About CEI Ventures
We view our investment relationships as collaborative partnerships.
In addition to the investment of capital, we are actively involved in our portfolio companies participating in strategic, financing, capitalization and exit planning, as well as team building and recruiting.
We pride ourselves on being a Community Development Venture Capital firm (CDVC) that provides equity capital to businesses in underinvested markets, seeking market-rate financial returns, as well as the creation of good jobs, wealth, and entrepreneurial capacity.
Our Strengths
A broad network of relationships
with co-investors and entrepreneurs, including our Board of Directors and Advisory Board, that provide relevant introductions and business assistance.
Industry connections and expertise
in software, consumer products and services, telecommunications, food and beverage, financial services, health care, biotechnology and environmentally sustainable products and services.
Experience in managing funds in compliance with state and federal incentive programs
like the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit that match investors financial, social and regulatory goals.
Our partnership with the Good Jobs experts
at our parent, CEI, to offer pragmatic solutions to improve job quality in order to boost worker recruitment, retention and company performance.
A commitment to boosting socially and environmentally responsible businesses
with a track record of raising over $67 million and investing in 70 companies that have created 3,300 net new jobs in geographic regions and with demographic populations often overlooked by traditional venture capital investors;
Stories
Our client testimonials serve as powerful real-world endorsements, providing compelling evidence of the value and impact we bring to our clients’ lives and businesses. By sharing their stories, we aim to instill trust, build credibility, and inspire confidence in our offerings.
“In December 2021, CEI Ventures made their first investment in HighByte, helping the company close a fully subscribed $3.5 million Series Seed round to fuel the company’s next phase of growth. Funds were used across R&D, sales, marketing, and customer success, enabling the company to add 10 new employees and grow to a team of 22. CEI Ventures has been a supportive as an investor and as an observer on the company’s Board of Directors. In February 2023, CEI Ventures once again invested in HighByte for what promises to be a big year ahead.
CEI Workforce Solutions has also been a helpful partner to HighByte, reviewing and providing feedback on job descriptions to ensure equity and unbiased recruiting practices.”
– Torey Penrod-Cambra, HighByte Chief Communications Officer
“We have made tremendous progress since founding the company, and this financing reflects strong support for our platform, people, strategy, and, most importantly, our mission. CEI’s investment positions us to be able to bring our chronic stroke asset to market, advance our pipeline and further realize our vision of making a significant impact in the world.”
– Brian Harris, MedRhythms CEO
“One of the greatest challenges we’ve faced as a company in rural Vermont has been building a qualified workforce to keep up with our growth. With CEI’s encouragement, we’ve used a good jobs strategy focused on job quality and company culture to attract and keep talented employees.”
– Jeff Weaber, Aqua ViTea CEO