Listen Ventures Fund III

Listen Ventures

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Status

ACTIVE

Global HQ

Chicago, United States

Countries of investment

United States
Canada

Investment stages

Seed
Series A

Industries

Consumer Brands
Community Commerce
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About
Listen Ventures is an independent venture capital firm and creative agency collective headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm actively combines traditional institutional venture finance with an integrated team of in-house creative directors and brand strategists to maximize early-stage positioning and accelerated retail market entries.

Min check size: $1M
Max check size: $5M
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Investment Thesis

Listen Ventures leads Seed and Series A financing rounds for consumer-tech networks, innovative lifestyle platforms, and brand systems that show intense organic human adoption. The firm’s investment thesis emphasizes backing consumer brands where the primary differentiator is design excellence, emotional consumer connection, and clear behavioral shifting.

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Manager's Experience

Jeff Cantalupo (Founder & Managing Partner) founded Listen Ventures in 2010 with a "brands that listen to consumers win" philosophy, bringing brand strategy and consumer marketing expertise rather than traditional finance background; he led investments in Calm (unicorn) and Factor (acquired by HelloFresh in November 2020 as largest shareholder). Rick Desai (Managing Partner) leads the firm's concentrated, high-conviction investing approach with a focus on lead investments and board representation. The firm raised Fund III in January 2022 and operates a uniquely concentrated portfolio model with hands-on brand expertise alongside capital.