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§ Venture Capital · USA
Pre-seed venture capital fund investing in commerce-enablement technology and consumer brands for e-commerce solutions.
Capitalize VC is a Chicago, Illinois-based pre-seed venture capital firm that invests in commerce-enablement technology companies and consumer brands while prioritizing diverse founding teams. The firm manages a $10 million fund and allocates its capital by directing seventy percent toward high-growth technology startups and thirty percent toward consumer packaged goods businesses. Operating with three staff members and an eight-person investment committee, the firm writes initial checks ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for its portfolio. The organization has built a portfolio of approximately thirty companies, which includes early-stage investments in startups such as Digiphy, Symphonie, and Waitify. Their investment criteria specifically target technology platforms with total addressable markets exceeding $1 billion and consumer brands generating between $250,000 and $3 million in annual revenue. Capitalize VC was established in 2021 by solo general partner Tessa Flippin.
Key people at Capitalize VC.
Capitalize VC is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage startups with a mission to empower diverse founders and drive innovation that transforms industries. The firm emphasizes a data-driven, scalable investment philosophy that seeks to identify and support high-potential entrepreneurs regardless of their network or geography. Capitalize VC primarily targets sectors such as technology, healthcare, and business software, aiming to modernize industries and foster sustainable growth. Its impact on the startup ecosystem includes creating opportunities for underrepresented founders and accelerating the development of breakthrough companies that address significant market needs.
Founded in the early 2010s by a group of experienced investors and entrepreneurs, Capitalize VC emerged from a shared vision to challenge traditional venture capital models by leveraging technology and data to improve investment outcomes. The founding partners brought backgrounds in technology investing, entrepreneurship, and operational expertise. Over time, the firm evolved from a conventional VC approach to a more systematic, technology-enabled model that prioritizes early-stage innovation and founder diversity, reflecting a commitment to reshaping the venture ecosystem.
Capitalize VC rides the wave of increasing demand for more inclusive and efficient venture capital models that harness technology to democratize access to funding. The timing is crucial as the startup ecosystem becomes more global and diverse, with market forces favoring firms that can identify untapped talent and innovation early. By promoting diversity and leveraging data, Capitalize VC influences the broader ecosystem by setting new standards for equity and effectiveness in venture investing, helping to create a more resilient and dynamic innovation economy.
Looking ahead, Capitalize VC is poised to expand its influence by deepening its commitment to underrepresented founders and scaling its technology platform to enhance deal sourcing and portfolio management. Emerging trends such as AI-driven investment analysis, decentralized finance, and healthcare innovation will shape its journey. The firm’s evolving role may include becoming a catalyst for systemic change in venture capital, fostering a more equitable and impactful investment landscape that benefits entrepreneurs, investors, and society alike. This forward momentum ties back to its founding mission of rebuilding venture capital to be more scalable, sustainable, and inclusive.
Capitalize VC has 14 tracked investments across 13 companies. The latest tracked deal is $680K Seed in Podonos in March 2025.
Key people at Capitalize VC.
