Capitalize VC

Capitalize VC is a Chicago-based venture capital firm led by Tessa Flippin, with a strong focus on empowering diverse founders, particularly from Black and Latinx communities. Their investment strategy revolves around early-stage (pre-seed and seed) startups in sectors such as enterprise technology, consumer products (CPG), and fintech. By concentrating on businesses that intersect with commerce enablement and infrastructure, Capitalize VC aims to address the growing needs of underserved markets. The fund targets investments primarily in the Midwest, with check sizes ranging from $50k to $250k. Capitalize VC is particularly active in driving diversity in entrepreneurship, with a mission to close the racial wealth gap by scaling products that bring Black and Latinx culture into the mainstream. Their portfolio includes a variety of startups, focusing on consumer tech and scalable enterprise solutions. Capitalize typically participates in rounds but may not always lead, making them an ideal partner for founders looking for both capital and a mission-aligned investor. Startups seeking their backing are encouraged to present innovations that reflect the fund’s core values of inclusivity and impact.