InvestorKleiner Perkins is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, founded in the 1970s. It partners with entrepreneurs across various sectors, providing capital and resources from inception to IPO.
Cleveland Avenue
Cleveland Avenue is a Chicago-based venture capital firm that invests in lifestyle consumer brands and technology companies. Founded by Don and Liz Thompson in 2015, it focuses on disruptive innovations in foodservice, hospitality, and related sectors.
Online destinations
Find Cleveland Avenue online
Where to find this organization online, grouped by who runs each page. A link here does not mean the organization controls it.
Official links
Pages the organization runs itself.
Overview
Cleveland Avenue is a global venture capital firm founded by Don and Liz Thompson, based in Chicago, Illinois. The firm focuses on investing in lifestyle consumer brands and technology companies that aim to disrupt large and growing markets. Their investment strategy emphasizes customer solutions that enhance consumer lifestyles and foster sustainable growth. Notable portfolio companies include Beyond Meat, Rare Hare, and Rheaply. Cleveland Avenue also operates an innovation facility that supports research and development, consumer research, and showcases.
Focus
Cleveland Avenue invests in consumer products, industry-level technology, and social impact initiatives. The firm emphasizes customer solutions that enhance consumer lifestyles and seeks to support entrepreneurs who are committed to innovation and market disruption.
Support
Cleveland Avenue adds value to its portfolio companies by providing access to an innovation facility that supports research and development, consumer research, and showcases. The firm is committed to fostering sustainable growth and enhancing consumer lifestyles through its investments.
Questions
What are Cleveland Avenue's investment criteria?
Cleveland Avenue invests in lifestyle consumer brands and technology companies that disrupt large markets. The firm focuses on sectors such as food and beverage, healthcare, and climate, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and social impact.
How can I apply or pitch to Cleveland Avenue?
Founders can pitch their ideas through the firm's website at clevelandavenue.com. It is advisable to include a detailed business plan and financial projections in the pitch deck.
What makes Cleveland Avenue different from other VC firms?
Cleveland Avenue is distinguished by its commitment to diversity, particularly through its CAST US Fund, which mandates investments in minority-owned and women-founded businesses. The firm's leadership, particularly Don Thompson's background as the former CEO of McDonald's, provides unique insights into the food and beverage industry.
What is the geographic scope of Cleveland Avenue's investments?
The firm primarily invests in North America, focusing on the United States. It has a particular interest in supporting businesses based in Chicago's South and West Sides through its diversity initiatives.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Cleveland Avenue typically invests between $10 million and $50 million for growth-stage companies, with smaller amounts allocated for seed-stage investments. This allows the firm to support companies at various stages of their development.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Cleveland Avenue have?
The firm provides hands-on operational support to its portfolio companies, leveraging the extensive experience of its team. This includes assistance with research and development, consumer insights, and operational strategies to help companies scale effectively.
Check your startup’s fit
Check your startup’s fit with Cleveland AvenueSimilar investors
Organizations that do similar work to Cleveland Avenue.
Investor
InvestorFounders Fund is a venture capital firm based in the United States, founded in 2005. It invests in technology companies across various sectors and stages.
InvestorYour gateway to global alternative investments.
InvestorHighland Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in the United States, focused on early-stage technology investments. Founded in 1987, it has a strong portfolio with significant exits and IPOs.
Superscout Pro
Find faster. Show up verified. Keep your deals private.
$99a year, or $12 a month
Get Pro- Search that narrowsInvestors, programs, accelerators, incubators and studios, by stage, sector and place.
- A verified profileThe people you reach know you are who you say you are.
- A private deal vaultThe startups you are watching, with your notes and your reasons. Nobody else's eyes.
Is this page right?Reviewed · How the research works