Jumpstart Ventures

JumpStart Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on empowering visionary tech founders with critical resources, industry connections, and early-stage capital. The firm primarily invests in high-potential, early-stage technology startups across Ohio and the Midwest, aiming to drive economic impact and deliver top-quartile venture capital returns. They offer a continuum of capital from Pre-Seed through Series A and Series B stages, supporting companies in their critical growth phases.

Founded in 2011, JumpStart Ventures operates as the investing arm of JumpStart Inc., a nationally recognized nonprofit venture development organization. This structure allows the firm to combine venture capital investments with broader economic development initiatives, fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. The firm has built a national network of co-investment partners, including institutional and corporate venture capitalists, to facilitate follow-on funding for its portfolio companies.

The firm's investment thesis centers on backing companies with breakthrough, market-driven technologies that are positioned to excel in high-opportunity markets. JumpStart Ventures has a strong focus on business-to-business (B2B) enterprise software and healthcare technologies. Notable investments include companies like Ethermed, Abre, Orthobrain, OnStation, Cleveland Diagnostics, Axuall, and Onshift. The firm manages several funds, including Evergreen, NEXT, Focus, and the Healthcare Collaboration Fund, which collectively provide capital across various stages and sectors.

The JumpStart Ventures team comprises dedicated experts with extensive venture capital experience, delivering a founder-first experience to their portfolio companies. Key team members include Managing Partners Shradha Agarwal, Rishi Shaw, and Hardik Desai, along with Investment Principal Joshua Borstein, Ph.D., and Fund Managers Will Stabler and Bethany George. The team's diverse backgrounds and collaborative approach aim to help startups navigate challenges, scale with confidence, and build market-defining companies.