Listen

Listen is a Chicago-based venture capital firm established with a dedicated focus on the evolving consumer landscape. Founded on the principle of backing and building the brands of tomorrow, the firm exclusively targets early-stage companies within the consumer sector. Their investment scope spans a diverse array of categories, including consumer packaged goods (CPG), food and beverage, beauty, health and wellness, and technology-enabled consumer services. This specialization allows Listen to cultivate deep expertise and a robust network tailored specifically to the unique challenges and opportunities within the consumer market.

The firm primarily invests in Seed, Series A, and occasionally Series B rounds, seeking to partner with founders who are disrupting traditional industries or creating entirely new consumer experiences. Listen is distinguished by its hands-on, operational approach, often described as a "venture builder" rather than just a capital provider. They actively leverage their team's extensive experience in brand development, marketing, distribution, and strategic growth to support their portfolio companies. This collaborative model aims to accelerate the growth and market penetration of the brands they back, helping them navigate the competitive consumer environment.

Listen has demonstrated consistent growth in its funding capacity, recently closing its fourth fund, Listen IV, at a significant $120 million in 2023. This latest fund brings their total capital raised across all funds to over $300 million, underscoring their increasing influence in the consumer venture space. With Fund IV, Listen typically deploys initial investments ranging from $1 million to $10 million, aiming to secure meaningful ownership stakes and provide ample runway for their portfolio companies. Their investment philosophy centers on long-term partnerships, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to help consumer brands achieve sustainable success and market leadership.