Lightbank
Chicago VC co-founded by Eric Lefkofsky and Brad Keywell (Groupon founders); early-stage generalist investor, ~$700M raised since 2010; participated in Valarian's $50M Series A, July 2026.
Lightbank is a Chicago-based venture capital firm co-founded in 2010 by Eric Lefkofsky and Brad Keywell, the co-founders of Groupon. It invests in early-stage disruptive technology companies from pre-seed through Series A, operating as a hybrid VC and in-house company builder with an emphasis on the Chicago/Midwest tech ecosystem. The firm has raised roughly $700M since inception, including a $290M Fund III. Participated in Valarian's $50M Series A in July 2026.
Overview
- Firm
- Lightbank
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Founded
- 2010
- AUM
- ~$700M raised since inception (per firm); $290M Fund III
- Stages
- Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
- Thesis
- Early-stage investments in disruptive technology companies, led by great founders, in dynamic markets, with world class products; operates as a hybrid VC + in-house company builder with a Chicago/Midwest tech ecosystem emphasis
Portfolio companies1
Frequently asked
- What is Lightbank?
- Early-stage investments in disruptive technology companies, led by great founders, in dynamic markets, with world class products; operates as a hybrid VC + in-house company builder with a Chicago/Midwest tech ecosystem emphasis
- How much does Lightbank manage?
- Lightbank manages ~$700M raised since inception (per firm); $290M Fund III in assets, and was founded in 2010.
- What stages does Lightbank invest at?
- Lightbank invests at Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A.
Sources & citations2
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