TechNexus Venture Collaborative

In this edition of Top Ten in Tech: Chicago, Matt Meyers, Director of Strategy & Venturing at TechNexus, recaps his visit to FDIC International and breaks down how Chicago's legacy in public safety is fueling the next wave of technology adoption, from smart traffic systems and first-responder wearables to real-time software that saves lives. Plus: a round-up of local venture deals, new events on the horizon, and a closer look at how Chicago tech is showing up on the world stage...from Augusta to Munich to Indy.

"Can you repeat that?" It's the question nobody wants to ask. For international teams, these moments aren't just uncomfortable – they're productivity killers. Krisp, a TechNexus Venture Collaborative portfolio company, says its latest innovation aims to make these moments disappear, letting engineers explain complex updates, salespeople nail their pitches, and support teams help customers without communication hiccups. Krisp recently unveiled its new AI Accent Conversion feature, which transforms various accents into standard American English in real-time during calls – all while keeping what makes each voice unique. See it in action: https://lnkd.in/gXaxW8EY

⚡ EV startup Harbinger is making moves. TechNexus Venture Collaborative portfolio company Harbinger announced it has manufactured more than 100 electric trucks and motorhomes for its customers including THOR Industries, Inc.—just four years after the company launched. The major milestone comes after Harbinger and TechNexus corporate partner THOR unveiled the world’s first hybrid Class A RV built on Harbinger's electric chassis. "Our ability to design and move our vehicle into production this quickly is a testament to the creativity and diligence of our world-class team," Harbinger co-founder and CEO John Harris said. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gEum_hWZ

🏘️ Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are rapidly transforming how we think about housing density and urban space. And in states like California, where restrictions are being severely reduced, ADU growth is skyrocketing. To capitalize on this shift, established manufacturers of prefab homes and ADUs must embrace innovation and strategic partnerships. This is where TechNexus steps in, offering a unique bridge between disruptive startups and industry titans. With corporate partners in the RV industry, TechNexus has been a leading startup investor in the RV market, backing startups that bring a range of technological advancements to the space. An adjacent market is the ADU sector, which is accelerating the adoption of technologies that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and the homeowner experience. Read more on our ADU perspective and dive into our market map of 60 startups in ADU or ADU-adjacent spaces: https://lnkd.in/gQSGiSYw

🤖 UpSmith is introducing a new tool that brings generative AI into a sector that’s long been underserved by modern software. It recently launched JennyAI, a product designed to support skilled trades businesses—HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and beyond—by automating customer outreach and helping convert inbound interest into booked jobs. 💰 UpSmith closed a $5 million seed round last year from TechNexus Venture Collaborative, Andreessen Horowitz and others. Its software identifies potential leads, automatically reaches out to existing customers with context-aware messages, and books appointments in real-time. 🔨 As AI continues to reshape how businesses operate, the company is betting that the next wave of innovation won’t be confined to offices—it’ll show up in workshops, vans, and job sites, too. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gYaG7V7H

🔋 NanoGraf Corporation, a Chicago-based leader in advanced battery materials, was recently named one of the top greentech companies in the world by TIME. 📈 NanoGraf, a TechNexus Venture Collaborative portfolio company, ranked No. 51 on TIME’s list of America’s Top GreenTech Companies for 2025, cementing its significant impact in the clean technology sector. ⚡ NanoGraf's battery tech offers improved performance for applications ranging from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, and comes on the heels of a $60 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish a battery production facility in Flint, Michigan. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/g-td2Wsv

On the ground in Munich this week with TechNexus Venture Collaborative corporate partners and portco, exploring the largest construction industry show in the world... lots of big kid toys for any sized sandbox (and some serious machinery for real commerce)!

💰 Letter AI is equipping sales teams with generative AI tools to help companies close more deals. From AI-powered coaching to AI-generated sales assets created in seconds, Letter AI is helping companies like Lenovo, Adobe and Redpanda supercharge their revenue teams. Read more on how the TechNexus portfolio startup is helping revenue teams win more, win better, and win faster: https://lnkd.in/g54m7UUw

💡 At TechNexus, we build and scale high-growth businesses by bridging corporate capital, startup ecosystems, and industry transformation. ✈️ In the aviation sector, this translates to accelerating the adoption of transformative technologies that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and the passenger experience. Our venture investments reflect our proactive approach to shaping the future of aviation and have included investments in startups like: H3X Technologies: A startup developing advanced electric propulsion systems. Evitado Technologies: A startup developing technology that increases safety in aviation through advanced hazard detection. Mainblades : A startup that uses smart drones for aircraft maintenance. Read more on how these startups are revolutionizing air travel and how TechNexus is investing in the future of aviation: https://lnkd.in/gqFDbxCS

🛥️ Hefring Marine is on a mission to transform the maritime industry with AI technology that improves a vessel’s safety and fuel efficiency. In Iceland, where Hefring Marine’s story began, the company initially focused on building high-performance boats with a unique hull design that could withstand the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic. These boats were designed to reduce the impacts and shocks caused by rough waters, which can cause severe discomfort and even injury to passengers. After conducting research with the University of Iceland, CEO Karl Birgir Björnsson and team realized that many boats, particularly high-speed rib boats used for tourism, caused impacts up to nine times greater for passengers seated in the front compared to the operator. This revelation led to the creation of a simple shock monitoring device that displayed the impact data to the operator in real-time. However, the team soon realized that showing the operator what had already happened wasn’t enough—predicting the shocks before they occurred was key. This prompted the development of an advanced algorithm capable of forecasting wave impacts ahead of the vessel, making operations safer and more efficient. Read more on the TechNexus Venture Collaborative portfolio startup's journey to make ships safer and more fuel efficient: https://lnkd.in/gGDQ2ksF