Organization · Venture Capital
Network Ventures
Network Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in Chicago, focusing on companies that build network effects. The firm invests primarily in the Midwest but considers opportunities beyond its core geography.
Overview
What Network Ventures does
What Network Ventures is
Network Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in Chicago, focusing on companies that build network effects. The firm invests primarily in the Midwest but considers opportunities beyond its core geography.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2016
- Approximate age
- About 10 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Community
- Last reviewed
- March 30, 2026
Official channels
Find Network Ventures elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Network Ventures as a funder
Investment thesis
Network Ventures backs founders with bold visions building products with network effects, which improve as user counts grow. They focus on early-stage investments in the Midwest, aiming to validate and lead funding rounds for innovative startups.
Focus narrative
Network Ventures invests in seed stage companies, typically providing $250,000 in funding for those raising their first $500,000 to $2 million in a pre-seed or seed round. The firm often serves as the first institutional investor, leading or participating in funding rounds. They seek technology companies that exhibit network effects, which improve as the user base grows, and are industry agnostic.
Value beyond capital
Network Ventures provides hands-on support to portfolio companies, leveraging nearly two decades of experience in the startup ecosystem. They foster a tight-knit community among founders through annual meetings, happy hours, and resource sharing, ensuring that their portfolio companies receive the guidance and connections needed to thrive.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $250,000
- Sweet spot
- $250,000
Focus and fit
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 30
- Recorded notable exits
- ShipBob and ApartmentJet
Portfolio context
Network Ventures has invested in a variety of notable companies, including: ShipBob: A logistics fulfillment service for e-commerce businesses and a unicorn. Marketplace.City: A platform for cities to find, validate, and implement new technologies. Lemonlight: A video production service. Giggster: A marketplace for film and photo production locations. Acorns: A financial service that helps families invest in children's futures. Spruce: A housekeeping service that operates on-demand. Marco Learning: An online feedback platform aimed at improving student writing skills.
Capability profile
Network Ventures as a community
Community overview
Network Ventures is a Midwest-based seed stage venture capital firm founded in 2016. With nearly 20 years of experience in working with startups, the organization aims to support founders and their teams through hands-on involvement. Network Ventures focuses on investing in companies that are building network effects, which improve as the user base grows. The firm operates a community-driven model, making a small number of investments per year to ensure high-touch engagement with portfolio companies.
Community focus
Network Ventures primarily invests in seed stage companies, typically providing $250,000 in funding for those raising their first $500,000 to $2 million in a pre-seed or seed round. While the firm is focused on the Chicago and Midwest regions, it also considers investments outside this geography if sourced through their network. The firm is industry agnostic and seeks to back passionate founders across various sectors.
Member value
Members of the Network Ventures community benefit from high-touch involvement, access to a network of founders, and opportunities for peer resource sharing. The firm hosts annual meetings, happy hours, and dinners to foster connections among founders and provide a supportive environment for growth.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 30
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
Network Ventures organizes annual meetings, happy hours, and dinners for its community members, facilitating networking and resource sharing among founders.
Notable members
Notable portfolio companies include ShipBob, Hunt Club, Lemonlight, 86 Repairs, and Marketplace.City. Jeff Maters serves as the Founder and Managing Director.
Common questions
What to know about Network Ventures
Upseed classifies Network Ventures under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 30, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.