Madison Schmid

Chicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV) invests in early-stage startup companies, with a particular focus on Chicago-based entities. We will consider investments in almost any sector and demographic, but we give preference to companies based in Chicago or with founders who are students or alumni of Chicago-based higher education institutions (Northwestern, University of Chicago, Loyola, etc.) Though investment is our primary purpose, we also seek to build and develop relationships among our investors, other investor organizations, and with founders, entrepreneurs and educational institutions in Chicago.

The Josephine Collective is a women-led group of angel investors co-investing small amounts (as little as $1,000 per deal) in early-stage startups across the United States. We help make angel investing accessible for all, but we are especially focused on helping women and people of color diversify their strategies and ease into a part of the investment world that can generate incredible returns. We do this by using a unique structure that allows us to invest in high potential startups with the lowest possible fee structure. For Investors Unlike an angel syndicate or venture fund, investors do not give the Josephine Collective funding to invest. Instead, we meet founders, learn about their visions, their market opportunities, their guiding principles and present them to our group of investors who individually decide whether they want to participate in an investment. When there is enough interest to meet the minimum check size, we make an investment in the startup, coming on as a single line on the cap table. This allows the Josephine Collective to: Access hot deals that individual investors may not be able to reach on their own. Protects founders from having too many investors on their cap tables (which creates both legal and financial burdens on both sides). Keep our operating costs very low, as we do not have to spend thousands on special purpose vehicles for each deal. Join our Angel Group For Founders We are a group of at least 51% women investors and people of color, bringing unique personal, professional, and funding perspectives to each deal we consider. For founders who care about representation on their cap tables, we are an excellent partner. But we’re more than just money. Many of our angels are founders, seasoned startup employees, service providers, and industry veterans with deep domain expertise to help connect you with the mentorship, talent, and potential customers you need to grow.

Chicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV) invests in early-stage startup companies, with a particular focus on Chicago-based entities. We will consider investments in almost any sector and demographic, but we give preference to companies based in Chicago or with founders who are students or alumni of Chicago-based higher education institutions (Northwestern, University of Chicago, Loyola, etc.) Though investment is our primary purpose, we also seek to build and develop relationships among our investors, other investor organizations, and with founders, entrepreneurs and educational institutions in Chicago.

The Josephine Collective is a women-led group of angel investors co-investing small amounts (as little as $1,000 per deal) in early-stage startups across the United States. We help make angel investing accessible for all, but we are especially focused on helping women and people of color diversify their strategies and ease into a part of the investment world that can generate incredible returns. We do this by using a unique structure that allows us to invest in high potential startups with the lowest possible fee structure. For Investors Unlike an angel syndicate or venture fund, investors do not give the Josephine Collective funding to invest. Instead, we meet founders, learn about their visions, their market opportunities, their guiding principles and present them to our group of investors who individually decide whether they want to participate in an investment. When there is enough interest to meet the minimum check size, we make an investment in the startup, coming on as a single line on the cap table. This allows the Josephine Collective to: Access hot deals that individual investors may not be able to reach on their own. Protects founders from having too many investors on their cap tables (which creates both legal and financial burdens on both sides). Keep our operating costs very low, as we do not have to spend thousands on special purpose vehicles for each deal. Join our Angel Group For Founders We are a group of at least 51% women investors and people of color, bringing unique personal, professional, and funding perspectives to each deal we consider. For founders who care about representation on their cap tables, we are an excellent partner. But we’re more than just money. Many of our angels are founders, seasoned startup employees, service providers, and industry veterans with deep domain expertise to help connect you with the mentorship, talent, and potential customers you need to grow.