As we kick off 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a transformative second year for the firm. We achieved a lot. The firm deployed capital into an exceptional slate of companies across healthcare, wealth tech, and the built world, we continued to expand our team, and we made real progress operationalizing a platform that sets us apart. Most importantly, we deepened our conviction about where we can create the most value for founders, at the intersection of early-stage venture and legacy enterprise.

Building the Portfolio

Last year, we invested in companies tackling some of the most persistent challenges in our core sectors. From construction intelligence to reliable energy to AI-powered wealth management, our portfolio reflects our belief that the best opportunities emerge where technology meets highly regulated, tech-laggard industries.

January 2025

Labviva (Healthcare) We led Labviva’s $25 million Series B, with participation from Biospring Partners, B Capital Group, and Glasswing Ventures. Labviva uses AI to accelerate life science research by seamlessly connecting suppliers, purchasing departments, and scientists. The company is already trusted by three of the top five global pharmaceutical companies.

Kaya AI (Built World) We co-led Kaya AI’s $5.3 million pre-seed round alongside Suffolk Technologies and Soma Capital, which launched the company from stealth. Kaya AI is building supply chain intelligence for mission-critical construction—an area where we have deep connectivity through our relationships with Lithko Contracting, STV, and many ENR 100 builders. 

June 2025

Meter (Built World) We participated in Meter’s $170 million Series C, led by General Catalyst. Meter is transforming enterprise networking into a true utility through a fully integrated Network as a Service model. Their vertically integrated approach—combining proprietary hardware, firmware, and software with end-to-end operations—is exactly the kind of infrastructure play we look for.

September 2025

Ketryx (Healthcare) We invested in Ketryx’s $39 million Series B, led by Transformation Capital. Ketryx is an AI-native compliance platform helping life sciences teams release safer products faster. The company works with three of the top five global medtech companies and enables teams to cut documentation time by up to 90 percent.

October 2025

ConCntric (Built World) We led ConCntric’s $10 million Series A. The company is building the first true operating system for preconstruction, unifying dozens of early-phase workflows into a single source of truth. Contractors like Consigli, Big-D, and Satterfield & Pontikes are already using the platform to increase win rates and sharpen cost visibility. With Amplify, ConCntric’s AI agent, teams can scale without adding headcount.

November 2025

Range (Wealth Tech) We participated in Range’s Series C round led by Scale Ventures. Range is building the AI-powered platform for all-in-one wealth management, targeting the 11 million American households earning over $400K or with more than $1M in investable assets who are underserved by traditional advisors. Their AI engine “Rai” combines proprietary technology with human financial advisors to deliver comprehensive planning across investments, tax, estate, and retirement—all through a flat-fee model that saves clients versus traditional AUM fees. 

December 2025

Antares (Built World) We invested in Antares’ $96 million Series B, led by Shine Capital. With nearly all U.S. forward operating bases relying on diesel for power, Antares offers defense customers a way to leapfrog fragile supply chains and unlock secure, reliable electricity wherever it’s needed.

Operationalizing Our Connectivity

When we kicked off 2025, we made a commitment: to take the connectivity that makes 53 Stations distinctive and turn it into a true platform that drives value to every founder we back. Our flywheel links early-stage ventures with late-stage capital and legacy enterprises, and it’s more than a promise. It’s a mission. And last year, we put it into motion.

A key part of our platform is our Wayfinders program, a curated community of seasoned executives, operators, and industry experts. Wayfinders don’t just advise; they’ve walked the path themselves. In 2025, they contributed insights across the challenges founders face most.

• Alexis Joseph Merritt, Global Head of People Partners at Notion, shared a tactical guide on designing a people operating system after a funding round
• Phill Lawson-Shanks, Chief Innovation Officer at Aligned Data Centers, offered perspective on what it really takes to power AI infrastructure
• Kristin Sauchak, Partner and Head of Brand at COMMAND, outlined a systematic approach to building mindshare
• Eric Stone, operator and advisor, shared hard-earned lessons on building your first board

On the events side, we deepened our engagement with the broader ecosystem. New York Tech Week in June was a highlight – we co-hosted a panel and networking event with STV on planning, building, and delivering infrastructure in an era of exponential technological change. We also hosted a healthcare-focused panel and dinner on selling into enterprise health systems, a space where proof matters more than hype. You’ll continue to see more of these gatherings from us in the new year: bringing together founders and buyers to discuss what actually drives a deal. 

And we continued deepening our engagement with The Pritzker Organization portfolio. In 2025, we organized demos that resulted in three TPO portfolio companies signing up for pilot programs with innovative AI companies. Our value-add extends beyond capital: customer introductions, board member identification and placement, CxO placement support, and M&A guidance.

A Dynamic Team

We welcomed Chinedu Udeogu as an investor in 2025, returning home to the city where he was born. Chinedu was previously an investor with M12, Microsoft’s venture fund, where he invested across infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise SaaS. His technical depth – he holds an M.S. in Data Analytics from the University of Illinois – has made an immediate impact on both our investing and how we infuse AI into internal operations.

Our MBA Fellowship Program continues to be a valuable part of the 53 Stations ecosystem, contributing meaningfully to diligence, thesis development, and portfolio support. Applications for the 2026 Summer MBA Fellowship are now open.

Looking Ahead

As we begin this next chapter, our mission remains the same: support exceptional founders with a service-provider mindset, a flexible mandate, and access to a unique network of operators, customers, and capital. We’re builders ourselves, focused on creating a platform of systems and relationships that scale connectivity.

To everyone who supported us in 2025, founders, operators, and partners, thank you. Here’s to building together in 2026.