Gazelle TechVentures

Gazelle TechVentures was one of Indianapolis's first technology-focused venture capital firms, founded in 1999 to invest in promising tech startups and prevent them from leaving Indiana for the coasts. Don N. Aquilano joined as Managing Director in April 2000 and became the firm's sole Managing Director four months later. Despite launching just before the dot-com crash of 2000 and the disruption of September 11, 2001, Gazelle's 2000 vintage fund ranked in the top quartile for venture funds nationally, demonstrating the firm's capacity to identify durable companies in adverse conditions. Gazelle invested at the seed, Series A, and Series B stages across a broad range of sectors, including biotech, software, healthcare, financial services, hardware, media, semiconductors, and telecom. The firm led rounds and took active roles in portfolio companies. Notable investments included Rubicon Technology (later NASDAQ:RBCN, where Aquilano served as executive chairman), AuthorHouse (self-publishing), and eTapestry (nonprofit fundraising software, founded by Jay Love). Portfolio companies operated out of Bloomington, Chicago, and Indianapolis, completing IPOs and acquisitions. In 2009, Gazelle TechVentures was renamed Allos Ventures, which continues to invest in Midwest-based technology startups from offices in Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Don Aquilano went on to co-found Allos Ventures and remains its Managing Director. Gazelle's legacy is as the firm that established Indianapolis as a viable hub for technology venture investing during one of the most difficult periods in the sector's history.