LISTEN LLC

Thesis

Listen Ventures is a Chicago-based venture capital firm founded in 2010, with a core philosophy that "brands that listen to consumers win." The firm specializes in investing in consumer-obsessed entrepreneurs and disruptive brands that are at the tipping point of cultural and behavioral shifts. Their investment thesis is centered on identifying cultural narratives and consumer behavior shifts before they become mainstream, which they refer to as "investing in cultural tension." Their investment themes include categories such as the End of Excess, Mental Health, Cannabis Stigma, Off Devices, Financial Health, and Food Fight. Listen Ventures employs a concentrated investment model, prioritizing finding brands that establish new narratives and then writing meaningful checks that make a real impact. As of January 2022, Listen announced the close of $92 million across two new funds: Listen Ventures III, a $62 million core fund, and Listen Up, a $30 million opportunity fund. Listen Ventures III is designated to invest in early-stage consumer brands, primarily pre-seed and seed stage companies, backing approximately 10-12 startups per fund. Listen Ventures III invests up to $5 million per company, with check sizes typically ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. The firm invests nationally across the United States and is open to remote-first brands.

Related lists

• Pre-seed Consumer investors
• Seed-stage Consumer investors
• Series C+ Consumer investors