HispanicBusiness

Description: Helps insurance companies streamline their claims processing

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KB PARTNERS



Founded: 1996

Founders: Keith Bank and Byron Denenberg

Current (2nd) fund: $75 million (closed 2001)

Invested so far: All of it.

Typical investment: $3 million to $5 million

Strategy: KB Partners is in the process of winding down its operations and working with its four remaining portfolio companies toward exits. Meanwhile, Bank and Denenberg are investing their own capital as angel investors. Their investments range from $250,000 to $4 million.

Portfolio Companies:



Club Champion Golf

Founders: Keith Bank and Joe Lee

Founded: 2010

Funding: $1.15 million in Series A

Employees: 18

Description: A golf club custom-fitting and building service.

Outlook: Club Champion has four locations — three in the Chicago area and one in Philadelphia — and will open two more this year.



Fusion Risk Management

Founder: David Nolan

Description: Cloud-based risk management software



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EXCELERATE LABS



Founded: 2010

Founders: Troy Henikoff, Sam Yagan, Sandbox Industries and the I2A Fund

Current (2nd) fund: $1.5 million (closed 2011)

Invested so far: About $1 million

Typical investment: $25,000 in return for 6 percent equity

Strategy: Excelerate Labs is Chicago's leading incubator, meaning it admits about 10 startups annually and puts them through a three-month boot camp. The process concludes with Demo Day, where each company pitches to an audience of about 500 potential investors at the House of Blues.

Portfolio Companies:



Cureeo

Founder: Maida Swenson-Fortune

Founded: 2011

Funding: $25,000 via Excelerate Labs

Employees: 3

Description: An online marketplace for fine art.

Outlook: "In the coming year, we plan to create a substantial network of exceptional artists and to demystify the art buying process for thousands of people," Swenson-Fortune said.

Good Karma Clothing for Kids

Founder: Sharon Schneider

Description: A subscription service for baby clothes



Fibroblast

Founders: Dr. Andrew Albert and Scott Vold

Description: A cloud-based tool that helps doctors and patients with scheduling and referrals.



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FIRESTARTER FUND



Founded: 2012

Founders: Matt Moog and Brian Hand

Current (1st) fund: $5.7 million (closed 2012)

Invested so far: $525,00

Typical investment: $75,000 to $200,000

Strategy: FireStarter focuses on software as a service, e-commerce, and digital media and marketing. It invests in companies that are at or near revenue generation, with a business plan and well-developed technology. Portfolio Companies:



Retrofit

Founder: Jeff Hyman

Founded: 2011

Funding: $2.7 million in seed and Series A rounds

Employees: 20

Description: Retrofit is a weight-loss program that heavily relies on technology, including wireless activity trackers and wi-fi scales.

Outlook: "Our sole focus is making Retrofit the best possible product," Hyman said. "If we do that, and people successfully lose weight, the rest will take care of itself."

Kapow Events

Founders: Marc Halpin and Daniel McCormick

Description: Helps large companies host events for 20 to 100 guests — clients can select between pre-packaged or customized options



Tap.Me

Founder: Joshua Hernandez

Description: A technology platform that allows companies to advertise within mobile games.



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CERES VENTURE FUND



Founded: 2005

Founders: Sona Wang, Donna Williamson and Laura Pearl

Current (1st) fund: Undisclosed (closed 2006)

Invested so far: Two-thirds

Typical investment: $250,000 to $1 million

Strategy: Ceres focuses on health care, information technology and business services. About half of their deals involve women-led companies.

Portfolio Companies:



Zorch

Founder: Nicole Loftus

Year Founded: 2002

Funding: $7 million in Series A, B, C

Employees: 45

Description: Promotional products (mugs, T-shirts, pens) distributor for large businesses

Outlook: Zorch just launched a new technology that makes its sourcing process for T-shirts, mugs, hats, etc. more efficient, so clients, such as Citigroup and Chevron, save money.



Brill Street

Founders: David Frej and Nancy Lerner

Description: Helps companies find entry-level/Gen Y workers, often using social media



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NEW WORLD VENTURES



Founded: 1996

Founders: J.B. and Anthony Pritzker

Current Fund: Not applicable. The Pritzkers invest their own capital and do not raise money from outside investors.

Invested so far: Not applicable. It's a perpetual fund, meaning they are always open to deals.

Typical investment: $3 million to $25 million

Strategy: The Pritzkers, who are brothers, are looking for seasoned entreprenuers who have previously led or worked at startups and are focused on solving problems in large, growing markets. They occasionally make seed investments of $50,000 to $1 million.

Portfolio Companies:



Analyte Health

Founders: Dan Malven and Michelle Sobel

Founded: 2008

Funding: $14 million in Series A and B

Employees: 75

Description: Operates sexualhealth.com and STDtestexpress.com, which enables people to remotely order an STD test and receive the results online.

Outlook: "We hope to be the largest online STD clinic a year from now," said CEO Sridhar Murthy. The company will upgrade its services this fall, including accepting insurance and expanding its test offerings.

Sportvision

Founders: Stan Honey, Jerry Gepner and Bill Squadron

Description: A creator of sports marketing technology, most notably the yellow first-down line during NFL broadcasts.



SMS Assist

Founder: Mike Rothman

Description: Uses online technology to help companies manage and maintain buildings