Mike Schatzman

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

2022 - Current

Venture Forward Capital is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investing. We back outcome-oriented founders with unique domain expertise tackling real problems. We invest across the early stages, integrating our 60+ years experience, our notable connections and our capital with the leaders of tomorrow's greatest companies. Together, we are co-creating businesses that deliver in even the most-challenging market conditions.

Director Board of Directors

2022

Advisor and Investor

2024

Advisory Board Director

2023

Partner and Advisory Board Director for UpLevel Digital Marketing specializing in a formulaic approach to help clients meet and exceed their sales goals.

Chairman

2024

Your numbers, Our expertise. We provide the visibility that your business needs. Transform your finance and accounting journey with our customized outsourced services that give you peace of mind. Whether you're raising your first round, growing your bootstrapped business, or trying to clean up your books, you can elevate your business with strategic finance and accounting services. It doesn't matter if you're a small family business or a VC-backed enterprise scaling your business, we can work together to drive your business forward with precise financial operations, informed decision-making, and a partnership built on results.

Founding Member

2024

Member

2022

Advisory Board Member

2024

Advisory Board Member

2024

We identify, build and scale custom automation solutions to transform the future of food. Vebu is a robotic automation company, seeking to innovate with industry-leading corporate partners to build solutions for the food industry.

Proprietor

2014

www.franklinroom.com Quintessentially CHICAGO. Unequivocally DELICIOUS. The Franklin Room celebrates the sense of connection one can only find in the neighborhood taverns of Chicago. Offering classic American tavern fare and no shortage of whiskey flair, our sophisticated speakeasy is your local go-to for quality meat dishes, fresh seafood, classic cocktails and the neighborhood tavern experience our city has perfected. WHEN YOU TASTE AUTHENTICITY, YOU KNOW IT Certain classic flavors are unmistakable. Our menu of delectable turn-of-the-century inspired American tavern fare starts there, then elevates the experience with a modern twist that creates a culinary experience you simply have to taste to believe. It’s perfectly complimented by our beverage program, which showcases creative cocktails and a meticulous selection of spirits, wine and beer with a strong focus on independent distillers and limited-edition rare releases. Bring them together and you’ve got a uniquely Chicagoan experience, centuries in the making. OUR WHISKEY KEEP Joining our exclusive Whiskey Keep club gives you access to a special menu of spirits you purchase by the bottle, as well as your very own locker to store it in so you can enjoy it at your leisure. It’s an elevated bottle service experience that indulges all the senses, and there are no dues or membership fees whatsoever. Come see why the Whiskey Keep is a must-join for anyone with a taste for the bold, the rare and the unexpected in the world of fine spirits.