Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 16, 2026

CSA Partners

CSA Partners is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin–based venture capital firm founded in 2013 by Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, who committed at least US$10 million of his own capital to invest in early-stage companies in Wisconsin and the broader Midwest. The firm leases 35,000 square feet at remodelled space inside the historic John Pritzlaff Hardware Company building.

Last revised
Jun 16, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
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372 w
Citations
12
Source
Wikipedia ↗
CSA Partners
Company type
Private
IndustryVenture capital
HeadquartersMilwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Area served
North America
Key people
Managing Directors:
Chris Abele
Pat Farley
Steve Mech
Brian Taffora
Websitewww.csapartners.com

CSA Partners is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin–based venture capital firm founded in 2013 by Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, who committed at least US$10 million of his own capital to invest in early-stage companies in Wisconsin and the broader Midwest. 12 The firm leases 35,000 square feet at remodelled space inside the historic John Pritzlaff Hardware Company building.3

CSA Partners hosts the monthly "1 Million Cups" start up showcase.4

History

CSA Partners was launched in 2013.1 In 2013–2014, statewide venture reporting listed CSA Partners with US$10 million in committed capital among Wisconsin investment groups.5 The firm’s first disclosed deal was leading a US$550,000 round in Scanalytics in October 2013, followed by continued early-stage activity aimed at technology-enabled startups. 1

Investments

CSA Partners’ first investment led Scanalytics’ US$550,000 round in 2013.1 In April 2014 the firm participated as a new investor in Madison-based food-ordering company EatStreet’s US$6 million Series B financing.6 In August 2015 the fund led a US$2 million seed round for Milwaukee-relocated Bright Cellars, a subscription wine retailer that had joined the local ecosystem after participating in gener8tor. 789

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Gallagher, Kathleen (2 November 2013). "Chris Abele's money at work in venture fund". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  2. Gallagher, Kathleen. "Chris Abele's money at work in venture fund". jsonline.com. Journal Sentinel, Inc. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  3. "Apex Portal CSAPartners's site". www.apex-portal.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  4. Bauter, Alison (August 29, 2014). "CSA Partners plan startup hub". bizjournals.com. Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved June 23, 2015. the firm has been co-hosting the monthly 1 Million Cups startup showcase
  5. Gallagher, Kathleen (4 January 2014). "Wisconsin start-ups attracting investors". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  6. Gallagher, Kathleen (7 April 2014). "Madison start-up EatStreet raises $6 million from investors". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  7. Gallagher, Kathleen (18 August 2015). "Wine retailer Bright Cellars raises $2 million in new investments". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  8. "Wine subscription service Bright Cellars raises $2.8 million". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 18 May 2018.
  9. Gallagher, Kathleen (8 March 2019). "Subscription service Bright Cellars plans to change how wine is made". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
External links