Venture Capital Firms in Wisconsin

American Family Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of American Family Insurance, established in 2010 to invest in the future of the insurance industry. The firm operates across the full investment spectrum from incubation through growth stage, focusing on innovations that transform insurance product lines, adjacent vertical markets, and enabling technologies. With over $700 million in assets under management and limited partners representing $70 billion in premium, AFV has evolved from a single-LP model into a multi-limited partner institutional firm that brings both carrier expertise and venture capital perspective to its portfolio companies.Founded in 2010 as an internal innovation arm of American Family Insurance, AFV emerged from the recognition that insurance was undergoing profound transformation. The firm was designed to capitalize on this moment by positioning itself as a venture partner of choice, uniquely bridging the gap between established insurance carriers and innovative startups. Over its 16-year history, the firm has developed deep expertise combining 50+ years of venture capital experience with 120+ years of insurance industry knowledge across its team, allowing it to review over 1,500 companies annually and identify the most promising opportunities.AFV's portfolio encompasses more than 100 active investments spanning core insurance innovations, adjacent vertical markets, and enabling technologies. Notable portfolio companies include Clearcover, a digital-first auto insurance company; Elysian, which transforms claims processing with computer vision and AI; Wyze, a smart home IoT company; Venteur, which helps employers offer personalized health benefits; LeaseLock, providing lease insurance; and Turtlemint, a mobile platform for insurance agents. The firm has also achieved successful exits, including the acquisition of Networked Insights by American Family Insurance in 2017, Life360's IPO on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2019, and Neat Capital's acquisition by Lower.com in 2024.The firm maintains offices in Boston, Madison, Minneapolis, New York, and Philadelphia, with a team led by Head of American Family Ventures Eyal Karsh and supported by experienced investment professionals including managing directors, principals, and portfolio managers. AFV's investment approach typically involves first checks ranging from $250,000 to $10 million, with the firm providing not only capital but also strategic guidance, industry connections, and operational expertise drawn from its parent company's extensive insurance background. The firm's advisory network and platform services further support portfolio companies in navigating the complex insurance landscape and scaling their operations.

Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Northwestern Mutual, a Milwaukee-based financial services mutual company. Launched in 2016 with an initial fund size of $50 million, it has grown to manage over $300 million in assets, focusing on early-stage startups that transform consumer finance, health, and technology experiences. The firm pursues both financial returns and strategic partnerships. It has achieved five exits and activated collaborations with over a third of its portfolio companies. Led by a five-person team, including Chief Commercial Officer Aditi Javeri Gokhale and Managing Director Craig Schedler, the Ventures group typically invests between $500K and $5M per deal in areas like financial technology, insurtech, wealth management technology, healthcare, data analytics, and AI solutions. As the center of expertise within Northwestern Mutual for emerging technologies, the firm supports its portfolio companies through sustained funding, quarterly business reviews, and entrepreneur growth, co-investing with other VCs when aligned opportunities arise. Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures is also committed to impact investing, aimed at expanding financial access for underserved entrepreneurs and communities via support programs such as mentorship and training. Portfolio examples include companies like Trust and Will, which offers estate planning services, and Alkymi, focused on AI-driven middle office solutions. This aligns with the firm’s broader goals of enhancing advisor tools, improving client experiences, and advancing health data analytics.

Sixty8 Capital is a seed-stage venture capital firm dedicated to investing in undercapitalized founders and innovators. The firm focuses on entrepreneurs who have historically been overlooked by traditional venture capital, including Black, Brown, women, LGBTQ+, and disabled founders. Sixty8 Capital is industry-agnostic, with a particular interest in tech, tech-enabled, and Direct-To-Consumer (D2C) startups. They aim to generate significant venture returns by shining a light on talent in "flyover states" and the Midwest and South regions of the United States, addressing both geographic and demographic funding disparities.The firm was founded in 2019 by Kelli Jones and Paul Ehlinger, with a mission to level the playing field for diverse founders. Kelli Jones, as Managing Partner, and Paul Ehlinger, as co-founder, established Sixty8 Capital to build upon years of grassroots work, including Jones's previous efforts running Black tech incubators and pitch competitions through the Be Nimble Foundation. This approach integrates workforce development, accelerators, and capital to create a supportive ecosystem for their portfolio companies.Sixty8 Capital manages two funds, with Fund I closing at $20 million in 2021 and Fund II at $40 million in December 2024, bringing their total assets under management to $60 million. The firm typically writes initial checks in the $250,000 to $500,000 range and often leads seed rounds. Their portfolio includes companies such as Nopalera, Afterschool HQ, and Bump, spanning industries like personal products, educational software, and financial software. They are open to follow-on investments for companies demonstrating strong growth potential.The team at Sixty8 Capital, including Managing Partner Kelli Jones and Partner Nassir Criss, brings expertise in identifying and nurturing high-potential startups. They are committed to providing not just capital but also hands-on support, helping founders prepare for subsequent funding rounds, scale their teams, and develop their boards and advisors. The firm's operational presence includes offices in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Los Angeles, California, reinforcing their commitment to supporting diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems across the United States.