Curql Fund
Bridging the Gap Between Credit Unions & Fintech Companies
The Curql Fund is the only fund of its kind that helps credit unions excel in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape. By pooling resources and fostering collaboration among credit unions, it enables these institutions to effectively compete, scale their operations, and introduce innovative solutions that meet the ever-evolving needs of their members. The Curql Fund management team at Next Level Ventures, a strategic investment firm in Iowa, includes founders, operators, and leaders in fintech. We effectively combine extensive investment and financial service knowledge with years of experience in the fintech industry to produce unparalleled results.
What is the Curql Fund?
Curql Fund is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) established through the collective effort of 68 credit unions. Its mission is to enhance the relevance of credit unions in the fintech space, level the competitive playing field, and provide strategic investment opportunities. We bridge the gap between credit unions and fintech companies, ensuring that credit unions influence the development of solutions tailored to their needs.
The Curql Fund serves as the gateway for fintech access to credit unions. We differentiate ourselves by deploying capital rapidly, circumventing the lengthy decision-making processes typical of individual credit unions. Our approach, born from the collaborative innovation at Members Development Company (MDC), is backed by deep domain expertise. The fund managers at Next Level Ventures understand the intricacies of moving from concept to market and leverage this knowledge to drive impactful results.
How Does Curql Work?
The Curql Fund ignores status and focuses on technologies that positively transform how credit unions interact with their members and manage their financial services. We prioritize speed—speed of funding, speed to market, and speed in revolutionizing member experiences. This commitment ensures credit unions can swiftly adapt to new opportunities and innovations.
Though the initial Curql Fund is closed, credit unions can continue to engage with Curql through the Curql Collective. This subscriber-based ecosystem offers access to strategic investing insights, fintech innovations, and essential industry connections. The Curql Collective provides a platform for credit unions to stay informed and connected, enhancing their ability to leverage emerging opportunities.
What is Curql’s Investment Strategy?
Curql’s investment strategy targets fintech companies that are either established CUSOs or have the potential to form CUSO subsidiaries, ensuring direct benefits to credit unions and their members. The Curql Fund's investment management team at Next Level collaborates closely with credit union partners and the Curql Collective to share insights, gather feedback, and address the evolving needs of the movement. In just under two years, the fund has raised $250 million and invested in 19 fintech companies, showcasing our capacity to drive significant industry advancements for participating financial institutions.
Curql Fund’s distinctive approach fosters collaborative partnerships between credit unions and fintech companies. This collaboration fuels innovation and creates job opportunities within the fintech sector, enhancing services for credit unions and their portfolio companies. Our diverse portfolio features leading fintech companies such as Equipifi, Silvur, PatientFi, and DefenseStorm. For a comprehensive view of our fintech investments, please visit our portfolio page.
Founders, Operators, and Leaders in Fintech
Next Level Ventures, a strategic investment firm based in Iowa, excels in securing funding across various stages, from early startups to growth-stage companies, and provides strategic guidance that fosters long-term success. With over $400 million in assets across a portfolio of over 45 companies and two large-scale strategies (Curql and Midwest Funds), Next Level Ventures is a leader in capital management and business investment.
If you are a fintech company seeking strategic investment or a credit union looking to explore new opportunities, we invite you to contact us. Learn how Curql Fund and Next Level Ventures can support your business goals.