It’s just starting to heat up…. 🔥🥵

⏰ Midwest Minute 

The corn isn’t quite “knee-high” yet, but give it a few weeks. We’re cruising into that sweet spot between spring rains and full-blown heat dome, and we’ve got a newsletter to match.

Summer’s rolling in across the Midwest—slowly, sweatily and possibly just enough breeze to justify working outside (for now). The sun’s out, the storm warnings are back and we’re somewhere between lake day dreams and sitting in front of the air-conditioner. The cicadas are tuning up and the humidity hasn’t fully turned on beast mode yet—but make no mistake, the dog days are coming. Curious how hot it’ll get this summer? NOAA’s summer 2025 forecast is calling for above-average heat across much of the Midwest. Wondering when corn season actually peaks? The Farmer’s Almanac has answers.

As for us? We’ll be spending the next few weeks tracking funding news, summer job board highlights and where founders are sneaking off to for a little OOO time. Scroll on for the good stuff (summer tech events, funding announcements and more!)—and if you’re heading to a rooftop, riverwalk or ballpark this month, send recommendations our way! 👀

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

📰 Notable News

Exits

• Indianapolis-based Greenlight Guru acquired Ultralight Labs for an undisclosed amount

• New Albany, IN-based RxLightning to be acquired by CoverMyMeds for an undisclosed amount

Startup Funding

• Gecko Robotics - $125M Series D at a $1B+ valuation led by Cox Enterprises | Pittsburgh

• HOPPR - $31.5M Series A co-led by Kivu and Greycroft | Chicago

• Remarcable - $15M Series A led by Insight Partners | Cleveland

• 32Biosciences - $6M round | Chicago

• OrisDX - $4M Seed led by Revere Partners | Chicago

• FarmQA - $4M Seed led by gener8tor 1889 | Fargo

• Beacon - $1.6M Seed from HIP and Harper Court Ventures | Chicago

• Saluna - $1.5M Seed from angel investors, BioGenerator and Hermann Cos | St. Louis

VC Funds

• Energize Capital - $430M FIII | Chicago

• Harper Court Ventures - $25M fund | Chicago

Other News

• PitchBook Analyst Note: US VC-Backed M&A Outlook

• How Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) Rewrites the Rules of Search

• Minneapolis startup ecosystem ranked among best in North America

• Chicago startup ecosystem slips in global rankings amid 40% value decline

• Foodtech VC activity ‘slowed significantly’ in Q1, says Pitchbook

📆 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 in our next newsletter? Send us an email: [email protected]