Solanus Capital Partners Research
Investment Thesis
Solanus Capital Partners is a Chicago-based early-stage venture fund backing deep tech startups across the Midwest U.S. Its stated view is that breakthrough technology has long been built in the Midwest and funded elsewhere, and that AI has opened a new era of deep-tech innovation powered by world-class universities, engineering talent, and research labs. The fund says it wants to invest before the rest of the market catches up. Focus areas listed on its site are quantum computing, space tech, semiconductors, media, deep tech generally, agtech, cybersecurity, health and wellness, artificial intelligence, and robotics. LinkedIn adds advanced manufacturing and other frontier technologies. Solanus looks for scientific depth, defensible IP, and founders with the domain expertise to see the technology through.
Stage Focus
Pre-seed and seed. The firm says it leads or co-leads rounds at the earliest stages, when risk is highest. Its stated goal is to back 100 startups over the life of the fund, which implies small initial checks and a high-volume, portfolio-style approach.
Check Size and Fund Size
The firm does not publish check sizes. Third-party profiles (Crunchbase person profile for Andy Cwik, and a LinkedIn workshop post) describe Solanus as a $5M early-stage fund. With a goal of 100 companies from a $5M vehicle, average initial checks would be very small, likely tens of thousands of dollars. That is an inference and is not stated by the firm, so check size fields are left empty. The firm also says it welcomes accredited investors, family offices, and institutional partners, which suggests it is still raising or building the fund.
Lead Tendency
The site says it leads or co-leads rounds. Given the fund size, it is more likely to take small positions in rounds it helps organize or to co-lead alongside other seed investors. Lead tendency is recorded as both with moderate confidence.
Recent Activity
The firm was founded in 2026. David Zaretsky, PhD joined as Co-Managing Director in February 2026 (LinkedIn announcement, February 12, 2026). No portfolio investments are announced: the portfolio section of the website reads "Announcements Coming", and the /portfolio path returns a 404. Solanus runs virtual pitch nights; the most recent, in October 2026, featured seven companies: Enclavia.ai, BestShelf.ai, Alchemy Streaming, HuLoop Automation, Pixoft, QDIR, and Niiti. These are pitch presenters, not confirmed portfolio companies. Andy Cwik also led a Go Global World founder workshop on going from idea to MVP, was profiled in VCFamilia's Meet the VC series, and the firm co-hosted an event with JPMorgan Innovation Economy.
Portfolio Highlights
None announced yet. The site states portfolio announcements are coming. This should be revisited in a later refresh.
Team
- Andy Cwik, Managing Director: Serial entrepreneur who has built four companies over 15 years. He describes the fund starting from a LinkedIn message from the founder of Founders Institute asking whether Chicago needs another VC fund. Focus on founders who can articulate and execute a compelling vision.
- David Zaretsky, PhD, Managing Director: Over two decades in AI, electronic design automation, and high-performance computing. Trained as an engineer, professor, and researcher. Brings technical diligence on frontier technology.
Decision Process
Partner-led. The firm says its proprietary investment intelligence platform aggregates ecosystem signals and uses AI-enabled research to produce concise briefs, but every decision is made by the partners. With two managing directors, this is effectively a two-person partnership.
Founder Preferences
Founders with deep domain expertise, grit, and tenacity, building technology with scientific depth and defensible IP. Andy Cwik emphasizes narrative: founders pitching complicated technology should tell a story, because humans remember narrative better than anything else. Quantum founders in Chicago who have had to go to the coasts to raise are a stated target.
Geographic Focus
Midwest U.S., with Chicago as the base. Embedded in universities, incubators, accelerators, research labs, and founder communities across the region. Some third-party profiles describe the fund as investing in U.S.-based startups across all sectors, but the firm's own site and LinkedIn page are Midwest deep-tech focused. The Midwest framing is used here.
Deal Flow and Process
Founders apply through a Decile Hub submission form on the site. The firm also sources through hosted events, virtual pitch nights, ecosystem partnerships, and its own AI-assisted signal platform. Investors and LPs can request an introduction through a booking link.
Gaps
No check size, no ownership targets, no announced portfolio, no exits, and no confirmed fund close. Crunchbase was blocked. Revisit after the firm announces its first investments.