ABOUT GREY COLLAR VENTURES
Venture capital for early-stage, Beloit-based, start-ups.
Grey Collar Ventures (GCV) is a subsidiary of Grey Collar Inc., a holding company for entities owned by American businesswoman, Diane Hendricks. GCV works alongside Hendricks Commercial Properties, a real estate investment and development company founded by Diane in 1974, and Irontek, a Hendricks-owned downtown coworking space and tech hub. Located in Beloit, Wisconsin, these three entities follow the same simple directive: “Build Beloit”. Grey Collar Ventures contributes to this mission by investing in early-stage high-growth startups who are committed to leveraging Beloit’s unique entrepreneurial ecosystem and growing their companies in our community.
INVESTMENT CRITERIA
We seek startups with industry disrupting ideas and a commitment to their community, and coachable, transparent founders with resilient mindsets.
LOCATION: Located in or willing to locate in Beloit
STAGE: Pre-seed, Seed
CHECK SIZE: $100-$500k, average $250k
TRACTION: Post-revenue
WHY BELOIT?
Located on the Wisconsin-Illinois border near several major interstates, and a short drive from large metro areas and airports, Beloit is perfectly positioned to become a leading Midwest tech hub. The community takes pride in a strong industrial heritage, resilient local business community and a vibrant downtown district. Boutique hotels and restaurants, upscale apartment living and other urban amenities make Beloit an attractive location for startups to locate operations, attract employees and affordably scale their businesses.
OUR PORTFOLIO COMPANIES
MEET THE TEAM
LARRY EVINGER
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Larry leads the execution of the investment decisions at Geronimo Hospitality Group and Hendricks Commercial Properties. His group’s responsibilities include acquiring and disposing of properties, leasing spaces, providing a co-working ecosystem for entrepreneurs (Irontek) and securing capital for start-up companies. He’s been with HCP since 2010 and has worked in the real estate industry for 37 years.
ERIN CURRIER
INVESTMENT MANAGER
After graduating from the University of Wyoming with a degree in business administration, Erin jumped headfirst into a career working alongside entrepreneurs. She was the first person to join the Irontek team when the space launched in 2016 and continues to work closely with members and portfolio companies in her current role as investment manager. Erin is a girl mom, dog mom and plant mom. She loves live music and spending weekends at the lake with her family.