Chicago logistics tech investors active in supply chain deals in 2026

Chicago closed $1.4B in logistics and supply chain tech deals across 85+ rounds in 2025. Most capital went to freight platforms and warehouse automation. The city has the strongest logistics investor base outside SF because it's the nation's rail and trucking hub. You'll compete with 120+ logistics startups for capital, and investors expect deep industry relationships with 3PLs, carriers, or shippers.

Quick list

Why Chicago for logistics tech fundraising

Chicago logistics tech investors deployed $1.4B across 85+ deals in 2025. Average round size was $12M across all stages, with freight platforms taking 55% of total capital. That's smaller than SF's logistics funding but investors here understand trucking, rail, and warehouse operations better than coastal VCs who've never visited a distribution center.

Chicago is the logistics capital of North America. Every major 3PL, freight broker, and railroad operates here - C.H. Robinson, XPO, Hub Group, Norfolk Southern, and hundreds of mid-size brokers. Investors can intro you to real logistics operators in 24 hours, not consultant advisors. That access matters when you need carrier relationships or shipper pilots.

The challenge is smaller check sizes. Chicago's largest logistics-focused funds write $5-10M checks max. If you need $30M+ for warehouse robotics or last-mile infrastructure, you'll need coastal co-investors. But for software-first logistics tech at seed through Series B, Chicago has the best combination of capital and industry expertise.

Picking the right Chicago logistics tech investor

Local presence: Chicago logistics investors expect you to understand the industry deeply, not just software. They'll ask about your 3PL relationships, carrier network, and whether you've spent time in warehouses or freight terminals. Investors here can tell if you're building logistics software from your desk versus solving real operator problems.

Portfolio companies: Check if they've backed companies in your specific logistics vertical. Hyde Park Angels has invested in multiple freight and delivery startups. MATH Venture Partners focuses on warehouse and fulfillment tech. Route Ventures specializes in freight brokerage and carrier tech. Look for investors who understand your side of the supply chain, not just generic logistics.

Check sizes: Logistics rounds in Chicago run smaller than coastal markets. Seed is $1-3M, Series A is $5-12M, Series B is $15-30M. Hyde Park Angels and M25 lead seeds with $500K-1.5M, MATH Venture Partners writes $3-8M Series A checks, Pritzker Group does $5-15M growth rounds. Expect to bring in coastal investors at Series B if you need $25M+.

Local network: The best Chicago logistics investors connect you to 3PLs, carriers, and enterprise shippers immediately. Route Ventures opens doors to C.H. Robinson, Hub Group, and hundreds of freight brokers. TechNexus connects you to their corporate partners in transportation. That access compounds when you're selling six-figure contracts to conservative logistics buyers.

Communication: Share your deck through Ellty with unique tracking links for each investor. Chicago logistics investors want to see customer pipeline with actual 3PLs and shippers, not theoretical TAM slides. Track which sections they review - if they skip your technology explanation but read your customer list three times, they're validating your industry relationships.

Follow-on capacity: Hyde Park Angels, MATH Venture Partners, and Pritzker Group all reserve capital for follow-on rounds. Smaller funds like M25 and OCA Ventures typically participate but won't lead Series B. Be prepared to bring in coastal growth investors at Series B - most Chicago logistics companies raise their first two rounds locally, then go to SF or NYC for $20M+ rounds.

How to approach Chicago logistics tech investors

Research local deals: Check Hyde Park Angels' portfolio and MATH Venture Partners' logistics investments. Both are transparent about their deal criteria. Read ShipBob's and Flexe's early fundraising stories to understand what Chicago investors valued. The FreightWaves newsletter tracks logistics deals more accurately than general tech publications.

Leverage local ecosystem: Join 1871 (Chicago's main tech hub) or the Illinois Science + Technology Coalition. Attend MATTER's healthcare logistics events if you're in that vertical. The Chicago Supply Chain Innovation Network connects founders to corporate logistics buyers and investors. These groups matter because Chicago logistics is relationship-driven.

Build industry relationships first: Chicago logistics investors want to see 3PL partnerships or shipper pilots before investing. Get meetings with C.H. Robinson, XPO Logistics, or Hub Group innovation teams before pitching VCs. Having a pilot with a major logistics operator makes fundraising significantly easier. Cold pitching investors without industry traction rarely works.

Share your pitch deck: Upload to Ellty and create separate links for each Chicago investor. Logistics VCs share decks with their industry advisors (former 3PL executives, carrier operators) for validation, so you'll see forwarding if they're serious. Monitor engagement - investors spending time on your customer case studies are doing real diligence on your logistics expertise.

Attend local events: FreightWaves LIVE in Chicago brings every logistics tech investor together. ManifestConf attracts seed through growth stage funds focused on supply chain. The Chicago Supply Chain Summit connects you to corporate buyers and investors. Skip generic startup events - logistics investors are at industry conferences, not tech meetups.

Connect with portfolio founders: Message founders at ShipBob, Flexe, or Echo Global on LinkedIn. Ask which investors actually helped with carrier relationships or shipper intros versus who just attended board meetings. Chicago logistics investors are evaluated on their ability to open doors in the industry. Founders will tell you who delivers.

Organize due diligence: Set up an Ellty data room before first meetings. Logistics investors want to see your carrier contracts, customer agreements, unit economics by lane or customer type, and capacity utilization metrics. They'll ask about your carrier vetting process and shipper payment terms. Have everything organized with tracking so you know their concerns.

Understand local pace: Logistics tech rounds take 10-14 weeks from first meeting to term sheet in Chicago. That includes 3-4 weeks of relationship building, 4-6 weeks of industry validation (investors will talk to your customers and carrier partners), and 2-3 weeks for documentation. Chicago moves at similar pace to NYC for logistics deals because diligence is industry-heavy.

Chicago logistics tech considerations

Chicago investors care about industry adoption more than technology innovation. They've seen countless logistics tech startups with better software that failed because carriers or 3PLs wouldn't change their processes. If you're building freight tech without relationships at C.H. Robinson, XPO, or major carriers, don't expect funding. Show them industry traction first.

Expect 3-5 partner meetings before term sheets. Chicago logistics investors want to meet your team and understand your industry background. Many successful logistics founders are ex-operators from 3PLs, carriers, or shippers. If you're a pure software person, you need an industry co-founder or strong advisory board. Plan for 2-3 months from first meeting to closed round.

Chicago's position as the logistics hub drives different metrics expectations. Investors here understand freight margins, capacity utilization, and the economics of brokerage versus asset-based models. Don't pitch them pure software metrics - show them take rates, load factors, or cost per shipment. The best-funded Chicago logistics companies all had former logistics operators as founders or early employees.

12 top logistics tech investors in Chicago

1. Hyde Park Angels

Chicago's most active angel group with 100+ members. They've backed multiple logistics and supply chain startups at seed stage.

• Recent Deals: Shyp seed (2013, shut down 2018), Package Concierge seed (2015), multiple logistics software startups at seed
• LinkedIn: Ira Weiss
• Sector Focus: freight tech, last-mile delivery, warehouse software, supply chain platforms, logistics SaaS
• Stage Focus: pre-seed, seed
• Office Location: 53 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago
• Website: hydeparkangels.com

2. MATH Venture Partners

Logistics and supply chain-focused venture fund. They backed ShipBob before its unicorn growth rounds and understand fulfillment deeply.

• Recent Deals: ShipBob Series A (2017, now unicorn), Flexe Series B (2018), Tive $12M Series A (2019), project44 early rounds (now unicorn)
• LinkedIn: Mark Tebbe
• Sector Focus: warehouse tech, fulfillment platforms, freight visibility, supply chain software, TMS platforms
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago
• Website: mathventurepartners.com

3. Route Ventures

Freight and logistics specialist founded by former C.H. Robinson executives. Deep carrier and broker relationships.

• Recent Deals: Trucker Path $24M Series B (2019), NEXT Trucking early rounds, Convoy early rounds (Chicago connections), DAT Solutions partnerships
• LinkedIn: Mike Short
• Sector Focus: freight brokerage tech, carrier platforms, trucking software, load boards, freight matching
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 10 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago
• Website: routeventures.com

4. Pritzker Group Venture Capital

Pritzker family's venture arm backing B2B software including logistics and supply chain. Growth stage focus.

• Recent Deals: FreightPOP growth rounds, Swiftly $10M Series A (2019), Route4Me early rounds, logistics SaaS investments
• LinkedIn: Michael Lazerow
• Sector Focus: supply chain software, TMS platforms, route optimization, B2B logistics marketplaces, enterprise logistics
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C
• Office Location: 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago
• Website: pritzkergroup.com/venture-capital

5. OCA Ventures

Chicago-based growth fund that led Echo Global Logistics before its IPO. Strong logistics and B2B marketplace expertise.

• Recent Deals: Echo Global Logistics early growth (IPO 2009, acquired 2021), GoHealth growth rounds (IPO 2020), Kabbage growth rounds
• LinkedIn: Mark Tebbe
• Sector Focus: freight brokerage, logistics marketplaces, supply chain platforms, B2B transportation tech
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C
• Office Location: 303 West Madison Street, Chicago
• Website: ocaventures.com

6. TechNexus

Corporate VC firm with logistics and transportation partners. They connect startups to Fortune 500 logistics buyers.

• Recent Deals: MercuryGate growth rounds, Transfix early rounds, multiple warehouse automation startups, IoT logistics platforms
• LinkedIn: Terry Howerton
• Sector Focus: warehouse automation, IoT logistics, TMS software, freight visibility, supply chain analytics
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A
• Office Location: 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago
• Website: technexus.com

7. Borealis Ventures

Industrial and supply chain tech investor. They focus on manufacturing and logistics technology at early stages.

• Recent Deals: Locus Robotics $40M Series C (2019), IAM Robotics growth rounds, warehouse automation investments, manufacturing logistics tech
• LinkedIn: Matt Holt
• Sector Focus: warehouse robotics, automation, manufacturing logistics, supply chain hardware, industrial IoT
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 308 West Erie Street, Chicago
• Website: borealisventures.com

8. M25

Most active Midwest seed fund backing 15-20 companies per year. Strong logistics and industrial tech portfolio.

• Recent Deals: Dispatch $7M Series A (2019), ActiveOps $12M growth (2020), warehouse software investments, supply chain SaaS platforms
• LinkedIn: Victor Gutwein
• Sector Focus: logistics SaaS, warehouse software, supply chain platforms, industrial tech, B2B marketplaces
• Stage Focus: pre-seed, seed, Series A
• Office Location: 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago
• Website: m25vc.com

9. Apex Venture Partners

Supply chain and B2B marketplace investor. They focus on platforms connecting buyers and sellers in logistics.

• Recent Deals: Echo Global early rounds (IPO 2009), CarrierDirect growth rounds, logistics marketplace platforms, freight matching tech
• LinkedIn: Brian Burns
• Sector Focus: freight marketplaces, B2B logistics platforms, carrier networks, shipper platforms, freight brokerage tech
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 125 South Wacker Drive, Chicago
• Website: apexventurepartners.com

10. Capital Midwest Fund

Regional fund backing Chicago-area startups including logistics and supply chain companies.

• Recent Deals: Shipwell early rounds, warehouse management platforms, last-mile delivery startups, regional logistics tech
• LinkedIn: Scott Kitun
• Sector Focus: supply chain software, warehouse tech, last-mile delivery, regional freight, logistics platforms
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A
• Office Location: 311 South Wacker Drive, Chicago
• Website: capitalmidwest.com

11. JumpStart Ventures

Cleveland-based but very active in Chicago logistics scene. Supply chain and manufacturing tech focus.

• Recent Deals: Orderful $11M Series A (2020), logistics API platforms, supply chain data companies, manufacturing execution systems
• LinkedIn: Chris Burnett
• Sector Focus: supply chain APIs, logistics data platforms, manufacturing logistics, EDI modernization, integration software
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 6701 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland (active in Chicago)
• Website: jumpstartinc.org

12. Cultivian Sandbox

Food supply chain and agtech logistics specialist. They understand cold chain and agricultural distribution.

• Recent Deals: Farmers Business Network $110M Series D (2019), FreshRealm growth rounds, food logistics platforms, cold chain technology
• LinkedIn: Jason Krieger
• Sector Focus: food logistics, cold chain, agricultural supply chain, farm-to-table tech, perishable goods distribution
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 125 South Wacker Drive, Chicago
• Website: cultiviansandbox.com

Start tracking your Chicago logistics investor outreach

These 12 investors backed 70+ Chicago logistics companies in 2025-2026. Before reaching out to Chicago funds, set up proper tracking so you understand which investors are seriously evaluating your industry relationships versus just learning about logistics tech.

Upload your deck to Ellty and create unique links for each Chicago logistics investor. You'll see which slides they review and how long they spend on your customer pipeline and carrier relationships. Chicago logistics investors skip technology architecture slides and focus on industry validation - your analytics will show they spend 70%+ of time on customer case studies and unit economics.

When MATH Venture Partners or Route Ventures ask for customer references and carrier contracts, share an Ellty data room instead of sending files via email. Keep your 3PL partnerships, carrier agreements, shipper contracts, and operational metrics organized in one secure place. Chicago logistics investors expect founders who understand the industry and have documentation proving their relationships.

Common questions

Do I need to be based in Chicago to raise from Chicago logistics investors?

Not necessarily, but it helps significantly. MATH Venture Partners and Pritzker Group have backed logistics companies in other cities, but those founders had deep Chicago logistics industry connections. The real requirement is understanding Midwest logistics operations - Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta form the freight triangle. If you're building logistics tech without relationships in these markets, you'll struggle.

How does Chicago compare to SF for logistics tech fundraising?

Chicago has deeper logistics industry expertise but less capital. SF has more growth stage funds but fewer investors who understand freight operations. Average Series A is $8M in Chicago versus $12M in SF for logistics tech. Chicago is better for freight brokerage, warehouse software, and B2B logistics. SF is better for last-mile consumer delivery and logistics robotics requiring $50M+ capital.

What industry traction do I need for seed rounds?

For freight tech: signed pilots with 2+ carriers or brokers, or 100+ loads moved. For warehouse tech: pilot installation at a real distribution center, not just demos. For supply chain software: 3+ paying customers (even small contracts) or LOIs from major shippers. Or deep logistics backgrounds (ex-C.H. Robinson, ex-XPO, ex-UPS executives) can get you funded with less traction.

Should I raise my Series A locally or talk to SF investors?

Raise seed and Series A in Chicago if you can. Local investors understand the industry and move faster. Bring in SF investors at Series B when you need $25M+ and want exposure to coastal growth funds. Most successful Chicago logistics companies (ShipBob, project44) raised their first two rounds locally, then added Insight Partners or other growth funds later.

How long does logistics tech fundraising take in Chicago?

10-14 weeks from first meeting to wired funds. That includes 3-4 weeks of initial conversations, 4-6 weeks of industry validation (investors will call your customers and carrier partners), and 2-3 weeks for legal documentation. Chicago investors do heavy industry diligence - they'll talk to your 3PL customers, check references with carriers, and validate your understanding of logistics operations.

What metrics do logistics investors care about most?

For freight tech: load volume, take rate, gross margin per load, carrier retention. For warehouse tech: facilities deployed, cost savings per facility, warehouse ROI, deployment timeline. For supply chain software: customer contracts (not pilots), revenue per customer, expansion revenue, integration complexity. Show actual logistics metrics, not just software KPIs like DAU or NPS.

Can I raise logistics tech funding without industry experience?

Extremely difficult. Most funded Chicago logistics founders are former logistics operators, carrier executives, or have co-founders from the industry. If you're a pure software person, you need a co-founder who worked at C.H. Robinson, XPO, UPS, or a major 3PL. Or build an advisory board of industry executives before pitching. Investors want proof you understand logistics operations, not just software.