Winnebago Seed Fund
ActiveVenture Capital
Updated: ·
Financial History
Total Raised
N/A
Valuation
N/A
Leadership Team
Key people at Winnebago Seed Fund.
Key people at Winnebago Seed Fund.
Key people at Winnebago Seed Fund.
The Winnebago Seed Fund is a venture capital fund based in Neenah, Wisconsin, focused on seed-stage investments primarily in startup companies within Northeast Wisconsin and the broader state. Its mission is to generate strong investor returns by partnering with talented local entrepreneurs to rapidly scale their businesses. The fund follows a "Money for Minnows" investment philosophy, aiming to be the first investor in new companies, sometimes even helping to form companies around product inventors. It is industry-agnostic but has invested in sectors including Web3, consumer services, fintech, and enterprise software. By leveraging local knowledge and resources, the fund plays a pivotal role in accelerating business growth and fostering innovation within the Wisconsin startup ecosystem[1][2][3][5].
Founded in 2016, the Winnebago Seed Fund was created to address the need for early-stage capital in Wisconsin, particularly in the Fox Valley region. The fund is managed by David Trotter, a Northeast Wisconsin native with a strong background in finance and portfolio management, including managing over $350 million in client assets. Trotter collaborated with local business leaders to develop investment criteria focused on Wisconsin entrepreneurs, resulting in the establishment of the fund. The fund’s approach builds on a proven investment model previously employed by Kegonsa Capital Partners, emphasizing early-stage investments with a typical check size of $400,000 to $500,000 to provide about 18 months of runway for startups[1][3][5].
The Winnebago Seed Fund rides the trend of regional venture capital focusing on underserved startup ecosystems outside traditional tech hubs. By concentrating on Wisconsin, it taps into a growing pool of entrepreneurial talent and innovation that benefits from localized knowledge and resources. The timing aligns with increased national attention on diversifying startup investment geographically, supported by market forces favoring early-stage capital in emerging regions. The fund’s presence strengthens the Midwest’s startup ecosystem by providing critical seed funding, mentorship, and validation, helping to retain and grow tech talent and innovation locally rather than losing it to coastal hubs[2][4].
Looking ahead, the Winnebago Seed Fund is well-positioned to continue expanding its influence in Wisconsin’s startup scene by increasing deal flow and potentially raising additional capital to support more entrepreneurs. Trends such as the rise of Web3, fintech innovation, and consumer technology will likely shape its investment focus. Its role as a lead investor and ecosystem builder will deepen, potentially attracting more co-investors and fostering a more vibrant regional tech community. As the fund scales, it may also influence broader Midwest venture capital dynamics by demonstrating the viability and returns of investing in non-traditional startup regions[1][2][4].
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2022 | Pagedip | $100K Seed | — | Cream City Venture Capital, Plug & Play Ventures |
| Nov 1, 2020 | Socialeads | $2.0M Series A | — | Cream City Venture Capital |
| Nov 1, 2020 | AirDeck | $3.0M Seed | — | Cream City Venture Capital, Plug & Play Ventures |
| Jun 1, 2020 | AirDeck | $500K Seed | — | Cream City Venture Capital, Plug & Play Ventures |
| Jul 1, 2018 | Socialeads | $830K Seed | — | Cream City Venture Capital |
