Wonder Fund North Dakota

Wonder Fund North Dakota is a direct investment program established to stimulate economic growth within the state by providing early-stage funding to businesses. Managed by O'Leary Ventures, the program focuses on investing in companies headquartered in North Dakota with fewer than 500 employees, as well as those outside the state whose products or services significantly impact North Dakota. The initiative is part of the U.S. Department of Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), with funds allocated to support small businesses and startups through co-investments alongside private investors.

The program's investment strategy encompasses a broad spectrum of industries, including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, and more. It targets various stages of business development, from seed and early-stage ventures to growth and late-stage companies. Investment sizes range from a minimum of $250,000 to a maximum of $10 million, depending on the specific needs and potential of the business. This flexible approach allows Wonder Fund North Dakota to support a diverse array of enterprises contributing to the state's economic diversification and resilience.

In its operational history, the fund has made several notable investments. For instance, it invested $2.5 million in Thread, a Grand Forks-based autonomous inspection and asset management software company, and $250,000 in Tavolo, an AI-driven content creation platform for local restaurants. Additionally, the fund invested $1 million in Drut Technologies, a company specializing in photonic data center systems. These investments reflect the fund's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting businesses that align with North Dakota's economic development goals.