Selected Portfolio Investments
We are pleased to have played a role in the success of the following companies
Current
Exits
CleanScapes is a Seattle-based waste management company founded in 1997 that provides sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential waste collection and recycling. CleanScapes has built a reputation for delivering exceptional customer service, innovative solutions, and a commitment to sustainability.
The company offers a wide range of services, including waste collection, recycling, composting, and hazardous waste disposal. CleanScapes works closely with its customers, including municipalities, commercial properties, business improvement districts, and stadiums in Washington, Oregon, and California, to develop customized waste management programs that meet their specific needs and requirements. The company has a fleet of modern, fuel-efficient trucks and uses advanced technology to optimize its operations and reduce its environmental impact.
In November 2014, CleanScapes closed a merger transaction with Recology, a waste management company based in San Francisco, to provide waste collection and recycling services in the Pacific Northwest. Recology is the largest U.S. employee-owned company in the industry and is known for its innovative recycling programs and has been a leader in waste reduction and sustainability for over a century.
Together, CleanScapes and Recology are committed to reducing waste and promoting sustainability in the communities they serve. They offer a range of educational programs and resources to help customers reduce waste, recycle more, and adopt sustainable practices. CleanScapes and Recology are dedicated to building a more sustainable future by providing responsible waste management solutions and promoting environmental stewardship, helping communities reach zero-waste.
Company Timeline
1997
Company founded in Seattle, Washington, by a group of entrepreneurs with a passion for environmental sustainability and waste reduction.
Years
Relationship with KIG - details coming soon.
2014
Recology and CleanScapes join forces. The merger brought together two of the most innovative and sustainable waste management companies in the United States. Recology helped CleanScapes to expand its services and reach, while also providing Recology with a foothold in the Pacific Northwest.
Full Circle Farms was founded in 1996 by Andrew Stout, a fourth-generation farmer who wanted to create a sustainable agriculture model that would provide fresh, organic produce to local communities. He started the farm on a small plot of land in Carnation, Washington, and over the years, it has grown into a thriving farm operation with multiple locations in the Pacific Northwest region.
From its humble beginnings, Full Circle Farms has remained committed to promoting sustainable agriculture and providing fresh, organic produce to local communities. In addition, Full Circle Farms operates a farm-to-table delivery service that delivers locally grown organic produce to customers' homes. They also offer a variety of recipes and cooking tips to help customers make the most of their produce and promote healthy eating.
Company Timeline
1996
Andrew Stout and Wendy Munroe found Full Circle Farm in Washington State's Snoqualmie Valley in the town of Carnation, located about 30 miles east of Seattle. The Snoqualmie Valley is known for its fertile soil and moderate climate, making it well-suited Full Circle's organic, community-supported agriculture (CSA) program.
Andrew grew up on a farm in eastern Washington and has a background in economics and business, which he applied to building Full Circle's successful and sustainable farm business.
Wendy has a background in environmental science and worked in environmental education before co-founding Full Circle Farm. She brought her knowledge of sustainable agriculture and soil conservation to the farm and helped develop their regenerative farming practices.
Years
Relationship with KIG - details coming soon.
2006
Full Circle Farms acquires additional land in Carnation, Washington, and begins growing a wider variety of organic crops to include in their CSA Program.
2012
Full Circle Farm partners with other organic farms in the Pacific Northwest region to offer a wider range of produce to their customers throughout the year. The partnership allows them to offer more variety and quantity of produce to their customers, as well as to support other local farmers in the region.
2020
Full Circle announces a partnership with Imperfect Foods, an online grocery delivery service that sources "imperfect" produce that would otherwise go to waste.
It is estimated that 35% of food produced in the U.S. goes to waste. The carbon footprint of wasted food in the nation alone is greater than that of the global airline industry. Through the partnership with Imperfect Food, Full Circle is able to expand its reach and provide its fresh, organic produce to customer in new markets while also reducing food waste.
Learn more about Imperfect Foods at their website, located here.
Present Day
While Andrew and Wendy are no longer active in the day-to-day operations of the farm, Full Circle Farm continues to operate under their original vision and values.
Virticus Corporation is a wireless lighting control company headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. The company specializes in providing innovative wireless lighting control solutions for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. Virticus offers a variety of products and services, including wireless sensors, control modules, and software, which help building owners and operators to reduce energy consumption, optimize lighting systems, and improve building performance.
The company's wireless lighting control systems are designed to be easy to install, scalable, and customizable, making them suitable for a wide range of applications and building types. Virticus is committed to providing high-quality products and services that help customers to reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint while improving the comfort and productivity of building occupants.
In 2015, Virticus Corporation was acquired by LSI Industries Inc, a leading provider of lighting, graphics, and technology solutions for various industries including retail, hospitality, and commercial markets. The acquisition of Virticus was part of LSI's strategy to expand its product offerings and capabilities in wireless lighting controls and energy management systems. With the acquisition, LSI was able to offer a comprehensive range of lighting and control solutions that could help customers optimize energy savings and reduce their carbon footprint. The acquisition also allowed Virticus to leverage LSI's extensive distribution network and industry expertise to accelerate its growth and expand its customer base.
Company Timeline
2007
Virticus Corporation is founded in Beaverton, Oregon with a focus on providing wireless lighting control solutions for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
2011
Virticus wins the "Most Innovative Product" award at the Lightfair International trade show for its wireless lighting control system.
2011 - 2012
Relationship with KIG - details coming soon.
2012
Virticus wins the "Best Wireless Lighting Controls" award at the Lightfair International trade show for the second time.
2015
Virticus is acquired by LSI Industries Inc, a leading provider of lighting, graphics, and technology solutions for various industries.
Present Day
Virticus continues to operate as a subsidiary of LSI Industries Inc. Virticus focuses on providing advanced wireless lighting control solutions, including sensors, control modules, and software, for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. The company has also expanded its product offerings to include wireless HVAC controls and other building automation solutions.
Give InKind is a social enterprise that was founded in 2016 by a team of entrepreneurs who were passionate about using technology to make it easier for people to support their loved ones during times of need. The founders of InKind had all experienced first-hand the challenges and difficulties that come with caring for a sick or injured family member or friend, and they wanted to create a platform that would make it easier for others to provide support and encouragement to those who are going through a difficult time.
The idea for InKind came about when one of the founders was diagnosed with cancer and received an outpouring of support from friends and family members. While he was grateful for the help, he found that coordinating all of the offers of assistance and keeping everyone updated on his progress was overwhelming and time-consuming. He realized that there was a need for a centralized platform that would make it easier for people to offer support and stay connected during times of crisis.
InKind's platform allows users to create personalized support pages for their loved ones in times of need, such as fighting illness, grieving a loss, or welcoming a new baby. The pages can include messages of encouragement, offers of assistance, and requests for donations to help cover expenses related to the need. Friends and family members can then visit these pages to offer and organize support. The platform also offers ideas and articles for reference about common types of need that might not occur to the user.
In addition to its online platform, InKind also works with organizations and companies to help them support their employees or members. The company has partnered with several major corporations and non-profit organizations to provide customized support pages and fundraising tools for their employees and members.
Overall, InKind is a social enterprise that is making a positive impact in the world by making it easier for people to show support and kindness to those who are going through a difficult time. With its innovative platform and commitment to social impact, InKind is poised to continue making a difference in the lives of thousands of people across the United States and beyond.
Company Timeline
2016
Give InKind is founded by a team of entrepreneurs who are passionate about using technology to make it easier for people to support their loved ones during times of need.
2018 - 2019
InKind partners with several major corporations and non-profit organizations to provide customized support pages and fundraising tools for their employees and members and continues to expand these partnerships.
2020
Give InKind sees a surge in demand for its platform as the COVID-19 pandemic causes widespread disruption and hardship. The company responds by launching several new initiatives to support those who are most affected by the pandemic, including healthcare workers and small businesses.
2021
InKind continues to grow and expand its reach, and is recognized by several prominent organizations for its innovative approach to social impact. The company also launches a new mobile app to make it even easier for users to create and manage support pages on the go.
Present Day
Give InKind continues to be a leader in the social enterprise space, and is featured in several major media outlets for its work in promoting kindness and compassion in the world. The company also announces plans to expand its sevices to new countries and regions, with a focus on building strong local partnerships and creating customized solutions to meet the unique needs of each community.