Interview Begins: 9:01
Debrief: 59:30

Victor Gutwein is the Founder and Managing Partner of M25

M25 is an early-stage venture firm based in Chicago, investing solely in tech startups headquartered in the Midwest. Since they launched in 2015, they've become the most active investor in the region.

They are led by two of the youngest fund managers in the industry, and they enjoy challenging traditions. They invest broadly, and our unique, analytical approach to venture investing aims to reduce the risk, while maintaining the high returns typically associated with this stage of investing. They emphasize our expansive networks, and thrive on collaboration - helping to syndicate deals, encouraging fair terms as a best practice, and prioritizing relationships. 

A Kauffman Fellow (Class 22) and former leader in Hyde Park Angels, Victor founded M25 in 2015 and quickly grew it to become the most active venture firm in the Midwest. 

We discuss:

• Generational Entrepreneurship 12:27
• Starting small with VC 19:04
• Value Negative Capital Before 21:36
• Angel Groups Before and Now 23:51
• Knowing the Best Deals in the Region 26:18
• M25's Model 29:46
• Maintaining Reputation 33:50
• Trending Opportunities in the Midwest 37:58
• Concerns in the Midwest 41:11
• Expanding beyond the Midwest 44:52
• Midwest on Early Stage VCs 52:28
• M25 Summit 55:07

M25 was founded in 2015 in Chicago, Ilinois.

Learn more about m25
Follow Victor on Twitter

Follow upside on Twitter

Advertise with an upside classified

–

This episode of upside is sponsored by SPMB. 

SPMB is one of the fastest-growing retained executive search firms in the country, closing hundreds of C-level searches every year.

For over 40 years, SPMB has specialized in recruiting upper management and board members to VC-funded startups everywhere from early-stage to growth stage.

They can do the same for you. 

Visit upside.fm/spmb to learn more.

–

This episode of upside is sponsored by Ethos Wealth Management. 

Managing wealth with an eye toward the future demands vigilance and skill in today’s global economy. Over the years, Ethos Wealth Management has worked with clients and their other professional advisors – including attorneys and accountants – to create comprehensive wealth management plans designed to make the best use of their wealth today and help ensure its endurance for future generations.

They can do the same for you. 

Visit upside.fm/ethos to learn more.

–

This episode is sponsored by SavvyCal. 

SavvyCal is the most intuitive and powerful scheduling tool on the market. In fact, we just started SavvyCal to book interviews with our guests! 

You can create personalized links in seconds and even allow recipients to overlay their calendar on top of yours. 

You really gotta see how this works, and you’ll wonder why it wasn’t always this easy.

Sign up to create a free account at savvycal.com/upside and when you're ready to test out a paid plan, use the code UPSIDE to get your first month free.

–