our region, we have an extensive network that spans a wide variety of industries.
What size is your fund?
Currently, we are investing out of our second fund. The total fund size is $52M.
What size deals or checks do you typically write?
We typically write checks between $500,000 and $2,000,000, depending on stage and round dynamics. We’re focused on early-stage companies that have proven product fit within our market and are looking to expand their customer reach into the Heartland.
What stage do you typically invest?
We typically invest in the seed to series A-stages. Our main qualification is based on the product readiness of the startup and the alignment with our corporate partners’ needs.
Are any of your portfolio companies hiring?
If you are interested in applying to any of the Heartland Ventures portfolio companies, please reach out to us directly at contact@heartlandvc.com. We will gladly update you on available positions and make the necessary connections.
Is Heartland Ventures hiring?
If you are interested in joining the Heartland Ventures team, please feel free to reach out to us directly at contact@heartlandvc.com. We will gladly update you on available positions.
When is Heartland Ventures right for you?
- Raising a round <$5mm
- B2B strategy serving Manufacturing, Logistics, Real Estate, or Construction
- The primary focus for this raise is on growing sales
How does Heartland Ventures determine if I'm a good fit?
- Our decision-making process is focused on 1 key factor: can we add value to your startup?
- We will determine if we can help de-risk your aspirations of Midwestern expansion by generating customer validation… even before we invest!
- We can have an immediate impact on expediting the sales process with key accounts from within our network of industry-leading executives.
How does Heartland Ventures work with corporations?
To the forward thinkers and early adopters – we were built for you. Heartland Ventures opens the door to innovation by connecting you with a pipeline of early-stage, high-growth technology companies, empowering your corporation to be a leader for years to come.
Innovation takes time and resources — things not every corporation can spare. Heartland Ventures does the legwork to put it in reach, bringing the best technologies to our Midwest corporate LPs’ doors. We connect corporations to the disrupters, providing access to more innovation – and more reward.
How does Heartland Ventures help founders?
You have the tech, now you need access. With a deep bench of corporate LPs, Heartland Ventures connects you to customers, feedback and decision makers with the willingness — and resources — to take risks.
Based in the Midwest with deep connections on the coast, we understand what startups do, and more importantly, how it translates to the Heartland corporate buyer. We help you get a seat at the table with potential corporate buyers, and then provide support to help you make the most of it.