Mode VC
Confirmed by the firmIllinois

Listen

Listen, based in Illinois, is a consumer specialist that mostly leads Seed and Series A rounds with checks ranging from $500k to $10M, backing companies like Calm and Kiwi Co.

Website LinkedIn XPortfolioPitch page
Entry stageSeed, Series A
Check size$500K to $10M
Leads roundsYes
FocusConsumer
Latest fundn/a
Investing team4 peopleNo activity since Sep

Who you would pitch at Listen

4 people on the investing team, 3 of them partners who can make the call. Partners are listed first.

Jeff CantalupoManaging Partner, FounderHe works at the intersection of consumer insights, capital, and creativity.
Rick DesaiManaging Partner, InvestmentsHe focuses on a concentrated investment model for consumer brands.
Brentos FernandezPartner, CreativeHe previously served as Creative Director at several advertising agencies.
Johnnie YuInvestmentsHe invests in pre-seed to Series A consumer brands across various sectors including social commerce, retail, and Web3/crypto.

Work here and something is wrong? Ask for a correction.

Writes $500K to $10M checks. Its smallest check is larger than 71% of firms in the atlas.

Bars: how many firms in the atlas report each band. Highlighted: this firm.

No recent activity since September 2026. Quiet does not mean closed.

Weekly count of activity updates. Activity is not a confirmed deal.

Before you pitch

Ownership target10-12%

Notable investments

CalmDameKiwi CoPublic GoodsSlumberkinsFactor75Black BuffaloRugietMiss GrassElorea

In their words

LISTEN.coLISTEN.co / Chicagowww.listen.co
Founders and investors at a Mode VC gathering

Send Mode VC your deck

Raising a pre-seed or seed round? We write $1M to $5M first checks and help founders with distribution. A partner reads every deck.

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Alert me when Listen is active

One email when this firm shows new activity. Nothing else.

Firms like Listen

Bluestein Ventures$500K to $3M
Consumer Ventures$1M to $3M
iFly.vc$500K to $10M
Maveron$500K to $10M
Benchstrength$500K to $3M
Forerunner Ventures$1M to $30M · active Oct 14

On these lists

Seed investors in United States2836Series A investors in United States1790Seed consumer investors102Series A consumer investors79Seed investors in Illinois54Series A investors in Illinois48Seed investors3020Series A investors1867

Questions

What stage does Listen invest in?

Listen reports entry at seed, series a.

How much does Listen invest?

Listen reports checks of $500K to $10M.

Does Listen lead rounds?

Yes. Listen says it can lead.

Who are the partners at Listen?

Jeff Cantalupo (Managing Partner, Founder), Rick Desai (Managing Partner, Investments), Brentos Fernandez (Partner, Creative).

Is Listen active right now?

No recent activity since September 2026.

Work at Listen? Claim or correct this profile.