Updated:
Next Level Ventures
Next Level Ventures is an Iowa-based strategic investment firm that manages hundreds of millions in assets across a portfolio of over 45 companies.
Next Level Ventures
Next Level Ventures is an Iowa-based strategic investment firm that manages hundreds of millions in assets across a portfolio of over 45 companies. It runs Curql Funds focused on fintech and credit unions and Iowa Funds for technology companies across industries. Typical investments are $0.5 to $5.0 million at seed through growth stages, with active support on financial, operational, and networking matters.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2014
AUM
$700M
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Des Moines
Corporate office
Des Moines, IA, United States
Principals
Craig Ibsen
Managing Partner
Duane Harris
Partner
Dave Tucker
Partner
Roger Scholten
Partner and General Counsel
Michael Perrin
Partner
Liz Keehner
Partner
Martin Walker
Principal
Elizabeth Caven
Principal
Stephen Schroder
Principal
Barbara Gooch
Director of Administration
Wyatt Powers
Associate
Jacob Gaspar
Analyst
Tej Dhawan
Senior Advisor
Ryan Gerhardy
Senior Advisor
Scott Hoekman
Senior Advisor
Todd Skokan
Senior Advisor
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How does Next Level Ventures source proprietary deal flow?
Sourcing relies on institutional relationships inside Iowa’s public university system — principally Iowa State University and the University of Iowa — as well as principals’ direct networks across Des Moines-based insurance, agricultural, and manufacturing ecosystems. Because the firm’s mandate is geographically captive, it can credibly claim to see nearly every institutionally ready startup inside the state before out-of-region funds do.
What investment stages does Next Level Ventures typically target?
The firm invests from Pre-Seed and Seed through to expansion and growth-stage rounds. Public portfolio data confirms involvement in earliest-institution check sizes, alongside later-stage follow-ons when portfolio companies raise larger syndicated rounds with coastal co-investors.
How is Next Level Ventures related to the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System?
IPERS is the firm’s largest and most structurally important limited partner, having committed across multiple fund vintages. The relationship makes each fundraise effectively a biannual state policy decision as well as a private-markets allocation, which introduces both concentration risk and recurring institutional validation.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on venture capital firms?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: