Apples—From Midwest Orchards to Silicon Valley 🍏

⏰ Midwest Minute 

It’s that time of year when apples are truly the core focus—both in orchards and on your phone screen. Not only is it prime apple-picking season (hello, 👋 Instagram-worthy shots of apples and pumpkins!), but Apple is also hosting its annual Apple event, unveiling the latest in tech. This year, they dropped iOS 18, the iPhone 16, two new Apples Watches, and even some fresh few headphone. The buzz around iOS 18 is crisp, with new updates allowing iPhone users to customize their phones like never before, plus new messaging, security and health features.

But it's not just Apple that’s evolving—Midwest orchards are too! The Midwest Apple Improvement Association (MAIA) is picking up the pace, introducing exciting new apple varieties like EverCrisp and Ludacrisp. And if you’ve ever enjoyed a Honeycrisp or Haralson, you can thank the University of Minnesota’s apple-breeding program, which has been at it since 1878 and released over 29 varieties. Did you know Michigan ranks as the third-largest apple-producing state in the U.S.? Its apple industry, rooted over 150 years ago, keeps growing stronger every season.

And apple season doesn’t just mean pies and cider—it’s also time for apple brandy! Indiana’s French Lick was once a hub for top-tier apple brandy production (and pssst — they’re bringing back this beloved spirit in historic fashion!) Pro tip: don’t miss out on the Midwest cideries offering up some of the core essentials of the season! Whether you’re swiping through the latest iPhone updates or picking your way through Midwest orchards, fall is the ultimate apple moment.

Here’s a pick of the latest funding announcements from the past few weeks. Chicago-based Pie raised an $11.5M Series A and Moderne Ventures announced a $230M FIII. Indiana's TechPoint has opened their submissions for the 2025 Mira Awards. Find more of the latest down below.

Have any insights into the Midwest ecosystem or a funding announcement to share? Want to share your favorite apple variety? Send us an email: [email protected] 

📰 Notable News

Exits

• St. Louis-based Mission Control was acquired by LeagueSpot for an undisclosed amount

• Fargo-based Chipp acquired AllGPTS.co for an undisclosed amount

Startup Funding

• Pie - $11.5M Series A led by Forerunner | Chicago

• DubClub - $7.5M Series A led by Renegade Partners | Chicago

• Healent Health - Undisclosed Seed led by Cintrifuse Capital | Chicago

VC Funds

• Moderne Ventures - $230M FIII | Chicago

• eGateway Capital - $94M FII | Covington, KY

Other News

• ICYMI - We dropped our annual Best of the Midwest: Startup City Rankings last month!

• We’re celebrating our 2024 Midwest Madness Champions in State College next week!

• Submissions are now open for the 2025 TechPoint Mira Awards

• Fed slashes interest rates by a half point, an aggressive start to its first easing campaign in four years

• Climate tech is on display in Chicago this week — here's why and where

• Second Foxtrot location to reopen Thursday in Old Town

📆 Mark your Calendar

Need to fill your social calendar? We’ve scoured newsletters, scanned LinkedIn and found some of the latest tech + startup events in the region. Know of any upcoming events and want to share them? Send us an email: [email protected]