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Sandbox Industries is a Chicago-based venture capital firm founded in 2003 by Robert B. Shapiro and Nick Rosa. The firm specializes in connecting established corporations with disruptive startups through strategic corporate investment funds.
Initially, Sandbox operated a startup Foundry, providing seed funding, mentorship, and office space to emerging companies in exchange for equity. Over time, the firm shifted its focus to facilitating partnerships between corporate partners and external entrepreneurs. Notably, Sandbox founded two business accelerators: Healthbox, established in 2011 to support healthcare-related startups, and Excelerate, launched in 2010 to assist tech-enabled startups.
These accelerators have since become part of the TechStars accelerator network as TechStars Chicago. Sandbox manages several funds, including the Blue Cross Blue Shield Venture Partners (BCBSVP) Funds I, II, and III, which invest in healthcare-related startups of strategic relevance to BlueCross BlueShield. Additionally, Sandbox co-manages the Cultivian Sandbox Food and Agriculture Fund II, focusing on investments in food and agriculture technology companies.
The firm's investment philosophy centers on fostering innovation in critical industries such as healthcare, insurance, and food & agriculture, aiming to drive lasting change and improve human livelihoods.
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Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML)
Big Data & Analytics
Health & Wellness
InsurTech
FinTech
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United States