Venture CapitalRIA · CRD 161160SEC-RegisteredPrivate Fund Adviser

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OCA Ventures

Jim Dugan's OCA Ventures writes $1M–$3M checks into early-stage enterprise software, fintech, consumer, and digital health startups across the US and...

OCA Ventures logo

OCA Ventures

We're a hands-on, collaborative, and entrepreneur friendly early stage venture capital firm. We focus on equity investments in companies with dramatic growth potential, primarily in technology and highly-scalable services businesses.

General information

Firm type

Venture Capital

Year founded

AUM

Undisclosed

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Chicago

Corporate office

Chicago, IL, United States

Principals

Jim Dugan

Founding Managing Partner

Bob Saunders

General Partner

Nick Schoewe

Vice Chairman & General Partner

Kevin McQuillan

General Partner

Steve Shein

Principal

Peter Ianello

Chairman & Co-Founder

John Dugan

Chairman Emeritus & Co-Founder

Sector focus

Enterprise SoftwareFinTechDigital HealthMedia & Entertainment

Frequently asked questions

Who runs investment decisions at OCA Ventures?

The partnership is led by Founding Managing Partner Jim Dugan, alongside General Partners Bob Saunders, Nick Schoewe, and Kevin McQuillan. Co-founders Peter Ianello and John Dugan remain involved as Chairman and Chairman Emeritus. Day-to-day investment execution also involves Principal Steve Shein and a vice-president layer.

What check size and stage does OCA Ventures target?

The firm writes initial checks of $1M–$3M, typically for Seed, Series A, and select Series B rounds. It reserves capacity for follow-on investments. Its public materials specify a preference for companies that have launched a minimum viable product and show early, measurable customer adoption.

Does OCA Ventures lead rounds or co-invest?

OCA Ventures takes both lead and follow-on positions and explicitly states it prefers to syndicate with other venture firms. This collaborative posture suggests it frequently participates in multi-party rounds rather than dominating cap tables.

Which sectors does OCA Ventures explicitly focus on?

The firm concentrates on four areas: enterprise software, consumer software, fintech, and digital health. It also invests in highly scalable services businesses that exhibit technology-driven growth characteristics.

What geographies does OCA Ventures cover?

The firm invests across the United States and Canada. It is headquartered in Chicago and historically rooted in the Midwest, but its portfolio and partner network reflect a national, rather than exclusively regional, mandate.

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