Michael Ladipo

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.

Ruthless for Good Fund makes pre-seed and seed investments in BIPOC and women founders that are building companies in education, the future of work, and access innovations. We invest in founders determined to create financial value and positive social impact to bring about a just society. We call this leader a ruthless for good founder.

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.

Impact America Fund is a venture capital fund that invests ($250K-$2M) in early-stage entrepreneurs using technology to broaden the path to economic opportunity in America. We invest in companies whose social impact is inherent in their business model—where scaling the business fundamentally scales the impact. We back mission-driven founders whose lived experiences fortify their business prowess. And we advise startups on how to imbue impact into the design and development of the technologies that power their businesses. We’re building an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, funders, institutions, philanthropists, academics, technologists, and community organizers to grow and support our portfolio companies and compound our collective impact. We care about using market forces to equitably distribute wealth and democratize economic participation. To submit a pitch, visit us at: http://www.impactamericafund.com/first-contact/

Prairie is a leading financial advisory firm specializing in creating and executing ownership transition strategies for middle-market companies nationwide. For more information call 630.413.5565 or visit www.prairiecap.com. In 2023, Prairie was named ESOP Investment Bank of the Year by M&A Atlas.