# Open Prairie

Open Prairie is a Private Equity based in Effingham, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Effingham, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 400 East Jefferson, Effingham, IL 62401, United States
- **Founded:** 1997
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** www.openprairie.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/open-prairie-ventures

## About

Open Prairie is a multi-faceted private equity fund management firm based in the heartland of America with headquarters in Effingham, Illinois, and deep roots in agriculture and rural America. The firm has consistently focused on facilitating capital accessibility in underserved markets and has managed investment portfolios ranging from technology-based venture capital to farmland. It builds collaborative partnerships with portfolio companies to accelerate growth and provide top-tier returns to investors.

## Sectors

- AgriTech & FoodTech
- Real Estate

## People

- Jim Schultz — Founder and Managing Partner

## Questions

### How does Open Prairie source opportunities given its Effingham headquarters?

Open Prairie's geographic position in downstate Illinois is central to its origination model. The firm uses its heartland location to access deals in agriculture and rural industries that are rarely marketed through traditional broker networks. This local-presence sourcing creates a pipeline of investments that coastal managers generally do not see.

### Does Open Prairie participate in fund commitments, direct deals, or both?

Open Prairie structures its capital deployment through commingled closed-end funds. Limited partners commit to vehicles such as the Open Prairie Rural Opportunities Fund II, and the firm deploys that capital into both direct portfolio company positions and real-asset holdings. It does not operate as a fund-of-funds.

### What is the relationship between Open Prairie's venture funds and its farmland strategy?

The venture funds and farmland strategies operate as distinct sleeves under the same management company. The venture funds back early-stage and growth-stage companies, while the Rural Opportunities Funds acquire income-producing agricultural real estate. This dual construct provides diversified exposure to the rural economy from a single manager.

## Related profiles

- [Open Path Financial](https://altss.com/profile/open-path-financial)
- [Open Road Capital](https://altss.com/profile/open-road-capital)

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Last updated: 2026-08-11T15:07:41.444Z

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