As one of the Midwest's leading investment companies, we have backed several exciting businesses. As a highly strategic investment firm, we back our fintech investments throughout all stages. From startup funding through growth stage capital management, we provide unparalleled investment management.
We are always seeking new and innovative companies to join our investment portfolio. We encourage companies seeking investment to learn more about our funds in order to find the investment opportunity best suited for them.
Capital: As a leading Iowa investment firm, we provide funding for technology companies throughout the Midwest. We invest in companies ranging from seed stage to growth stage. Typically, we invest $0.5 to $5.0 million per company. Through our strong relationships with our investment partners, we can do even larger transactions.
Focus: As an established capital investment company, we deliver valuable partnerships with our portfolio companies. We invest in national fintechs with the backing of some of the largest credit unions in the nation. As an investment firm in Des Moines, we also invest in innovative Iowa businesses to strengthen our local economic ecosystem.

The Curql fund focuses on providing fintech investment in capital management to promising fintech companies nationwide. Curql helps tech companies in the financial sector to excel in the highly competitive and fast-paced banking environment.
For almost a decade, our Midwest funds have helped provide startup funding and resources for Midwest businesses. As an IA investment firm, we are actively seeking investments in Iowa to bolster our local economy.
Neural Payments
Neural Payments connects financial institutions to payment innovations.
Neural Payments was created to assist financial institutions in adopting change at or ahead of market pace. Its products help to build digital adoption, lower transaction costs, limit exposure to fraud, and simplify technology integrations in order to successfully navigate those challenges.
Credit Mountain
Credit Mountain provides a platform for credit unions to engage members with a personalized touch.
Credit Mountain believes that credit union members need tools, not tips. The Credit Mountain platform provides a personalized experience for each rejected borrower, allowing the credit union to stay connected and build relationships.
Equipifi
Equipifi powers a Buy Now, Pay Later solution for financial institutions.
Founded in Scottsdale, Arizona, equipifi is a leading fintech SaaS powering banks and credit unions with BNPL solutions that align with their debit cardholder's payment preferences and financial goals.
The platform integrates with financial institutions to provide a single source for debit cardholders to access flexible financing on everyday purchases.
Silvur
Silvur provides a proven white-labeled, ready-to-launch retirement solution for credit unions.
Silvur is a team of retirement & technology experts who believe deeply that retirement in America is overly complex. Retirement Simplified, powered by Silvur, is a white-labeled retirement platform that ensures your Gen X and Baby Boomer members are prepared to navigate retirement.
PatientFi
PatientFi partners with healthcare practices to offer patients friendly monthly plans.
We partner with healthcare practices to change the way patients pay for elective procedures. And when we remove the cost barrier, we replace it with a friendly monthly payment plan.
With PatientFi, paying over time isn't a last resort. It's the reason patients can get excited about saying yes to the treatments and procedures they want.
LoanStreet
LoanStreet is the premier loan sharing platform for financial institutions.
LoanStreet is the first fully integrated, online platform that streamlines the process of sharing, managing, and originating loans for credit unions, banks, and direct lenders.
Our Mission is to provide the most efficient, transparent and robust tools for financial institutions to manage loans, connect with partners, and effectively share risk.
Facteus
Facteus is the top-ranked debit and credit card transaction data provider.
Facteus is on a mission to help democratize data insights by safely unlocking valuable data sets and increasing data literacy through technology.
Posh Technologies
Posh is the leading platform for Conversational AI technology.
Posh started at MIT's AI Lab as part of the Spoken Language Systems group. The team now consists of Masters and PhD talent from top research institutions like Harvard and MIT across AI and Natural Language Processing. Our team of engineers, data scientists, designers, marketers, and sales specialists is growing quickly!
DefenseStorm
Real-time cyber safety and soundness, including cybersecurity, cyber compliance, and cyber fraud solutions purpose-built for financial institutions.
CEO: Steve Soukup
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Zest AI
AI driven credit underwriting solutions
CEO: Mike de Vere
Location: Burbank, CA
WithClutch
Digital platform for loan applications
CEO: Nicholas Hinrichsen
Location: San Francisco, CA
Caribou
Technology to refinance your car loan with big savings
President: Kevin Bennett
Location: Arlington, VA
Illuma Labs
Real time voice authentication solutions for global customers
President: Milind Borkar
Location: Plano, TX
Eltropy
Digital communications platform that increases engagement and revenue for financial service institutions
President: Ashish Garg
Location: Milpitas, CA
Nymbus
Provider of banking technology solutions for financial institutions to innovate and grow
President: Jeffery Kendall
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Exited - Payrailz
Enables FI's to deliver a smarter payments experience
CEO: Fran Duggan
Glastonbury, CT
Coviance
Software and data for loan originators
CEO: Omar Jordan
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Igor
Power over ethernet smart building systems
CEO: Dwight Stewart
Location: West Des Moines, IA
MākuSafe
IoT platform designed to improve workplace safety and reduce workers’ comp claims
CEO: Gabriel Glynn
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Gross-Wen Technologies
Sustainable algae-based wastewater treatment technology.
Founder, President, and CEO: Dr. Martin
SmartScripts
Long term care prescription management
CEO: Todd Thompson
Location: Washington, IA
Vertex
Software that enables 3D design collaboration across the extended enterprise
CEO: Dan Murray
Location: Ames, IA
Dryland Genetics
Working towards a sustainable food supply in a world with less water.
Co-Founder & CEO: Patrick S. Schnable, Ph.D.
Location: Ames, IA
Ag Startup Engine
Private systematic program to fund AgTech entrepreneurs and help them towards success through mentorship and financial support
Directors: Kevin Kimle and Joel Harris
Location: Ames, IA
Ames Seed Capital
Private investment funds to support high-growth start-ups in Ames, IA and other Story County areas.
CEO: Dan Culhane
Location: Ames, IA
ARCORO
Integrated HCM software; merger of BirdDogHR, ExakTime, and InfinityHR
CEO: John O'Hara
Locations: AZ / CA / IA
Certintell Telehealth
Telehealth software and virtual care solutions
CEO: Ben Lefever
Location: Des Moines, IA
Connectivity
Enterprise-level video conference and language translation solutions
CEO: Tom Kielty
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Distynct
Remote management for livestock facilities
CEO: BJ Brugman
Location: Ames, IA
Dwolla
Software for online payments and money transfers
CEO: Brady Harris
Location: Des Moines, IA
HLT
Software to create interactive educational applications
CEO: Alec Whitters
Location: Coralville, IA
Mazen Animal Health
Developer of novel oral vaccines for pets and livestock
CEO: Dr. Jenny Filbey
Location: Ames, IA
OpenLoop
Connecting clinicians and practices
CEO: Dr. Jon Lensing, MD
Location: Des Moines, IA
Pitchly
B2B software to create dynamic documents from data automatically
CEO: Ryan Gerhardy
Location: Des Moines, IA
Roboflow
Software for incorporating computer vision into applications
CEO: Joseph Nelson
Location: Des Moines, IA
TapOnIt
Mobile advertising software solution for companies
CEO: Katie Castillo-Wilson
Location: Davenport, IA
VIDA
Software for quantitative pulmonary analysis
CEO: Dr. Susan Wood
Location: Coralville, IA
WebCareHealth
Software for clinicians to remotely monitor their patients at home
CEO: Dr. Teresa Sieck
Location: Ankeny, IA
WINPRO Pet
Supplements to keep pets healthy and active
President: Tim Mitchum
Location: Des Moines, IA
Workgroups DaVinci
Software for project management & workflow automation for marketing and creative teams
CEO: Todd Skokan
Location: Des Moines, IA
Exited - Viewpoint Molecular Targeting
Developer of a novel therapeutic for metastatic melanoma
CEO: Dr. Frances Johnson
Location: Coralville, IA
Exited - MSUITE
Software to manage all HVAC-related design, production, and installation
CEO: Britton Langdon
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Exited - BirdDogHR
Software for talent management and compliance
CEO: Todd Skokan
Location: Urbandale, IA
Exited - FarmlandFinder
Digital tool set for farmland professionals
CEO: Steven Brockshus
Location: Des Moines, IA
Learn more about Next Level Ventures or contact us today to discuss which funding option is best suited to meet your business's goals. Learn more about our investments and process by visiting our FAQ page.