Cortado Ventures is excited to announce that we have reached $20 million raised for Fund I, twice our original goal and in half the time. This venture capital fund size enables Cortado to fully realize our goal of attracting, investing in, and supporting best-in-class technology startups across our target sectors. Already Cortado has invested in eight category-defining and disruptive companies, and we look forward to continued investment into such companies over the coming many months.
Cortado’s milestone and ascendancy is a signal that Oklahoma is serious about building the future. With the support of so many, Cortado has planted a flag for venture capital in the middle of the country.
Our founders believe that legacy sectors in Oklahoma and the Midcontinent are overlooked, underfunded, and ripe for innovation and venture investment. The talent and entrepreneurial spirit in Oklahoma provide fertile ground for a new wave of companies. Cortado’s team is made up of founders and operators who have built companies in different sectors in Oklahoma. We bring that perspective to our hustle and support of our portfolio companies.
Finally, Cortado’s staff, advisors, and dozens of investors provide a deep bench of talent to source, validate and support opportunities. Many thanks to the support of these leaders and others building an entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout the region.
This week, Cortado announced our most recent investment. Ox’s state-of-the-art platform integrates with a company’s current order management system to transform its brick-and-mortar stores into micro-distribution centers through optimized pick-from-store operations. The investment enables Ox to execute on current pilots and make key hires.
Ox’s augmented reality technology can make picking orders up to 15% faster and 80% more accurate than any other existing technology. This novel system has attracted industry leaders, including numerous Fortune 500 companies.
We are inspired by the team at Ox including Charu Thomas, Tanner Green and Phillip Cannon. The pandemic is changing retail and this team has the vision and ability to bring solutions to retailers.
Thanks to Blake Bixler for sourcing this deal and for joining the board at Ox. It’s a pleasure to co-lead alongside the top notch team at MaC Venture Capital, with participation from a great group of investors: KCRise Fund, Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Fund (AOL founder Steve Case), Willow Growth Partners, Florida Funders, Cadron Capital Partners, and Vuzix Corporation.