The landscape of investment capital in Wisconsin has changed dramatically in the past few years. Since 2013, Wisconsin has seen the launch of funds such as BrightStar Wisconsin, Angels on the Water and the Badger Fund of Funds.

Add 4490 Ventures to that list. Two-and-a-half years ago, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the State of Wisconsin Investment Board launched this $30 million venture fund to invest in tech companies located primarily in Wisconsin and the Midwest.

And so far, 4490 Ventures is meeting its mandate, having invested in local startups such as EatStreet, Abodo and HealthMyne, with room for 3-5 more in the current portfolio, according to Principal James Crawford.

4490 Ventures typically invests in seed and Series A rounds with a general range of $50,000-$3 million.

Crawford explained that he and Managing Director Greg Robinson actively work with the companies in which they invest and also reserve capital to invest in them again down the road.

“We’re not just investing once,” Crawford said. “We want to be engaged.”

So far, Crawford and Robinson have seen “lots” of medical technology startups, as well as variances of concepts that exist already (e.g. EatStreet, Abodo), but “not many” ag tech startups.

Of note is the Robinson came from California, and Crawford from New York, to run 4490 Ventures. Together, they bring institutional investment experience to the Midwest, which Crawford sees as a growing “web” that includes Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis.

“We’re excited to be a part of the community,” Crawford said. “We want to support the (startup) ecosystem here.”