“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
—Walt Disney

Josh Tolman

Managing Partner

Hi, I'm Josh.

Ever since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by computers, primarily inspired by my dad. He was an early computer science major who took a job out of college at Digital Equipment Corporation. From the moment he installed the massive refrigerator-like computer in our basement, I was hooked. I wrote my first computer program at eight, started the computer team in high school, and went to Washington University in St. Louis to get my degree in computer science.

Once out of school, I quickly realized that there were a lot of programmers out there who were more skilled than me. But where I did excel was in leveraging technology to solve big business problems. In my career, I’ve had experiences across many different industries (consulting, healthcare, education, and financial services), wearing a wide variety of hats throughout (CTO, COO, CSO, CEO, and Board Director).

Living and learning as an entrepreneur over the years gives me a unique perspective when collaborating with founders in my current role as a VC.

I am passionate about the education space and anything that is mission-driven. I’ve had the opportunity to help start a school, advise a company driving charitable giving, work with a company assisting the disenfranchised get hired, and build a company that teaches critical thinking and writing. I mentor at 1871 in Chicago and informally whenever I have the opportunity.

But above all else, nothing fulfills me more than my family.

"...founders that turn setbacks into comebacks."

As a venture capitalist, my primary focus is identifying and nurturing exceptional entrepreneurial talent. I am particularly interested in founders who, while perhaps not having all the traditional trappings of what some might consider "ready for investment," possess an extraordinary vision. If you have been overlooked or underestimated, I want to hear your story.

The ventures that most capture my attention are those with the potential to bring about meaningful societal change. I look for not merely innovations that serve as 'nice-to-haves' but solutions that address compelling needs and challenges. I look for ideas that are not simply incremental improvements but are genuinely transformative.

However, vision and impact, while critical, need to be complemented by proof of traction. Evidence of growing revenue, an expanding user base, or any key performance indicator that lends credence to your venture is essential. Ultimately, I aim to invest in opportunities at the intersection of impact and profitability—a nexus that allows for financial return and meaningful contributions to society.

LeadershipProductSalesCustomer SuccessGo To MarketFInance & Ops

  • Leadership
  • Product
  • Sales
  • Customer Success
  • Go To Market
  • FInance & Ops

COMPANIES

Managed by Josh

Company
Description
Category
Partner Since

bitewell

bitewell
Home of the FoodHealth Score.
Health/BioTech
2023

HiLink

HiLink
Your next class, reimagined.
EdTech
2022

HomeKey

HomeKey
Simplifying home ownership.
PropTech
2022

Honeycomb Credit

Honeycomb Credit
For everyone who wants to invest local.
FinTech
2023

Laws of Motion

Laws of Motion
Ensure your customers buy the right size. Every time.
Enterprise Software
2024

Lunch Payments

Lunch Payments
Cash flow as a service.
FinTech
2023

Polymer

Polymer
Data loss prevention (DLP) for SaaS apps and AI tools.
SecureTech
2023

Predict.law

Predict.law
Take cases with confidence and negotiate better outcomes.
Mudita Studios
2024

Stellis.AI

Stellis.AI
Start Your AI Journey with Stellis AI
AI & ML
2024

Trellis

Trellis
Supercharge your e-commerce merchandising.
AI & ML
2023