Great North Ventures

Great North Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota, with a strategic focus on investing in disruptive technology startups. The firm targets companies leveraging breakthrough innovations to transform industries often characterized by inefficiencies. Their investment philosophy centers on identifying promising ventures at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, providing crucial capital and strategic support to help these companies scale. Great North Ventures positions itself as a key partner for founders, aiming to foster growth and innovation within the technology ecosystem.

The firm manages multiple funds, demonstrating a consistent commitment to the early-stage investment landscape. Their most recent vehicle, Great North Ventures Fund III, closed in 2023 with $33 million in committed capital, building on the success of their $20 million Fund II which closed in 2020. This capital enables them to make significant initial investments, typically ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. Beyond the initial cheque, Great North Ventures also reserves capital for follow-on investments, capable of deploying up to $2 million over the lifetime of a portfolio company, supporting their growth through subsequent funding rounds.

While Great North Ventures maintains a strong regional emphasis on the Midwest, particularly Minnesota, they also actively pursue opportunities across the United States. Their investment criteria prioritize teams with deep industry expertise and technologies that address substantial market needs. The firm offers more than just capital, providing portfolio companies with access to a robust network of mentors, strategic partners, and operational guidance. This hands-on approach aims to accelerate development, mitigate risks, and maximize the potential for long-term success, solidifying their role as a supportive and engaged investor in the early-stage tech sector.