Elevate Ventures Invests $660K in 15 Companies

July 12, 2021. INDIANAPOLIS. — Elevate Ventures has invested $660,000 in 15 companies across Indiana through Elevate Nexus Regional Pitch Competitions. The 15 can now compete for an additional $320,000 in investment during the upcoming Kinetic conference in August.

The investments are a shot in the arm for companies with high potential to create wealth and well-paying jobs of tomorrow.

“Determination is key to entrepreneurship, and we’ve now seen companies compete multiple years in a row, improve their product and become ready for funding,” said Landon Young, executive director of university initiatives at Elevate Ventures. “We also have some new higher education institutions represented this year. Entrepreneurship is truly happening in every part of the state.”

The 15 were chosen from among 49 finalists that had been invited to pitch at one of three competitions throughout the state; 99 applied to compete. Of the 15 investments, nine were pre-seed and six were seed stage. Most of the winners are connected to universities:

Northern Indiana

• Pre-Seed ($20,000 investment)
  • Adapta Education; South Bend; University of Notre Dame
  • MPB Essential Technology; Merrillville; Purdue University Northwest
  • Sleep Easy Technology; South Bend; University of Notre Dame
• Seed ($80,000 investment)
  • Digital Trade School; South Bend; University of Notre Dame
  • Juke Technologies; South Bend; University of Notre Dame

Central Indiana

• Pre-Seed ($20,000 investment)
  • Araqev; Munster; Purdue University
  • Cappers Collective LLC; Indianapolis; DePauw University
  • Everewear; Noblesville; Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
• Seed ($80,000 investment)
  • Adipo Therapeutics; Indianapolis; Purdue University
  • Escalated Solutions; Carmel

Southern Indiana

• Pre-Seed ($20,000 investment)
  • FoodMeets; Carmel; Indiana University
  • Menstrual Mates; West Lafayette; Indiana University
  • Wayzada; Bloomington; Indiana University
• Seed ($80,000 investment)
  • Atlas Solutions; Bloomington
  • Deep Word; Bloomington; Indiana University

“Atlas is so thankful for the continued support from Elevate and our regional entrepreneur-in-residence,” said Ansley Fender, founder and CEO of Atlas Solutions in Bloomington. “This funding will help us build additional features and hire a sales lead.”

In addition to being recognized as Elevate portfolio companies, all 15 winners have the opportunity to compete for $320,000 during Kinetic on Aug. 12. The $320,000 will be distributed among five companies.

To stay up to date on future competitions, deadline reminders and program updates, sign up for the Elevate Nexus newsletter.