Great North Ventures

Great North Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies in the Midwest. The firm focuses on two primary themes: Vertical AI, which involves industry-specific AI solutions that automate real work and deliver fast ROI, and Embedded Finance, which integrates payments, lending, and other services into software workflows to create new revenue streams and enhance platform stickiness. The firm believes that the next generation of startups can grow anywhere, including cities like the Twin Cities, Chicago, Madison, Fargo, Detroit, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Toronto. Their management is based in Minnesota and Silicon Valley, with decades of operator experience, including M&A and Fortune 100 companies. By leveraging their operating experience, networks, and investment intelligence, they guide startups to scale and achieve successful exits. Great North Ventures has raised multiple funds and partnered with numerous startups, building a reputation for helping founders execute with speed, grit, and data-driven precision. Their portfolio includes companies across various sectors, such as technology, healthcare, real estate, financial services, transportation, logistics, education, and business-to-business services. The firm invests between $1 million and $10 million in seed and early-stage companies, primarily in the United States and Canada. Their investment strategy emphasizes capital efficiency and rapid scaling, aiming to support founders in building defensible, high-growth companies. Great North Ventures also operates a venture studio that co-creates startups to tackle focused market opportunities, pairing with talented founders and operators to generate 1-2 startups every year. This approach allows them to produce unique deals for investors and unique opportunities for talented operators, further enhancing their investment strategy and portfolio diversity.