Cream City Venture Capital

Cream City Venture Capital is a corporate venture capital fund backed by Northwestern Mutual, founded in 2017 and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The fund invests exclusively in technology startups headquartered in southeast Wisconsin, backing founders who bring a deep point of view on the problems they are solving and the vision to see those solutions through. Northwestern Mutual has committed $15 million to the fund, with the initial $5 million investment followed by an additional $10 million to expand its regional impact. The fund targets Seed and Series A companies across software, SaaS, fintech, healthtech, and AI, writing initial checks of $100,000 to $250,000. With 14 investments completed, Cream City has built a portfolio spanning multiple technology verticals within the Wisconsin ecosystem. The firm's check size is flexible for the right teams, prioritizing conviction over formula. Craig Schedler, Venture Partner, Managing Director, and Founder, and Stig Haagensen, Senior Director of Digital Innovation at Northwestern Mutual, lead the fund's operations. Beyond capital, Cream City provides portfolio companies access to Northwestern Mutual's broader corporate ecosystem — including distribution relationships, operational networks, and strategic guidance — at critical growth inflection points.