Next Level Ventures
Next Level Ventures is an Iowa-based venture capital firm managing over $400 million across five funds and 45+ portfolio companies, investing $500K–$5M checks in seed and growth-stage agtech, fintech, healthtech, and advanced manufacturing startups with credit unions as primary LPs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersDes Moines, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Next Level Ventures does
Next Level Ventures is an Iowa-based strategic investment firm founded by Craig Ibsen that manages over $400 million (reported up to $500M) in assets across five funds and a portfolio of more than 45 companies. The firm operates three investment vehicles: the Curql Fund, which builds partnerships between fintech companies and credit unions and is backed by some of the largest U.S. credit unions; the Iowa Fund, which provides capital for technologies across agtech, healthtech, fintech, IoT, and advanced manufacturing with backing from credit unions, insurance companies, and strategic investors; and Next Level Ventures Fund III, a certified Iowa Innovation Fund targeting agtech, bioscience, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing with a 25% Iowa tax credit for accredited investors.
The firm invests at seed, growth, and every stage in between, with typical check sizes of $500,000 to $5.0 million per business. It is not a technology company and does not sell software products; its underlying "platform" consists of partnership networks, deal-sourcing channels through the Iowa startup ecosystem (Plains Angels, StartupCity Des Moines, ISA Ventures, InnoVenture Iowa), and active portfolio support via board service, strategic introductions, and operational guidance. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with a New York City office opened in March 2026, the firm employs 15+ investment and administrative professionals.
Revenue is generated through standard VC mechanics: management fees on committed/deployed capital and carried interest on successful portfolio exits. Notable exits include MSUITE's acquisition by Stanley Black & Decker in 2022, and the firm has recorded multiple follow-on rounds across portfolio companies (e.g., Dwolla $21M, Eltropy $25M Series A, Mazen Animal Health $11M Series A). Its customer base is bifurcated between LPs (primarily credit unions, with insurance companies and strategic investors as secondary) and portfolio companies in early- and growth-stage technology sectors.
Next Level Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Next Level Ventures
- Legal name
- Next Level Ventures
- Website
- https://nextlevelvc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Next Level Ventures is an Iowa-based venture capital firm managing over $400 million across five funds and 45+ portfolio companies, investing $500K–$5M checks in seed and growth-stage agtech, fintech, healthtech, and advanced manufacturing startups with credit unions as primary LPs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Next Level Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital
- NAICS
- All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sector-Focused Venture Capital (Vertical Specialists) (FSANAAAD)
Keywords
Where Next Level Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Des Moines
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Next Level Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Investment Returns and Management Fees: As a strategic investment firm, Next Level Ventures generates returns through successful exits of portfolio companies and management fees from their funds. Their key metric of success is the return for their investors. The firm manages over $400 million in assets across multiple funds including Curql Funds (focused on fintech and credit union partnerships) and Iowa Funds (providing capital investment for technologies across various industries).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Seed to Growth Stage Investments |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Fund III - Iowa Innovation Fund for Accredited Investors |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Next Level Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Next Level Ventures is an Iowa-based strategic investment firm that deploys capital to early-stage and growth-stage technology companies through multiple venture funds. Typical investments range from $500,000 to $5 million per business at seed through growth stages, with active board service, strategic guidance, and operational support provided to portfolio companies. The firm manages three flagship vehicles: the Curql Fund (fintech and credit union partnerships), the Iowa Fund (multi-sector technology), and Next Level Ventures Fund III (Iowa agtech, bioscience, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing).
Product overview
Next Level Ventures is a strategic investment firm offering three investment funds rather than traditional technology products. The Curql Fund focuses on fintech-credit union partnerships, the Iowa Fund provides capital across multiple technology sectors, and Fund III targets Iowa-based startups in agtech, bioscience, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. The firm manages over $400 million in assets across more than 45 portfolio companies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Curql Fund: A venture capital fund focused on building partnerships between fintech companies and credit unions, funded by some of the largest credit unions across the nation.
- Iowa Fund
- Next Level Ventures Fund III
Products and services
- Curql Fund A venture capital fund managed by Next Level Ventures that focuses on building partnerships between fintech companies and credit unions, funded by some of the largest credit unions across the nation. The fund targets fintech solutions that credit unions can adopt as CUSOs or strategic technology partners.
- Iowa Fund Provides capital investment for technologies across various industries including agtech, healthtech, fintech, and IoT, backed by credit unions, insurance companies, and strategic investors. Invests in Iowa-based and Midwest technology companies from seed to growth stages.
- Next Level Ventures Fund III A strategic investment capital fund targeting high-potential industries in Iowa including agriculture technology (agtech), bioscience, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. As a certified Iowa Innovation Fund, it offers accredited investors a 25% tax credit on equity investment in the fund.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $400 million in assets under management across a portfolio of over 45 companies
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Next Level Ventures
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Next Level Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Next Level Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, ecosystem partner and portfolio alumni.
- U.S. CADstrategicU.S. CAD, an AEC technology firm, made a strategic investment in MSUITE alongside Next Level Ventures and Stanley Ventures, bringing industry expertise to the construction tech startup.
- Plains Angelsecosystem partnerTej Dhawan, Senior Advisor at Next Level Ventures, is a co-founder of Plains Angels investment network, which is part of Iowa's interconnected startup ecosystem.
- StartupCity Des Moinesecosystem partnerTej Dhawan, Senior Advisor, co-founded StartupCity Des Moines as part of the Startup Iowa initiative, connecting the startup community.
- Intrigue Capitalportfolio alumniScott Hoekman, former Partner at Next Level Ventures, founded Intrigue Capital. The firm was launched as a new investment firm while maintaining connection to Next Level's ecosystem.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Next Level Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Serra Ventures: Midwest-focused VC with strong agtech and B2B SaaS emphasis, similar stage focus (seed to growth) and check sizes. Comparable as a sector-focused regional investor in overlapping verticals.
- Ag Ventures Alliance: Iowa-based agricultural venture and startup accelerator where Next Level Partner Liz Keehner previously led deal flow. Directly comparable by geography and agtech vertical focus.
- gener8tor: Midwest-focused VC and accelerator where Next Level Principal Elizabeth Caven previously invested. Comparable as a regional early-stage investor with similar sector breadth and Midwest geographic focus.
- ISA Ventures: Iowa-based early-stage VC that frequently co-invests with Next Level Ventures in Iowa startups. Directly comparable by geography, stage focus, and co-investment partnership history (e.g., Hummingbirds, Mazen Animal Health).
- Plains Angels: Iowa angel investment network co-founded by Next Level Senior Advisor Tej Dhawan. Comparable as a deal-sourcing and co-investment partner in the Iowa startup ecosystem.
- FINTOP Capital: B2B fintech-focused VC backed by regional/community bank LPs. Directly comparable given Stephen Schroder moved from FINTOP to Next Level; both firms invest in credit union and community bank fintech with similar LP archetypes.
Regional players
- Hyde Park Venture Partners: Chicago-based early-stage VC with B2B SaaS and fintech emphasis. Comparable as a Midwest peer investing in similar stage and sectors but primarily outside Iowa.
- InnoVenture Iowa: $30M state-backed Iowa fund that co-invests alongside private VCs including Next Level. Comparable as a fellow Iowa-focused early-stage capital provider with overlapping portfolio (e.g., Hummingbirds).
Broad incumbents
- Drive Capital: Large Midwest-focused VC firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Comparable as a regional incumbent operating in the same geography, though with materially larger AUM and broader sector mandate.
- Baird Capital: Midwest-anchored diversified investment platform with venture and growth equity strategies. Comparable as a regional incumbent with overlapping B2B/fintech exposure and institutional LP base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Next Level Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceNext Level Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Next Level Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Next Level Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Next Level Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments34 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Next Level Ventures
What does Next Level Ventures do?
Next Level Ventures is an Iowa-based strategic investment firm that deploys capital to early-stage and growth-stage technology companies through multiple venture funds. Typical investments range from $500,000 to $5 million per business at seed through growth stages, with active board service, strategic guidance, and operational support provided to portfolio companies. The firm manages three flagship vehicles: the Curql Fund (fintech and credit union partnerships), the Iowa Fund (multi-sector technology), and Next Level Ventures Fund III (Iowa agtech, bioscience, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing).
Is Next Level Ventures a public or private company?
Next Level Ventures is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Next Level Ventures founded?
Next Level Ventures was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Next Level Ventures based?
Next Level Ventures is headquartered in Des Moines, United States, in the North America region.
How does Next Level Ventures make money?
One revenue line is on record: investment Returns and Management Fees.
Who are Next Level Ventures's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Serra Ventures, Ag Ventures Alliance, gener8tor, ISA Ventures, Plains Angels and FINTOP Capital. Regional players are Hyde Park Venture Partners and InnoVenture Iowa. Broad incumbents are Drive Capital and Baird Capital.
Does Next Level Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for Next Level Ventures.
What industry is Next Level Ventures in?
Next Level Ventures's product category is Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAD, Sector-Focused Venture Capital (Vertical Specialists). Its NAICS code is 52399 and its SIC code is 6282.