What to know about the first Groove Capital raise:
- The investment firm, focusing on pre-seed investments and founded by BETA co-founder Reed Robinson, closed the round at $3.8 million
- According to a report, the round exceeded expectations by more than $1 million
- Specific investors weren’t named but reportedly include mentors, entrepreneurs, and higher-ups at large Minnesota companies
Robinson launched Groove Capital in August 2020 with the goal of offering pre-seed funding to early-stage startups in the range of $50,000-$100,000. The firm hasn’t distributed any funds yet.
In Robinson’s guest series, “Mind The Gap,” he broke down the current pre-seed scene in Minnesota and what he thinks can be done to help it thrive. You can read all four parts now:
- Part 1: The Problem With Early-Stage Startup Funding
- Part 2: Formal Pre-Seed Investments Are Lacking
- Part 3: We Need More Minnesota Angel Investment
- Part 4: 5 Steps to Increase Pre-Seed Investing
Shortly after the launch of Groove Capital, Robinson also appeared on The tech.mn Podcast. Listen to his episode to learn more about the firm’s goals.

Alex oversees the content produced for BETA, Twin Cities Startup Week, and tech.mn. When he’s not writing or editing, there’s a good chance he’s enjoying a refreshing brew and explaining the merits of heavy metal (of which there are many).