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Starting Line

Chicago, Illinois · Invests in US; Europe · Website

Pre-SeedSeedConsumer Apps & SocialE-commerce & MarketplacesFood & BeverageB2B SaaSDeveloper ToolsData & AnalyticsFintech & PaymentsHealthcare & Digital HealthDeveloper Tools & Infrastructure

Thesis

Early-stage consumer startups leveraging technology to be cheaper and better, expanding market access. Back bold founders willing to take substantial personal risks and reshape categories. Focus on 99% economy democratizing access.

Likely not a fit for

Late-stage companies (Series B+), business services or B2B software (minimal), traditional finance structures, founders without skin in the game, founders optimizing for exit timing rather than category expansion.

How they invest

Lead or follow
Usually leads
Typical decision
~2 weeks
Warm intro
Not required
Involvement
Takes a board seat
Fund status
Actively deploying
Decision process
Partnership vote

Partners & team

4 contacts on file

HK

Haley Kwait Zollo

PartnerPartner · Primary contact

+ Pitch

LinkedIn profile

X profile

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EG

Ezra Galston

PartnerPartner

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LinkedIn profile

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SH

Scott Holloway

PartnerPartner

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LinkedIn profile

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AO

Ade Olonoh

Venture PartnerVenture Partner

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Portfolio

PresenceHealthcare Digital

Presence Sleep offers a comprehensive sleep system designed to support parents and their children in achieving better sleep through personalized plans and expert guidance.

PathEnterprise Software

Path Power, Inc. is focused on revolutionizing the energy sector by providing innovative underground power solutions. Their approach aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of power distribution.

BoomcorpGaming

Boom Corp, founded in March 2020 and based in Tampere, Finland, is dedicated to fostering a workplace culture of open communication, mutual respect, and personal growth. Their flagship product, Boom Slingers, launched globally in December 2020, has attracted over 1.5 million players and continues to receive regular feature updates.

RiffsyMedia Entertainment

Riffsy, now known as Tenor, helps people find the right GIF at the right moment. It provides a GIF Keyboard for visual expression in digital communication and powers GIF sharing for various partners through its API.

Ubiquitous Influence

Ubiquitous Influence offers a free online course, Ubiquitous University, which focuses on influencer marketing strategies. The course teaches participants how to create successful campaigns, select the right influencers, and measure campaign performance, providing exclusive resources to enhance learning.

Cameo

Cameo is a platform that connects fans with their favorite celebrities, allowing users to request personalized video messages for any occasion. With a diverse range of stars from actors to athletes, Cameo offers a unique way to celebrate milestones and create memorable moments.

Reclip

Reclip is an innovative platform that captures and saves audio moments after they happen, allowing users to share real-life experiences in a unique way. By running in the background, Reclip retains the last two minutes of audio from a user's microphone, enabling them to save and edit these moments for future sharing.

Made in Cookware

Made In Cookware is a premium cookware brand that focuses on providing high-quality kitchen essentials for both home cooks and professional chefs. Their product range includes cookware, knives, and tabletop items, all designed to enhance the cooking experience while promoting clean cooking practices.

Attain

Attain is transforming the data sharing ecosystem by providing a platform that prioritizes consumer privacy while enabling brands to access relevant consumer data. Their solutions include tools for reaching high-intent audiences, understanding shopper insights, and measuring the impact of media exposure on sales outcomes.

Agent

Agentio is an AI-native platform designed to revolutionize creator advertising by enabling brands to buy, measure, and scale creator ads across platforms like Instagram and YouTube. The platform automates the entire workflow from campaign strategy to performance tracking, allowing brands to efficiently connect with creators and optimize their advertising efforts.

Airvet

Airvet is a leading pet telehealth company that provides comprehensive care for pet families through on-demand access to licensed veterinarians and pet care providers. Founded in 2018, Airvet aims to modernize the pet care experience by offering services such as telehealth consultations, pet insurance, and wellness plans, all designed to support pet parents and improve employee productivity.

Anycreek

AnyCreek is an all-in-one operating system designed specifically for modern outdoor businesses and guides. Launched in 2022, it empowers guides and outfitters by providing tools for calendar management, payments, marketing, and client information, streamlining the process of running an outdoor business.

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Research briefRead more
Starting Line VC Research Overview & Investment Thesis Starting Line is a Chicago-based seed-stage venture capital firm founded in 2018 by Ezra Galston. The firm invests in early-stage consumer startups building products and services that leverage technology to be cheaper and better, open up access, and ultimately expand markets. Starting Line explicitly targets the "99% economy"—businesses that d

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