VentureApp
closedChat platform for professionals in the innovation economy.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
$4.0m | Early VC | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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VentureApp was founded in Boston in 2015 by a team that included Chase Garbarino, Kevin McCarthy, and Gregory Gomer. The co-founders had a history of collaboration, having previously worked together on ventures like Streetwise Media, which was acquired in 2012. Garbarino, serving as CEO, and his team aimed to leverage technology to build networks within the innovation economy.
The company positioned itself as a professional chat platform designed for the innovation sector. It enabled professionals to communicate with their existing business contacts from platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and LinkedIn, and to connect with new partners within their extended network. The platform was initially invite-only, attracting several thousand users from over 2,000 companies in Boston and New York, including professionals from DraftKings, HubSpot, and Silicon Valley Bank. The business model included offering premium packages for professionals and businesses to enhance their presence and brand awareness.
VentureApp secured a total of $6 million in funding over two rounds. The initial seed round was on June 30, 2015, followed by a $4 million Series A round on March 13, 2017, led by Accomplice, with participation from Boston Seed Capital and others. This funding was intended to fuel a nationwide rollout and strategic growth initiatives. A key feature the company developed was 'VentureMap,' an interactive network visualization tool that mapped startup and investor relationships in tech ecosystems like New York City and Chicago, making it easier for users to find connections and identify trends.
In January 2018, the team behind VentureApp pivoted, rebranding the company as HqO. This new entity launched a tenant engagement platform for commercial real estate, shifting focus from a broad professional chat network to a specialized software interface for property owners. HqO's platform integrates with building systems, allowing tenants to use their phones for building access, visitor registration, and accessing amenities. The company is no longer active under the VentureApp name.
Keywords: professional chat platform, business messaging, innovation economy, venture capital, startup ecosystem, professional networking, investor relations, network visualization, Chase Garbarino, Kevin McCarthy, Gregory Gomer, Accomplice, Boston Seed Capital, VentureMap, HqO, commercial real estate technology, tenant engagement