MainStreet

MainStreet is neither a family office nor a venture capital firm. It is a venture-backed technology company that provides a software platform for small businesses and startups to automate bookkeeping and claim government tax credits, most notably the R&D tax credit. The firm generates revenue through fees on credits recovered, not by managing family capital or making direct investments.

MainStreet charges a fee based on the tax credits it successfully recovers for its clients, primarily focusing on the IRS Section 41 credit for qualifying research and development activities. The platform integrates with existing payroll and accounting software to identify eligible expenses, prepare documentation, and file the claim. This model aligns MainStreet's revenue directly with the value it delivers to each client.

MainStreet's known venture capital backers include Gradient Ventures, Google's AI-focused fund, which led the firm's seed round in 2020. The company went on to raise a $60 million Series A round in 2021, with participation from SignalFire. The funds are used for platform development and scaling operations, not for managing a portfolio of outside assets.