Investor Profile: Lewis & Clark Ventures — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

If you are researching Lewis & Clark Ventures funding, you are looking at a St. Louis firm built on a simple conviction: hugely successful companies can be built between the coasts. It backs B2B software companies from late seed through Series A. Here is how to get funding from Lewis & Clark Ventures, what it invests, and who leads it.

Thesis: B2B software between the coasts

Lewis & Clark Ventures is an early-stage venture firm managed by former founders and operators. Its stated focus is partnering with visionary founders to build iconic B2B software companies. It looks for founders with a big vision, a bold idea and team-building ability, and has found startups from Minneapolis to Austin and Boulder to Atlanta. It has also deepened its thesis-driven investing in markets including real estate, wealth management and insurance.

Sectors, stages and cheque size

Lewis & Clark Ventures is a B2B software investor focused on late seed stage through Series A. Its site states that it typically invests between $2M and $3M in its initial investment, with flexibility in either direction. Historically it has also invested in agriculture, healthcare and financial technology.

Fund history

The firm does not publish a single current total fund size, so that figure is not publicly disclosed. Its first venture fund was about $80 million, alongside two $25 million sidecars for digital healthcare and plant sciences, according to its managing director. Its dedicated Plant Sciences Fund held a $20 million first close in 2016 against a $45 million target, investing $3 million to $7 million per deal in precision agriculture, plant genomics and food sustainability.

Notable portfolio companies

Its own site highlights Sailes, the Kansas City AI startup that closed a $5.1 million Series A for its AI sales robots. It also includes Beam Benefits, which raised $40 million, taking its total funding past $200 million, and Kaizen Health, ranked No. 662 on the 2023 Inc. 5000.

Partners and team

Lewis & Clark Ventures was founded by venture capital veteran Tom Hillman, now its founding general partner, and is based at 120 South Central Avenue in Clayton, Missouri. Its current team includes managing director Tim Spihlman, operating partners Max Hillman and David Poldoian, and principal Michael Rockhold. Earlier leadership included managing director Brian Hopcraft.

Programs, credits and perks

Lewis & Clark Ventures does not publicly list an accelerator program or a credits and perks package. Its published offer is operator support: tools, guidance, resources and talent help from former founders and operators.

How to apply for funding from Lewis & Clark Ventures

Start on the firm's official site, lewisandclarkventures.com, and use its contact route, ideally with a warm introduction from a portfolio founder, a Midwest co-investor or a B2B software operator in its network. Pitch to its criteria: B2B software at late seed or Series A, a founder with a big vision and team-building ability, and a round fitting a $2M to $3M initial cheque. Show traction proving the business can scale from the middle of the country.