Access granted · Ideas unlocked
Investing in the Underestimated.
First institutional capital for high-potential founders the coasts overlook — now backing companies across eight Midwest states.
01 — The Underestimated
We look for the overlooked.
Gateway Capital backs high-potential founders in emerging entrepreneurial geographies that traditionally lack venture capital investment — before the opportunity is obvious. We lean in where others may hesitate, because financial returns and social returns are not mutually exclusive.
Do well & do good — held together, on purpose.
“When venture capital becomes accessible to those who otherwise haven’t had access, it acts as an equalizer — providing everyone with an opportunity to attain generational wealth.” Dana A. Guthrie · Founder & Managing Partner
02 — First Check
The first institutional yes.
Pre-seed and seed. Simple and transparent — that’s the whole model. Industry-agnostic, with a bias toward Midwest industries ripe for disruption: supply chain & logistics, manufacturing AI.
- C-01One of the first institutional investors in.
We write the check that turns an idea into a company — pre-seed or seed, with reserves for follow-on.
- C-02~$500K initial investment.
Fund II checks average $500–600K — real, useful first capital.
- C-03A strong management team.
Deep understanding of the problem statement, the customer, and the value proposition.
- C-04At least one full-time employee.
Committed, not curious.
03 — The Geographic Thesis
Proven in one state.
Now backing eight.
The Midwest is capital-efficient and sits next to the “right to win” industries — supply chain, manufacturing, logistics. Fund I proved the model in Wisconsin. Fund II runs the same first-check playbook across eight states.
12 companies backed at the earliest stage. $13.5M, oversubscribed — anchored by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
IL · IN · IA · MI · MN · MO · OH · WI. Same first-check model, ~20 more companies, $25M target.
Gateway’s eight-state footprint · Wisconsin is where it started
Tap, hover or tab a state →
The Numbers
Fund I made the case. Fund II scales it.
Fund I companies have gone on to attract regional and national follow-on capital, scale revenue, and achieve acquisitions.
04 — Portfolio
Backed before the opportunity was obvious.
Geno.Me
The most comprehensive, searchable ecosystem of linked genetic and medical data.
Golgix
AI software that boosts manufacturing throughput and yield by predicting process and machine failures — no extra hardware needed.
Setpoint
A patented climate intelligence platform that digitizes, connects, and automates antiquated, locally-controlled room equipment.
The Way Out
Connects justice-impacted individuals with employment and re-entry service providers.
Houstr
Turns short-term rentals into shoppable showrooms.
DropCap
A global rights marketplace connecting authors and publishers to international license buyers.
05 — The Archetype
Underestimated once, too.
Gateway’s thesis isn’t borrowed conviction. It’s Dana Guthrie’s own arc — engineer, operator, investor — written into a fund.
“We aim to be the preferred investment partner to young startups by making venture capital as simple and transparent as possible.” Dana A. Guthrie
- St. Louis
Raised by a single mother in the inner city.
Five uncles, a lot of sports talk, and a work ethic that stuck.
- 2006 · Milwaukee
B.S. Computer Engineering, MSOE.
Basketball captain at a school where she was one of few Black students. Later: M.S. Energy Engineering, UIC.
- 13 years
Johnson Controls — engineer to global product manager.
Two-time patent recipient. Thinks in systems and problem statements, not hype.
- Angel years
Founded Alchemy Angel Investors.
An angel network focused on early-stage startups — the proving ground for the fund.
- 2021
Fund I: $13.5M, oversubscribed in ~8 months.
Anchored by a $1M commitment from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
- 2026
Fund II: first close on the $25M target.
Wisconsin becomes eight states. ~20 more companies get their first institutional yes.
A fact of record: Dana Guthrie is the first Black woman in Wisconsin to raise a venture capital fund.
Investment Committee
Greater Milwaukee Foundation · Badger Fund of Funds · Kegonsa Capital Partners · Sun Mountain · Bader · WBMI · JFG
Fund I was anchored by a $1M commitment from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
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