Starting Line (venture capital firm)

Starting Line is an early stage venture capital fund founded in 2018 and based in Chicago. They invest in consumer startups and brands which they feel are focused on serving the greatest amount of people. In this, they look for consumer focused technology they feel will democratize access to information, wealth and opportunity.

When investing, Starting Line invests from $750,000 to $1.25 million in seed rounds ranging from $1 million to $5 million. They don't reserve a lot of capital for follow-on rounds. Instead, Starting Line invests 80% of their capital upfront and reserve only 20% for follow-on. They believe this strategy benefits their portfolio companies because it reduces the amount of companies Starting Line invests into in a year, it more closely aligns the portfolio companies goals with Starting Line's goals and they feel it allows portfolio companies to spend more time on product development and less in funding.