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Brian Bispala is a Managing Partner at Great North Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. He is also a highly successful entrepreneur and operator, known for co-founding Sport Ngin (now SportsEngine).
Brian Bispala primarily invests in early-stage B2B software, SaaS, and other technology companies. His focus areas include enterprise software, AI/ML, fintech, health tech, agtech, and supply chain technology, often with a strong emphasis on the Midwest region.
Brian Bispala works as a Managing Partner at Great North Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to investing in and supporting promising technology startups.
Brian Bispala is an Investor and Advisor at Great North Ventures based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He previously co-founded the cybersecurity and data protection company Code42 in 2001, spending over fifteen years scaling its engineering, product, and technical operations. During his tenure, he helped the enterprise software firm secure over $130 million in venture funding before its eventual acquisition by Mimecast in July 2024. Bispala also co-founded the technology startup Rambl and holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota. At Great North Ventures, which closed a $54 million second fund in late 2021, he evaluates early-stage technology startups and recently supported OCN's $86 million Series A funding round in July 2024. His current investment focus centers on enterprise software, cybersecurity, vertical artificial intelligence, embedded finance, and next-generation digital manufacturing and logistics.
Brian Bispala stands as a prominent figure in the early-stage venture capital landscape, serving as a Managing Partner at Great North Ventures. His journey into investment is uniquely shaped by a distinguished career as an entrepreneur and operator, providing him with invaluable firsthand experience in building and scaling successful technology companies.
At Great North Ventures, Brian plays a pivotal role in identifying, evaluating, and nurturing high-potential startups. His responsibilities encompass deal sourcing, rigorous due diligence, and providing strategic guidance to portfolio companies. He is deeply involved in the firm's overall strategy, ensuring Great North Ventures remains at the forefront of innovation and support for the burgeoning Midwest tech ecosystem. Brian's approach is hands-on, leveraging his operational insights to help founders navigate the complexities of product development, market entry, and growth.
Brian's investment focus at Great North Ventures is primarily on early-stage technology companies, particularly those in the B2B software and SaaS sectors. He actively seeks out innovative solutions in areas such as enterprise software, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), fintech, health tech, agtech, and supply chain technology. While the firm invests broadly, there is a strong emphasis on supporting companies that are either based in or have a significant connection to the Midwest region, aiming to foster local economic growth and technological advancement.
Prior to his impactful role as an investor, Brian Bispala built a remarkable entrepreneurial track record. He is widely recognized as the co-founder and former CEO of Sport Ngin (now SportsEngine), a leading sports management software platform that was successfully acquired by NBC Sports Group. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs inherent in the startup journey, from initial concept to successful exit. His background as an operator gives him a unique empathy for founders and an acute ability to discern viable business models and strong leadership teams. Beyond Sport Ngin, Brian held various leadership positions where he honed his skills in corporate development, strategy, and team building.
Brian's blend of entrepreneurial success and investment acumen makes him an exceptionally valuable partner for early-stage companies. He not only provides crucial capital but also offers mentorship, strategic advice, and access to an extensive network, all designed to accelerate growth and mitigate risks for the next generation of tech innovators. His commitment to fostering a vibrant startup community, particularly in the Midwest, underscores his dedication to both financial returns and broader economic impact.
