Ekistic Ventures

Ekistic Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on investing in early-stage companies that solve critical urban problems. The firm launched with a USD 15 million fund and brings together a team with deep experience in urban governance, technology, and data science, including former Chicago chief data officer Brett Goldstein, former mayoral advisor David Spielfogel, former Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter, and O'Reilly Media founder Tim O'Reilly. Ekistic invests in and builds companies that apply technology, data science, and innovative approaches to make cities more efficient and equitable, targeting sectors such as infrastructure monitoring, energy optimization, public safety, mobility, and civic technology. The firm has invested in approximately 15 companies, including notable portfolio names such as Lime, RoadBotics, Biobot Analytics, Omnidian, and Kaizen Health, and also created CivicScape, a predictive policing firm, in-house. Ekistic differentiates itself through a highly hands-on model, working closely with a small number of portfolio companies each year.