Potawatomi Ventures

Potawatomi Ventures is a private equity and passive investment firm, established in 2002 as the economic development and diversification arm of the Forest County Potawatomi Community. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it is 100% tribally owned with over $120M in total equity. The firm also operates federal and commercial business lines, runs the Bwadwét Innovation Community supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, and hosts economic development events like its annual Gathering Economic Summit and Business Expo. Its focus spans healthcare, technology, finance, real estate, and hospitality. Notable holdings include BAMF Health, Bluestem, Irgens, Summit Hotel Properties, and Lyons Electric, alongside passive investments in funds like Idea Fund and VC 414. Investment criteria differ by type: passive investments target partners with proven track records and regular cash distributions, while acquisitions require at least three years of positive cash flow, an established track record, and typically a controlling interest. Their approach favors long-term, diversified, criteria-based growth over speculative bets.