The 81 Collection
InvestorActiveThe 81 Collection is a Chicago-based early-stage venture firm founded in 2021 by Vijen Patel, former CEO of Tide Cleaners. The firm invests in founders building in 'hard industries' — the 81% of U.S. GDP (manufacturing, real estate, retail, construction, essential services, supply chain) that is historically underserved by venture capital. Its investor base includes more than 100 current and former company founders, and the firm applies deep operating experience to support portfolio companies through coaching, access, and relationships. The 81 Collection participates in pre-seed and seed rounds with initial checks ranging from $500K to $1.5M. Its inaugural $41M Fund I closed in December 2022, with more than two-thirds of capital raised from founders in hard industries and additional backing from four Midwest institutions. The fund targets high-margin startups applying automation, AI, and smart hardware to traditionally low-margin sectors.
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