Think you know 2024's hot topics? Take our quiz! We see a lot of industry buzzwords used by brands today. Colostrum? Microplastics? Ashwagandha? How well do we, as consumers, really understand what these words mean? Our goal in Listening is to understand where these words sit in the mind of the consumer and we want your help doing that. Insert the "Don't Google It" challenge. https://lnkd.in/gASac8Vi A few ground rules to set the stage: You’ll have 7 minutes to share your thoughts on these topics so don't overthink it, and DON’T GOOGLE IT. Don’t know something? No sweat, just try to write the words you associate it with, or the people and places where you might of heard it. Need more convincing? This is anonymous. Unless you want to see the results. Then there's a spot to enter your email. Regardless, all answers will be anonymized. The more the merrier. Send this 🔗 link in your group chats, in your Slack groups, to your parents or children. #buzzwords #consumer #research #listenmore
Listen Ventures
Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
Chicago, Illinois 4,725 followers
We back and build the brands of tomorrow 👂 Including Calm, Kiwi Co, Factor, Black Buffalo, Dame, Own Up, & Slumberkins.
About us
Listen invests in consumer-obsessed entrepreneurs building at the tipping point of behavior shifts. Many firms invest in consumer, few actually Listen to consumers.
- Website
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http://www.listen.co
External link for Listen Ventures
- Industry
- Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois
- Type
- Partnership
- Founded
- 2010
- Specialties
- Venture Capital, Brand Strategy, Brand Identity, Communication Architecture, and Consumer Research
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
406 N Sangamon St
Chicago, Illinois, US
Employees at Listen Ventures
Updates
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👂 2024 Leaders Day at Listen... Every year, we bring together the talented leadership from our brands for a day away from the hustle of running their businesses. The mission? To share the hard-earned wisdom and experiences that come with building successful brands. This year’s theme was “HEARD!” — which set the tone for a day of consumer-obsessed programming. Curated by the leaders themselves, the agenda was packed with raw conversations, insights from exited founders, trend forecasts, and practical takeaways. Together, 30 amazing leaders built a conference that was as inspiring as it was actionable. A huge thank you to The Game Room at Chicago Athletic Association and Maxwell Trading for hosting us, and to FARE and Lula Cafe for keeping us well-fed and happy. And last but certainly not least, we could not have done this without George Khalife at Norton Rose Fulbright and Aneto Okonkwo from Remarkable AI. Here’s to another incredible Leaders Day next year! \\ Jeff Cantalupo Rick Desai Brentos Fernandez Joelle Cosmas Ellen Wilcox Johnnie Yu Alexis Queen Nika Longo
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📢 Calling all those 60+ years old... We're seeking a small group of thought partners to share their wisdom and lend expertise as we explore consumer behavior, mindsets, and the future of aging. As a part of this group, you'll reflect on your life stories and wisdom to help us better understand the shared experiences of others within this demographic. Join the 60+ Wisdom Collective and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gqD2phX8 *If selected, you will receive compensation for participation. #aging #aginggracefully #longevity #futureofaging \\ Ellen Wilcox Alexis Queen Jeff Cantalupo Rick Desai Brentos Fernandez Joelle Cosmas Johnnie Yu Shawn Dennis Nika Longo
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What Rick said! We are proud to have been a part Hylton’s journey. Cheers to your continued success at Distributed Ventures, Hyl!
I’m excited to share that I have officially joined Distributed Ventures as an investor in their Chicago office! After meeting with Shawn Ellis, Adam Blumencranz, Janet Xu, and the DV team, I knew it was the right fit. I’m excited to focus on innovative employer solutions for digital health and risk as I continue to work with incredible founders who are transforming healthcare through technology. I’m incredibly grateful to Jeff Cantalupo, Rick Desai, and the entire Listen Ventures team for an amazing 3 years, where I was able to explore so many areas within VC and grow both professionally and personally. My time at Listen gave me invaluable exposure to the consumer space and deepend my passion for supporting founders and backing bold ideas. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, I’m excited to connect with you all soon!
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🐃 Big congrats to Mark Hanson and the Black Buffalo Inc. team for being recognized by Goldman Sachs as one of the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs at the 2024 Builders and Innovators Summit. #chargeahead
Chief Growth Officer at Black Buffalo Inc. - creators of the world's finest tobacco alternatives
Black Buffalo Inc. Honored by Goldman Sachs for Entrepreneurship Mark Hanson, Black Buffalo's Co-Founder and President, Among the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs at 2024 Builders and Innovators Summit CHICAGO, IL / October 16, 2024 - Today, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) is recognizing Black Buffalo's Co-Founder and President, Mark Hanson, as one of the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2024 at its Builders and Innovators Summit in Healdsburg, CA. Goldman Sachs selected Mark Hanson from multiple industries to be honored at the two-day event. “I am thrilled to recognize Mark as one of the most exceptional entrepreneurs of 2024,” said David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. “Mark and his team have built an impressive business that continues to grow at scale. We look forward to bringing this year’s cohort together to share insights on topics ranging from the evolving geopolitical landscape and accessing new pools of capital to using the power of storytelling to reach new audiences.” In its 13th year, Goldman’s Builders and Innovators Summit is the can’t miss gathering for Founders and CEOs of high growth companies. Previous honorees have gone on to lead multi-billion dollar companies, both in the private and public markets. In addition to honoring the most exceptional entrepreneurs each year, the Summit consists of general sessions and clinics led by seasoned entrepreneurs, academics and business leaders as well as resident scholars. About Black Buffalo Inc. Founded in 2015, Black Buffalo has created America’s leading smokeless tobacco alternative products, backed by over 25,000 hours of research and development. The Company is a 3-time recipient of the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America award (most recently in 2024), and has won every major Best New Product award from the convenience trade. Black Buffalo smokeless tobacco alternative products are sold in-store and online. To learn more about Black Buffalo, visit the Company’s website or use the Company’s store locator to find Black Buffalo products at a local retailer near you. Certain of Black Buffalo's smokeless tobacco alternative products contain pharmaceutical-grade, tobacco-derived nicotine, which is an addictive chemical, and Black Buffalo's products are intended for adults aged 21 and older who are consumers of nicotine or tobacco. About Goldman Sachs Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that delivers a broad range of financial services to a large and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world. Press related questions about the Summit or Goldman Sachs, please contact Sophia Anthony at Sophia.Anthony@gs.com. 53 Stations Listen Ventures Watchfire Ventures Vice Ventures #GSInnovators
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MBAs! Check out this awesome opportunity below 👇
🚨 An incredible and unique Intern Opportunity 🚨 One of Listen’s portfolio companies, Rugiet Men - a personalized health/rx brand, is seeking a dynamic intern to serve as General Manager for an exciting incubated new business opportunity for the port co. This unique opportunity offers direct collaboration with the CEO and Listen’s investment team, as well as hands-on experience in business incubation. The ideal candidate will be a ⭐ first or second year MBA ⭐ committed minimally through March, with potential for summer extension or longer-term engagement. They will have the ability to work from Listen Ventures's office in Chicago if needed, otherwise, the role is remote. This position is perfect for an ambitious individual looking to gain invaluable experience in business management and entrepreneurship and who emobdies strong leadership and strategic thinking abilities. If you, or someone you know, is interested - fill out THE GOOGLE FORM BELOW 👉 Ellen Wilcox Nika Longo Rick Desai Jeff Cantalupo Hylton Irons Johnnie Yu Alexis Queen Nikita Srivastava
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The second annual Chicago Consumer VC Trek is in the books ✅ A jam packed day of conversations and office visits with interns who are interested in the world of consumer investing. Shout out to Haley Kwait Zollo, Nathan Cooper, and our very own Joelle Cosmas for dropping gems during the panel at Listen HQ! Thanks to all the firms who hosted and participated: Bluestein Ventures Impact America Fund Chicago Early Growth Ventures Barrel Ventures mHUB TechNexus Venture Collaborative Corazon Capital InvestBev Bridge Investments Cleveland Avenue NewBound Venture Capital Moderne Ventures Starting Line SNAK Venture Partners 53 Stations Hyde Park Venture Partners
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👂 Fall Investment Listener applications are open for one. more. week! As an Investment Listener you'll have the opportunity to be immediately integrated into our investment process. You’ll spend your days sourcing and evaluating deals among other opportunities, gaining expertise and experience in consumer investing and diligence. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gZsc5S2n \\ #chicago #internships #venturecapital #consumer #investing
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👏 Such a cool moment for the whole Chicago:Blend crew! Shout out to Jessie Casey, a Listener Alumni and force within the Chicago VC scene, who joined them to rep the Blend Fellows program.
🔔 Chicago:Blend RANG THE Nasdaq BELL Y”ALL!! 🌊 Over the past two years the Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship has been making WAVES with over 80% of our Fellows who were actively seeking VC roles land a role in VC. 🙏 SO many people help make this work possible from our leader Joey Mak, founder Lindsay Knight, and all of our incredible volunteers, mentors, partners, and now alumni. 🏆 It was so special to have this work recognized by Chicago Innovation last fall when we won the Social Innovator award and I'm so grateful they included us on this experience. 💪 To me, this is a win for Chicago and a statement that our ENTIRE tech community is putting in the work here to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the VC ecosystem. 🙌 I’m so happy that our alumni, Jessie Casey was able to join us for this special moment. Jessie was in the Fall 2023 class of Fellows, secured a role with Listen Ventures, and now in the works to start a critical fund here in Chicago and continue putting Chicago on the main stage. We have so many alumni like her and I’m so happy she joined us for this awesome win. 😎 Sounds like the market agreed as the Nasdaq ended up GREEN on our day (https://lnkd.in/d9gq25b5)! 😉 If you’re feeling inspired and want to donate a percentage of your recent market earnings, you can donate to Chicago:Blend here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d8bwWiuY This was all honestly such a cool experience. 👀 Stay tuned for more updates and wins as we have a new class of Fellows starting in September and BIG alumni news coming. The work continues. ✌️
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