Lightbank is a Chicago-based venture capital firm founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneurs Brad Keywell and Eric Lefkofsky. See contact routes.
Lightbank is a Chicago-based venture capital firm founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneurs Brad Keywell and Eric Lefkofsky, the co-founders of Groupon, with a mission to invest in disruptive technology companies [4][9]. The firm operates as a sector-agnostic investor targeting early-stage companies, primarily at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, with a geographic focus on North America [2][5]. Typical initial check sizes range from $250,000 to $5 million, and the firm is known to act as both a lead and follow investor depending on the opportunity [4][9]. Notable portfolio companies include Udemy, an online learning marketplace; Fiverr, a freelance services platform that went public; Sprout Social, a social media management tool that also IPO’d; and Tempus, an AI-driven precision medicine company [4][13]. Lightbank distinguishes itself by functioning as a hybrid organization that not only invests externally but also incubates ideas internally, leveraging its founders’ operational experience to support startups [9]. The firm describes itself as “disruptive technology investors” and emphasizes adding value beyond capital by fueling the future of technology [15][10].
Every field above is read from the StartupFundraising firm directory — disclosed location, recorded investments and stated focus — and re-checked as filings arrive. Founders pair it with comparable investors when building a target list.
Investors like Lightbank · Full investor directory · Investor access · Company funding database