Capital

The FY23 Vermont Seed Capital Fund Annual Report can be found here.

All are welcome. VCET is a safe, authentic, and inclusive place for entrepreneurs to seek capital, counsel, and community. So, come as you are, from wherever your business is at, and with whatever you have, to chat with us about your idea or business. No pressure and no formal pitching. It’s just how we roll. VCET manages and invests over $15M in “evergreen” venture capital across two funds. With capital contributed from VCET, the State of Vermont and the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), the Vermont Seed Capital Fund, LP (“Fund 1”) started investing in 2010 and in early 2024 VCET launched its new Vermont Growth Fund 2, LLC (“Fund 2”). Our team likes to dig in to help you prepare for and identify the financial support your company needs to start and scale here — whether that’s through direct investment by Fund 1 or 2, accessing research and private grants, or using our syndicate of private investors.

We understand that a venture-style investment from the Vermont Seed Capital Fund isn’t for everyone. No problem. We leverage our networks to help prepared teams find the right investor for their companies. If you are interested in investment from the VCET funds, or in finding another local source for an immediate need, then please tell us about your company: venture@vcet.co.

 

Investment Portfolio

View a selection of these companies below:

ZymoChem

ZymoChem

ZymoChem is accelerating the transition to a real-zero economy with bio-based materials for everyday items.

Rigorous

Rigorous

Rigorous designs and deploys custom robotics for sustainable farms, manufacturing facilities, and marine systems.

Vernal Biosciences, Inc.

Vernal Biosciences, Inc.

Vernal Biosciences supplies high purity mRNA, from concept to the clinic.

NextCapital

NextCapital

NextCapital provides institutions with an integrated and configurable platform to deliver automated personal financial advice.
Acquired by Goldman Sachs.

Benchmark Space Systems

Benchmark Space Systems

Benchmark Space Systems offers low-cost propulsion systems for the rapidly growing small satellite market.

Northern Reliability

Northern Reliability

Northern Reliability designs, builds, installs and services ultra-reliable electric power storage systems.
Acquired by KORE Power.

KORE Power

KORE Power

KORE Power delivers innovative energy storage solutions to markets worldwide. Customers benefit from their dedicated partnerships and fast response times.

ApprentiScope

ApprentiScope

ApprentiScope helps companies scale their workforce efficiently with powerful tools for managing, tracking, and reporting all aspects of registered apprenticeships.

Widewail, Inc

Widewail, Inc

Widewail is an online engagement partner for brands and companies interested in online reputation and reviews management.

Hear Forward

Hear Forward

Hear Forward frees the intelligence locked in social media, through proprietary algorithms and visualization.
Acquired.

Faraday

Faraday

Faraday optimizes every stage of the B2C revenue journey, from acquisition to retention using AI and machine learning.

OhMD

OhMD

OhMD is HIPAA compliant texting and telehealth that enables efficient patient and team communication and an incredible patient experience.

Semiprobe

Semiprobe

Semiprobe supplies modular probe and inspection equipment for the semiconductor industry. Exited.

Sound Innovations

Sound Innovations

Sound Innovations designs noise reduction technology and protection for military and consumer uses.
Acquired 2014.

GPMS

GPMS

Green Power Monitoring Systems builds low-cost, lightweight prognostic health management systems.

Geopipe

Geopipe

Geopipe creates 3D copies of the real world for download and streaming into your software.

Visura

Visura

Visura is a curated marketplace and site builder that connects image buyers, media publications, and organizations with professional, diverse visual storytellers, and journalists worldwide.

Fluency

Fluency

Fluency provides an enterprise-level technology platform that automates critical, necessary, but repetitive and time-consuming tasks associated with digital advertising management.

Nomad Transportable Power Systems

Nomad Transportable Power Systems

Nomad is a KORE Power and NRI Company. Nomad's high-quality energy storage systems alleviate the burden on long-term ownership for customers while continuing to capture the short term benefits of their mobile system.

AutoPylot

AutoPylot

AutoPylot is an FAA-approved supplier of LAANC enabling drone pilots to access airspace, create missions, and track weather in 3 easy steps.

Verde Technologies

Verde Technologies

Next-generation, lightweight, flexible, affordable, and easily installable thin-film flexible perovskite solar cells.

Lost Lantern Whiskey

Lost Lantern Whiskey

Lost Lantern is an independent bottler of American whiskey, inspired by a long Scottish tradition.

VTDC Holdings aka Cannatrol

VTDC Holdings aka Cannatrol

The Cannatrol™ Cool Cure is designed for the home grower and offers pin-point Vaportrol® accuracy for drying, curing and storage in a compact form.

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Sectors

Sectors include, but are not limited to:

  • Life Sciences / BioTech
  • Renewable Energy
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Cyber Security / Internet of Things
  • Consumer Products
  • Financial Services Technologies
  • Ag Tech
  • Artificial Intelligence / Marketing
  • Aerospace/Aviation
  • New Mobility
  • Consumer Media & Commerce
  • Medical devices
  • Healthtech software and systems

Vermont Seed Capital Fund - "Fund 1"

The Vermont Seed Capital Fund, LP, “Fund 1”, is looking for select and diverse investment opportunities in early stage, high opportunity, technology enabled companies in Vermont. Objectives are to impact next generation job and wealth creation in Vermont by providing companies and entrepreneurs access to early stage risk capital. The fund is a revolving, “evergreen” equity fund with $6 million of initial capitalization from VCET, the State of Vermont and U.S. Senator Patrick J. Leahy. The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) is a strategic partner for this fund.

This is a professionally managed venture capital fund which invests exclusively into Vermont startups and growing firms determined as offering high growth potential, financial return commensurate with risk, and public benefit for Vermonters. Portfolio firms also have access to substantive programs, facilities, partners, and value-adding services offered via a strategic relationship with the non-profit VCET organization. To date, $5.6M has been invested into 34 companies.

Investment transactions from Fund 1 typically range from $25,000 to $250,000. The fund can act as lead investor or as part of investment syndicate.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

Any Vermont based start-up, emerging growth firm, or team seeking to form a new company, relocate or expand into Vermont is eligible for consideration except if your company:

  • Has last 12 month sales greater than $3 million
  • Has headquarters or principal team location outside of, or not committing substantially to Vermont
  • Is a restaurant, retail store or real estate project

Each company or proposal submitted is considered on an individual investment basis. Venture capital is a highly competitive source of private funding. The Fund targets market based investment returns from high opportunity businesses with exciting market opportunities, innovative technologies and credible founding teams.

The Process

Start the conversation with our team early to share ideas, help refine the opportunity or for simply advice on market conditions, valuation parameters and to demystify the venture capital raising process.

The investment process takes considerable time and effort, so be prepared and forewarned. Funding is highly competitive and not all worthy firms will be funded. This is not a grant program. The process includes:

Initial Screening

Firms will be reviewed for Fund eligibility, suitability, entrepreneur qualities, and initial assessment. A response declining to pursue, offering alternative funding sources, or seeking follow up information will result.

Initial Due Diligence

Firms experience an in-depth review and assessment on their markets, business model, financials & capital path, existing & prospective management team, technology & products, sales & distribution, and comparative advantages, among other areas.

Advanced Due Diligence

Few firms reach this step. Transaction structure, valuation, terms, corporate and legal due diligence and remaining questions are completed. If an investment is considered desirable and fund objectives can be attained, then an Investment Recommendation is prepared for the Investment Committee and any invited domain or subject matter experts.

Investment Decisions

The independent Investment Committee has final determination on the proposed term sheet and investment recommendation. This committee is responsible for the approval of all investments.

Adding Value and Infrastructure

Portfolio firms have unique and advantageous access, if they so select, to facilities, professionals, networks, specialized research assets, and strategic partners associated with the VCET organization. Fund Manager and VCET team are actively engaged with firms on building teams, accessing critical first customers, strategic partnerships, corporate strategy, networking and training opportunities, mergers and acquisitions, and executive mentoring. All of which lowers burn rates, lowers investment risk, hastens progress towards “value-changing” events, and increases probabilities for market based returns and success as Vermont based employers.

Follow-On Capital and Investment Exit

For most seed stage firms, follow-on funding is necessary to achieve their potential. We offer an exceptional network of local, regional, and national venture firms, corporate investors, angel investors, grant and debt options to fund firm growth and next stage development. Our team will be involved in sourcing follow-on capital and active regarding exit and liquidity opportunities.

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