# Starting Line

> Starting Line is a VC fund in Chicago backing FinTech and Software. See 45 investments, check sizes, portfolio and contact details. Updated Aug 2026.

- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Chicago, United States
- Total investments: 45
- Last investment: Nov 2025
- Lead investor: 31%
- Fund size: $30M
- Last fund: Apr 2021
- Last updated: Aug 2026
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starting-line-vc/
- X (Twitter): http://www.twitter.com/startinglinevc
- Website: http://www.startingline.vc

Starting Line is an early stage consumer focused VC fund based in Chicago, IL.

## Contacts

5 contacts available for Starting Line. Shizune tracks 4 team members at Starting Line. Sign up free to unlock them: https://app.shizune.co/sign-up/investor-profiles/find-team-emails/starting-line?utm_source=investor_profile

## Round sizes

| Stage | Round size |
| --- | --- |
| Seed | $1.9M–$8.5M |
| Series A | $10M–$60M |

## Investment focus

### Industry

| Industry | Investments | Share |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FinTech | 6 | 13% |
| Software | 6 | 13% |
| Financial Services | 6 | 13% |
| E-Commerce | 5 | 11% |
| Health Care | 4 | 9% |

74 industries tracked in total.

### Stage

| Stage | Investments | Share |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Seed | 26 | 58% |
| Series A | 8 | 18% |
| Pre-Seed | 3 | 7% |
| Series B | 3 | 7% |
| Funding Round | 1 | 2% |

### Country

| Country | Investments | Share |
| --- | --- | --- |
| United States | 30 | 67% |
| United Kingdom | 1 | 2% |

## Team

| Name | Title | Investments | Profile |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Scott Holloway | General Partner | 5 | https://shizune.co/investors/profile/scott-holloway |
| Ade Olonoh | Venture Partner | 4 | https://shizune.co/investors/profile/ade-olonoh |
| Ezra Galston | Founder | 19 | https://shizune.co/investors/profile/ezra-galston |
| Kevin Willer | Investor | 28 | https://shizune.co/investors/profile/kevin-willer |

## Investments

| Company | Description | Amount | Stage | Date | Website |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agentio | Agentio is the first ad platform for creator content. We're automating how brands buy the most performant and authentic ad unit. | $40M | Series B | Nov 18, 2025 |  |
| Every Media | Every Media is a collection of business-focused newsletters that publishes analysis and comments from the perspective of practitioners. | $2M | Seed | May 21, 2025 |  |
| Mesa | Our mission is to make homeownership more affordable and rewarding | $7.2M | Seed | Sep 24, 2024 |  |
| AnyCreek | AnyCreek is a platform that facilitates the booking of outdoor adventures such as fishing or hunting trips. It aims to connect adventure-seekers with guides and outfitters, providing a space for them to discover and book the best outdoor experiences. The platform is designed to be guide-friendly, empowering guides and outfitters to reach a wideraudience. | $1.8M | Seed | Jun 13, 2024 |  |
| Pinch | Pinch operates on-demand cosmetic injection platform for cosmetic procedures, offering consultation, scheduling, and booking at home, office, or hotel, with medically trained nurse practitioners for convenience and privacy. Pinch offers a convenient, non-invasive approach to beauty, focusing on clinical data and proven treatments, suitable for bothhumans and pets. | $3.5M | Seed | Apr 09, 2024 |  |
| iAsk Ai | iAsk is an AI search engine that delivers the fastest and most accurate responses in seconds, making it an attractive option for users looking for a more intuitive and user-friendly search experience. We are committed to continuous growth and development, striving to become an exciting contender in our field.At iAsk.Ai, the search engine hasadvanced from simple keyword-matching systems to an advanced AI that comprehends users' needs. It delivers relevant information to help users easily address simple or complex questions. | $5.7M | Seed | Feb 28, 2024 |  |
| Birdwatch | Birdwatch helps busy homeowners save time, money and energy by taking care of the issues that arise in and around your home. From repairs and installations, to preventative maintenance and renovation advising, we bring the convenience of renting to owning. Our team of mission-driven entrepreneurs are passionate about helping you feel safe, cozyand cared for. Birdwatch is a public benefit corporation that promotes equal access to safe, dignified homeownership and the benefits of building intergenerational wealth. | $3.2M | Seed | Jan 24, 2024 |  |
| NorthStar Care | NorthStar Care is a cutting-edge virtual alcohol rehab service company. NorthStar Care's compassionate methodology eliminates therapeutic hurdles such as judgment and stigma. | $6M | Seed | Sep 20, 2023 |  |
| Boom | Boom provides financial solutions to produce credit and rent payments. Their platform allows users to pay their rent via credit or debit cards, bank transfers, and wallets, enabling users to pay rent. | $4.5M | Seed | May 31, 2023 |  |
| Boom | Boom provides financial solutions to produce credit and rent payments. Their platform allows users to pay their rent via credit or debit cards, bank transfers, and wallets, enabling users to pay rent. | $4.5M | Seed | May 31, 2023 |  |

10 of 45 investments shown.

## Co-investors
- [2048 Ventures](https://shizune.co/investors/profile/2048-ventures) — VC Fund, 4 deals together
- [Matchstick Ventures](https://shizune.co/investors/profile/matchstick-ventures) — VC Fund, 4 deals together
- [Motivate Venture Capital](https://shizune.co/investors/profile/motivate-venture-capital) — VC Fund, 4 deals together
- [Clocktower Technology Ventures](https://shizune.co/investors/profile/clocktower-technology-ventures) — VC Fund, 3 deals together
- [Core Innovation Capital](https://shizune.co/investors/profile/core-innovation-capital) — VC Fund, 3 deals together
- [FJ Labs](https://shizune.co/investors/profile/fj-labs) — VC Fund, 3 deals together

## Similar investors

### Similar stage
- [Antler](https://shizune.co/investors/profile/antler-be9c) — VC Fund
- [Alumni Ventures](https://shizune.co/investors/profile/alumni-ventures-group) — VC Fund
- [Right Side Capital Management](https://shizune.co/investors/profile/right-side-capital-management) — VC Fund

## FAQ

### What does Starting Line invest in?

Starting Line invests primarily in FinTech, Software and Financial Services startups, most often at Seed and Series A stage. Most of the 45 investments tracked by Shizune back companies in United States. The Investment Focus section breaks down every industry, stage and country in the portfolio.

### What is Starting Line's check size?

Starting Line typically joins rounds of $1.9M–$8.5M at Seed and $10M–$60M at Series A. These ranges are 10th–90th percentile round sizes calculated from confirmed public funding rounds, so they are a realistic guide to the rounds Starting Line participates in.

### How do I contact Starting Line?

Public channels for Starting Line include LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and the website linked on this profile. For a verified work email and phone number, create a free Shizune account — contact data is searched across 20+ sources and validated before delivery, so your outreach lands in the right inbox.

### Who are the partners at Starting Line?

The team at Starting Line includes Scott Holloway (General Partner), Ade Olonoh (Venture Partner) and Ezra Galston (Founder). The Team section lists each member with their title, investment count and links.

### Is Shizune's investor data accurate?

Yes — every stat on this profile is calculated from confirmed public funding rounds monitored across hundreds of sources since 2020. This profile was last refreshed in Aug 2026 and is updated monthly. Spotted something off? Use the “Suggest an edit” link near the top of the page.

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