Notre Dame Pit Road Fund

Pit Road Fund, established in 2018, is a venture capital fund housed within the IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame. The fund focuses on early-stage investments in startups tied to the university ecosystem, including faculty, students, alumni, and members of the South Bend-Elkhart regional community. With an emphasis on commercializing innovative technologies, Pit Road Fund targets ventures that leverage cutting-edge research and new technologies across various sectors. Pit Road Fund is industry-agnostic but prioritizes startups that can disrupt existing industries through advancements in technology. The fund typically provides pre-seed, seed, and Series A funding, helping these ventures achieve market validation and scale rapidly. As part of its strategy, the fund not only invests capital but also offers hands-on support, working closely with founders to ensure that their startups are venture-backable and equipped for future rounds of financing. The fund is part of Notre Dame’s broader effort to foster entrepreneurship and innovation within its community. By offering mentorship and facilitating strategic partnerships, Pit Road Fund plays a critical role in helping early-stage companies transition from concept to commercialization. Startups supported by the fund benefit from the IDEA Center’s network, receiving guidance on everything from product development to go-to-market strategies