Starting Line

Starting Line is a Chicago-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments, primarily targeting Pre-Seed and Seed rounds. Established with a clear focus, the firm backs promising startups within the consumer and enterprise software sectors. While rooted in the Midwest, Starting Line maintains a national investment scope, seeking out innovative companies across the United States that are poised for significant growth and disruption in their respective markets.

The firm is known for its strategic approach to early-stage funding, often taking a lead investor role in its portfolio companies. Starting Line typically writes initial checks ranging from $750,000 to $1.5 million, providing crucial capital for nascent ventures to develop their products, scale their teams, and achieve key milestones. Beyond the initial investment, Starting Line also reserves capital for follow-on rounds, demonstrating a long-term commitment to its portfolio companies' success and growth trajectory. This commitment helps founders navigate subsequent funding stages with a consistent partner.

Since its inception, Starting Line has demonstrated a strong growth trajectory in its own right, successfully raising multiple funds to expand its investment capacity. The firm closed its first fund at $17 million, followed by a $30 million second fund, and most recently, a $50 million third fund. This progressive increase in fund size underscores investor confidence in Starting Line's investment thesis and its ability to identify and nurture high-potential startups. With a portfolio exceeding 50 companies, Starting Line actively supports its founders with hands-on guidance and a founder-friendly approach, aiming to be a valuable partner beyond just capital provision.