Mastercraft Ventures

Mastercraft Ventures is a Beloit-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage companies across various sectors, including SaaS and technology-enabled businesses. The firm focuses on providing initial funding to startups in Wisconsin, aiming to fill the startup funding gap in the state. Mastercraft Ventures typically invests in Wisconsin-based, pre-revenue startups across a broad range of industries, technologies, and products. The firm targets initial investments of approximately $500,000 in startups, addressing a need in Wisconsin for 'first in' seed capital. The fund is supported by the Badger Fund of Funds, which matches up to 40% of the fund's invested capital. The firm is led by Managing Director Mason Cook, who has experience in investment organizations and technology startups, including serving as president of a VC-funded software company.

Mastercraft Ventures aims to help build startups in emerging fields like AI and automation, especially in sectors where Wisconsin already excels, such as advanced manufacturing, food tech, logistics, healthcare, and ag tech. The firm is eager to support talented entrepreneurs in the community by providing access to much-needed capital. The fund expects to register with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to obtain qualified venture fund certification, allowing it to offer Wisconsin tax benefits to eligible investors when it invests in Wisconsin-based startups recognized as qualified new business ventures.