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§ Venture Capital · IL, USA
Venture capital fund investing in diversified portfolios of early-stage startups founded by University of Wisconsin alumni.
Bascom Ventures is a Manchester, New Hampshire-based venture capital fund that invests in early-stage and venture-backed startups connected to the University of Wisconsin alumni network. Operating as a dedicated fund under the Alumni Ventures umbrella, the firm pools capital from accredited individual investors to build diversified, sector-agnostic portfolios across technology, healthcare, and consumer goods. While Bascom Ventures operates a specific $6 million fund, its parent organization manages over $1.3 billion in assets under management on behalf of a network exceeding 10,000 active investors. The firm typically co-invests alongside established lead venture capitalists in a portfolio of more than 1,300 companies, including recognizable entities such as Axiom Space, Fetch, Dataminr, SHINE Medical, and Wasabi. Bascom Ventures was launched in 2017 by Managing Partner Greg Baker under the broader Alumni Ventures platform established by Mike Collins.
Key people at Bascom Ventures.
Bascom Ventures was founded in 2017 by Luke Antal (Co-Founder, Chief Community Officer & Head of Strategic).
Bascom Ventures is a $6 million venture capital fund primarily focused on investing in early-stage to pre-IPO companies, with investment sizes ranging from $25,000 to $10 million. It operates as part of the larger Alumni Ventures network, which manages about $250 million across 300 investments. The firm’s mission centers on leveraging the University of Wisconsin alumni network to identify and support promising ventures, often investing in companies with founders, executives, or board members connected to Wisconsin. Bascom Ventures follows a diversified investment philosophy that mirrors broader venture capital industry trends, allocating capital across multiple sectors and stages to build a balanced portfolio. Its impact on the startup ecosystem is amplified by its integration into a vast alumni community of over 600,000 people, providing portfolio companies with valuable introductions, collaboration opportunities, and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem[1][2][3].
Bascom Ventures was founded as a specialized fund within Alumni Ventures to serve University of Wisconsin alumni investors and entrepreneurs. While the exact founding year is not specified, it is part of the broader Alumni Ventures platform, which has grown significantly to become one of America’s largest venture firms for individual investors. The fund’s focus evolved to emphasize co-investing alongside leading venture capital firms, enabling it to participate in high-quality deals without leading investments itself. This approach allows Bascom Ventures to leverage expert-led deals while maintaining a diversified portfolio aligned with industry trends. The fund’s close ties to the Wisconsin alumni community shape its investment selections and networking capabilities[1][2][3].
Bascom Ventures rides the trend of democratizing venture capital access by leveraging alumni networks to pool capital and expertise, enabling individual investors to participate in venture deals typically reserved for institutional players. The timing is favorable due to growing interest in diversified, network-driven investing and the increasing importance of university-affiliated innovation ecosystems. Market forces such as the rise of co-investment models and the expansion of seed to growth-stage funding rounds work in Bascom’s favor. By focusing on Wisconsin alumni and co-investing alongside leading firms, Bascom Ventures strengthens regional innovation while contributing to the broader venture capital ecosystem’s diversification and connectivity[1][2].
Looking ahead, Bascom Ventures is poised to continue expanding its portfolio by leveraging the strength of the Alumni Ventures platform and its deep Wisconsin alumni network. Trends such as increased specialization in venture funds, growing importance of network effects in startup success, and the rise of co-investment syndicates will shape its trajectory. As venture capital becomes more democratized and collaborative, Bascom’s influence may grow both regionally and nationally, fostering innovation and providing alumni investors with unique access to high-potential startups. Its strategy of mirroring industry investment trends while maintaining a strong community focus positions it well for sustained impact in the evolving venture landscape[1][2].
Key people at Bascom Ventures.
Bascom Ventures was founded in 2017 by Luke Antal (Co-Founder, Chief Community Officer & Head of Strategic).
Bascom Ventures has more than 26 tracked investments across 26 companies. The latest tracked deal is $10.2M Series A in When Insurance in January 2026.
