Investor profile
Traction Capital
VC
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Traction Capital is a hybrid venture capital and private equity firm that invests in early-stage startups and acquires mid to late-stage businesses in the Midwest, with a strong focus on Minnesota. The firm targets post-revenue companies with annual sales between $250,000 and $5 million, as well as established businesses with EBITDA ranging from $500,000 to $3 million. Traction Capital believes that startup funding goes beyond cash, providing 'smart capital' that combines financial investment with strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a deep network of over 100 investors (80% of whom are entrepreneurs), industry experts, and EOS implementers. The firm operates using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to drive efficiency, accountability, and growth within portfolio companies, positioning them for rapid growth and attractive exits within 3-7 years. Traction Capital targets essential enduring industries including technology, software, SaaS, e-commerce, staffing, manufacturing, and consumer goods.
Notable quotes
“Zach and I are very impressed by the platform he's developed and can't wait to see the company accelerate as he grows his team.”
“The era of paying consultants to study your problems is over. The future belongs to partners who build solutions that deliver value, quickly.”
Team
Shane Erickson
Founder & Managing Partner
Peyton Green
VP of Investments / Partner
Matt Meents
Strategic Growth Partner
Chris Carey
Strategic Growth Partner
Scott Litman
Strategic Growth Partner
Recent investments
| Company | Round | Size | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank Metal | Seed | $3m | 2025-06-24 |
| PARQA | Unknown | — | 2025-06 |
| Kwikly | Unknown | — | — |
| TroutRoutes | Series A | — | 2022-09-14 |
| GoRout | Unknown | — | — |
| Superior Decks & Railings | Acquisition | — | — |
| Nu-Star | Acquisition | — | — |
| Scribe | Unknown | — | — |
| Impacks | Unknown | — | — |
| PowerPusher | Unknown | — | — |
Frequent co-investors
| VC firm | Deals together |
|---|---|
| Rally Ventures | 1 |
| Pure Play Partners | 1 |
Fit check
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