The ‘GoDaddy of lending’: How LendAPI enables embedded finance at scale
Fintech startups are known for slick user experiences, but building them can be a major hurdle. Founders often have to stitch together a web of KYC/KYB systems, underwriting logic, compliance workflows, and loan origination tools — with limited capital and no backend infrastructure. Some are turning to platform solutions like LendAPI to speed up time […]
Featured.com Acquires Help A Reporter Out (HARO)
We’re excited to share a major milestone from one of our portfolio companies — Featured.com has acquired Help A Reporter Out (HARO) from Cision. Originally launched in 2008, HARO became the go-to platform for journalists seeking expert sources, and for professionals eager to share their insights with the media. Now, as AI-generated content floods the […]
New Investment into Benji
As a venture capitalist at Great North Ventures, I’m always looking for companies disrupting outdated industries with innovative solutions. That’s why I’m incredibly excited to share that we’ve invested in Benji, a startup poised to revolutionize loyalty rewards partnerships and integrations. The current landscape is ripe for disruption, and Benji’s next-generation platform offers a much-needed […]
The New Data Frontier: How Startups Are Transforming Industries Using Earth Observational Data
Advancements in technology are making satellite imagery more accessible than ever. Lower launch costs, improved data processing, and new drone capabilities are enabling industries to harness Earth observation data for specialized, high-impact solutions. From agriculture to logistics, companies are leveraging these tools to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and unlock new insights. New Tech That Makes […]
Reflections from Iowa Angel Investor Summit 2024
Yesterday, I attended the Iowa Angel Summit 2024 which was organized by Tej Dhawan, Managing Director of Plains Angels.
Know a Scrappy or Ultra Ambitious Startup? We’re Ready to Invest!
As we continue to deploy the remaining $24M from our early-stage Great North Ventures Fund II, we’re actively seeking exceptional startups to invest in. We are focused on two key profiles: the scrappy & efficient or the ultra-ambitious. Do you know a startup that fits one of these categories? Let us know! THE SCRAPPY & EFFICIENT […]
How Long Does It Take for a Startup to Get to a Big Exit?
Big exits are important for venture investors because they require large distributions to make up for any underperforming investments. How much capital is burnt to get to those big exits impacts the return multiple a venture investor will realize. Startups that grow in a capital efficient manner and achieve a big exit become the real […]
Let’s Celebrate the Two Year Anniversary of Great North Ventures Fund II
We announced our $41 Million Fund II back on May 23, 2022. On the two-year anniversary of our Fund II announcement, here’s a progress update- Team Update Future Outlook I’d like to personally thank each of our Fund II investors. It’s through their capital commitments which we are able to continue on our journey backing […]
Great North Ventures Invests in Mangxo to Revolutionize Credit Terms in Latam’s Construction Sector
Great North Ventures has invested in Mangxo, a company set to revolutionize the way construction material suppliers extend credit terms to subcontractors in Latin America. Mangxo provides an online credit tracking system for material suppliers. This innovation enables suppliers to offer flexible, interest-free credit options to subcontractors, fostering smoother financial operations and project execution. They […]
WithMe: A Startup Growth Story Fueled by Profits
Profitable growth is pretty rare to come by in the early stage startup world. This is the story of our portfolio company WithMe which provides printing and coffee amenity solutions to the multi-family real estate market. I first met WithMe Founder & CEO Jonathan Treble while visiting Chicago in April of 2019. During our initial […]