Refinery Ventures

Since our launch in 2017, Refinery’s vision has always been to serve exceptional leaders. We invest in early-scale tech companies with demonstrated product-market fit. The Refinery approach You have to overcome gravity to get into space. We think of growth as removing constraints rather than pushing a string up a hill – and one of the biggest challenges for founders outside of big capital venture locations is receiving the funding they need in the early scale stage. We work with startup companies in emerging venture markets, providing the mentorship and support they need to build a successful business. We’re proud of our hometown hustle and our roots in the Midwest. We work hard to create our own opportunities, even when that means investing where others won’t. Laying the right foundation is what allows companies to go from seed to scale to hypergrowth. And the impact of one life-changing investment goes beyond the company, with the potential to transform communities. When we evaluate companies, we are looking for teams that exhibit the energy, perseverance, and commitment it takes to see their vision come to life. We value leaders who are hungry to learn and are open to feedback. We like working with early-scale tech companies with a solution that is compelling enough to overcome what the market currently has. The people we invest in have a clear vision of how they’re going to change their market, have a deep understanding of their industry, and see what other people don’t see.