Cowles Company

About Cowles Company

Cowles Company is a fourth generation family-owned enterprise. It runs a portfolio of legacy companies and invests in high potential growth businesses for the long-term benefit of shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where it operates. It targets investments that take advantage of one or more of these themes: - Disruptive media, energy and consumer technologies - The aging of the baby boomers - Global interest in sustainable and renewable products and energy - Heightened interest in physical and virtual security - Local businesses with potential to address national scale markets The company looks for clear points of defensibility such as strong brand potential, protected distribution, patented products and exclusive product or service rights, and for partners who share its regard for trust, integrity, hard work and communication. The target investment range is $250,000 to $5 million. Cowles Company has long been a leader in supporting community activities and area growth. It took the lead in founding regional economic development efforts including the 1974 World's Fair, Momentum and Focus 21. Hundreds of charitable organizations have received in kind or other capacity building assistance from Cowles Company, its subsidiaries, company volunteers and the Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation. In early-stage companies, Cowles favors disruptive technologies and business practices that accelerate growth, with clear points of defensibility, proof of market and the ability to scale. It seeks partners who share its values of trust, community and hard work. Focus sectors are Healthcare, Media, Environmental Advancement and B2B SaaS. The target investment is a first check of $250,000 to $1 million in Series Seed to Series A rounds.