Ira Weiss

VC investor and Professor

📍 Chicago, Illinois, United States🔄 Updated September 2026💼 18 investments📅 15 years investing🗓 Last invested Apr 2022𝕏 @upgrade_to_unlock
VC🌍 United States
18
Total investments
9
Early stage
4
Mid stage
1
Late stage
15y
Years active

Portfolio

16 investments · sorted by recency
All investments
Early stage
Mid stage
Late stage
Investor/Board Observer
Apr 2022
Slip Robotics empowers people to auto-load/unload any truck in 5 minutes using SlipBot Automated Loading Robots (ALRs) -- at any dock, in any trailer, and with zero Wi-Fi or IT integration required. The SlipBot robots-as-a-service network drives 10x improvements in safety, speed, and savings across the supply chain. 🚚 Truckers shouldnt wait. 👷‍♂️ Forklift drivers shouldnt risk it. ⚡ Auto-load/unload any truck in 5 minutes with SlipBots. Truck drivers spend 23% of their workday just idling at a dock and waiting for forklift drivers to load/unload their trailer, while forklift drivers face constant pressure to load/unload freight faster despite all the risks of damage and injury. Now, those same people can solve this bottleneck with the click of a button: commanding SlipBots to fully auto-load/unload a trailer in just 3 minutes, instead of rushing to drive forklifts in & out of a trailer for 30+ minutes. The secret is SlipBot, a rugged and beautifully "simple" Automated Loading Robot (ALR) platform that carries 20 pallets per minute in/out of any trailer at any dock -- with no dock modifications, no special trailers, no IT integration, and no Wi-Fi required. It just works. Slip seamlessly automates a process, not *just* a vehicle. The SlipBot RaaS (robots-as-a-service) network delivers 10x improvements in safety, speed, and savings across the supply chain. Slips experienced team and field-proven SlipBots already power 24/7 production manufacturing and logistics operations for multiple Fortune 500 customers, and were just getting started.
Board Observer
Nov 2021
HData empowers energy professionals with regulatory intelligence. Our purpose-built platform combines regulatory data with AI and specialized features to dramatically reduce the time-intensive burdens of research and analysis. Trusted by utilities, public utility commissions, service providers and analysts across the country, HData helps organizations to modernize regulatory information processes with secure and transparent AI technology. Learn how to get more comprehensive energy insights in less time at hdata.com.
Board Member
Jul 2021
Welcome to the future of verifying financial transactions. Audit Sight is the essential tool for auditors and lenders in the modern era. Our secure digital platform puts the future of testing and transaction verification at your fingertips.
Board Member
Oct 2020
NestEgg is a free, easy way for busy rental property owners to manage their properties. Get started in minutes with a simple one-time set up. - Have on-demand access to real experts help you manage your properties - Save time with effortless maintenance coordination - Maintenance by Pros you can trust at discounted rates - Bring certainty to your cash flow with rent in your account on the 1st, guaranteed
mid stageReal Estate
Investor/Board Observer
Feb 2020
Leap is building the worlds largest network of branded retail stores – powered by data, systems and scale. The Leap Platform enables brands to deploy stores that work in concert with ecommerce more rapidly and at significantly reduced cost and risk. Brand stores powered by Leap bring modern brands to life with compelling, immersive customer experience and data driven operations. At Leap, our diverse, growing team is excited by the opportunity to power the next generation of leading consumer brands with a vibrant presence in local communities throughout the country. Were one of the fastest growing companies in the retail/ecommerce space - since launch weve powered stores for +100 brands, and were adding more brands and stores each month. Our brand customers are modern brands who lead or aspire to lead their categories today and tomorrow, and *outstanding* people are literally at the core of our product. Our organization is composed of a diverse range of talented individuals and teams. With functions like Real Estate, Store Design & Development, Retail Operations, Marketing, Engineering, Product Management and Data Science, were a truly unique company and our shared ambitions and core values tightly align and drive us to succeed.
early stageRetail
Board Member
Nov 2019
FairX was founded in collaboration with leading industry firms to deliver futures products that meet the needs of active retail investors globally. Our products offer lower cost, right-sized exposure to benchmarks tracking liquid asset classes in a straightforward, easy-to-understand product design.
Board Member
Mar 2018
LandscapeHub is a new website for businesses to buy and sell landscape materials. We are building—with vetted buyers and a trusted network of quality wholesale suppliers—an online marketplace for our industry. We are dedicated to streamlining the buying and selling process for businesses in the green industry. Buyers and suppliers increase efficiency, expand their networks, and gain valuable market knowledge and insights by using LandscapeHub. Ready to expand your reach, increase profitability and be part of this marketplace? Whether you are a buyer or supplier we invite you to join LandscapeHub and experience the future of buying and selling.
early stageWholesale
Board Member
Jan 2018
RoadSync is a cutting-edge, digital payment platform for the logistics industry. By enabling more secure & efficient payment acceptance, RoadSync streamlines the payment experience for warehouses, freight handlers and repair/tow merchants alike. Save time and money with RoadSync. Contact us today!
Board Member
Jun 2016
Founded in 2014, ShipBob offers best-in-class supply chain and fulfillment capabilities for thousands of brands. ShipBob has an international fulfillment network across the US, Canada, UK, EU, and Australia. ShipBobs proprietary technology combines order and inventory management, warehouse management, predictive data and analytics, as well as optimized shipping for ecommerce companies.
Board Member
Jan 2016
FourKites is the global leader in AI-driven supply chain transformation technologies, helping the worlds biggest brands and businesses turn data into action like never before. FourKites Intelligent Control Tower breaks down enterprise silos by creating a real-time digital twin of orders, shipments, inventory and assets. Combined with AI-powered digital workers, this first-of-its-kind technology enables companies to prevent disruptions, automate routine tasks, and optimize performance across their supply chain. FourKites processes over 3.2 million supply chain events daily — from purchase orders to final delivery — helping 1,600+ global brands prevent disruptions, make faster decisions and move from reactive tracking to proactive supply chain orchestration.
Board Member/Investor
Dec 2015
PartySlate is a photo-rich platform that inspires people planning all types of events and connects them with the leading vendors and venues across the country and the world. We are on a mission to help people plan inspiring, memorable, and meaningful events that make an impact.
Board Observer/Investor
Mar 2014
G2 is the largest and most trusted software marketplace, helping 90 million people every year make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews.
Board Observer
Nov 2013
AmpliFund is the leading purpose-built grant management platform designed for state, local, and tribal governments to manage every phase of the grant management process. Our configurable solution provides a full suite of features needed by grant funders and recipients to maximize grant outcomes, meet performance standards, and increase compliance so they can achieve their missions.
Board Member/Observer
Oct 2012
Arrive is the leading provider of branded and white-labeled last-mile mobility solutions. Our fully integrated platform makes it easy for companies and brands to provide drivers, fleets, and connected vehicles with scalable frictionless parking and other mobility-related services. By harnessing the power of app, voice, and in-dash technology, Arrive makes the final leg of modern travel absolutely effortless. Millions of people in hundreds of cities across North America have already experienced Arrive-powered parking. In addition to our two consumer-facing brands, ParkWhiz and BestParking, Arrive works with hundreds of distribution partners, including Amazon, Ford, Hyundai, XEVO, TomTom, Ticketmaster/Live Nation, Groupon, Madison Square Garden and many others. Arrive is a Flash Technology
Investor
Feb 2011
Zendesk powers exceptional service for every person on the planet. As a leader in AI-powered service, we offer the Zendesk Resolution Platform, designed to redefine customer experience with advanced tools that integrate AI Agents, a comprehensive knowledge graph, actions and integrations, governance and control, measurement and insights, and human expertise. Our purpose-built platform enhances service by combining automation and human insight for seamless interactions. Easy to use, easy to scale, and easy to get value from, Zendesk helps companies strengthen relationships, improve efficiency, and grow. Learn more: http://zdsk.co/46mVi8h
Show all 16 investments ↓
Experience · 22 entries
All (22)
Investments (18)
Board (15)
2024
Vice Chairman
Jul 2024
The Illinois Venture Capital Association (IVCA) is a 501c(6) membership organization that advocates for a strong Illinois business climate for private investors in private companies. We promote pro-growth public policy platform, facilitate member networking and introduce underrepresented groups to the business of private company investing. We focus on collaborating with entrepreneurial and organizations of mutual interest in the Midwest to encourage a strong cycle of innovation and business creation leading to superior investment opportunities.
2022
Investor/Board Observer
Apr 2022
Slip Robotics empowers people to auto-load/unload any truck in 5 minutes using SlipBot Automated Loading Robots (ALRs) -- at any dock, in any trailer, and with zero Wi-Fi or IT integration required. The SlipBot robots-as-a-service network drives 10x improvements in safety, speed, and savings across the supply chain. 🚚 Truckers shouldnt wait. 👷‍♂️ Forklift drivers shouldnt risk it. ⚡ Auto-load/unload any truck in 5 minutes with SlipBots. Truck drivers spend 23% of their workday just idling at a dock and waiting for forklift drivers to load/unload their trailer, while forklift drivers face constant pressure to load/unload freight faster despite all the risks of damage and injury. Now, those same people can solve this bottleneck with the click of a button: commanding SlipBots to fully auto-load/unload a trailer in just 3 minutes, instead of rushing to drive forklifts in & out of a trailer for 30+ minutes. The secret is SlipBot, a rugged and beautifully "simple" Automated Loading Robot (ALR) platform that carries 20 pallets per minute in/out of any trailer at any dock -- with no dock modifications, no special trailers, no IT integration, and no Wi-Fi required. It just works. Slip seamlessly automates a process, not *just* a vehicle. The SlipBot RaaS (robots-as-a-service) network delivers 10x improvements in safety, speed, and savings across the supply chain. Slips experienced team and field-proven SlipBots already power 24/7 production manufacturing and logistics operations for multiple Fortune 500 customers, and were just getting started.
2021
Board Observer
Nov 2021
HData empowers energy professionals with regulatory intelligence. Our purpose-built platform combines regulatory data with AI and specialized features to dramatically reduce the time-intensive burdens of research and analysis. Trusted by utilities, public utility commissions, service providers and analysts across the country, HData helps organizations to modernize regulatory information processes with secure and transparent AI technology. Learn how to get more comprehensive energy insights in less time at hdata.com.
Board Member
Jul 2021
Welcome to the future of verifying financial transactions. Audit Sight is the essential tool for auditors and lenders in the modern era. Our secure digital platform puts the future of testing and transaction verification at your fingertips.
2020
Board Member
Oct 2020
NestEgg is a free, easy way for busy rental property owners to manage their properties. Get started in minutes with a simple one-time set up. - Have on-demand access to real experts help you manage your properties - Save time with effortless maintenance coordination - Maintenance by Pros you can trust at discounted rates - Bring certainty to your cash flow with rent in your account on the 1st, guaranteed
mid stageReal Estate
Show all 22 entries ↓
Investment activity
2011–2022 · 18 investments
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