LAKE STATE CAPITAL

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LAKE STATE CAPITAL

LAKE STATE CAPITALLAKE STATE CAPITALLAKE STATE CAPITAL
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OUR TEAM
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Lake State Capital

Lake State CapitalLake State CapitalLake State Capital

About US

 Based in Minnesota with a national reach, Lake State Venture Capital is led by founders and operators who’ve built and run real businesses. We bring capital, strategic insight, and hands-on operational support to help companies scale sustainably and exit stronger. 

OPERATING COMPANIES

Merus, LLC

Decorated Apparel Expo

Decorated Apparel Expo

Founded

 Merus is a diversified agribusiness focused on feed, grain, and food merchandising across domestic and international markets. The company operates at the intersection of sourcing, logistics, and market execution. 

Decorated Apparel Expo

Decorated Apparel Expo

Decorated Apparel Expo

Acquisition

 DAX is a long-standing B2B trade show circuit for the decorated apparel industry. We acquired the business from a retiring owner who operated it for over 25 years and continue to build on its reputation for education, connection & industry leadership. 

VENTURE CAPITAL

Oculogica

Oculogica

Oculogica

Active

 Oculogica develops EyeBOX®, an FDA-cleared diagnostic device that detects concussions by measuring abnormalities in eye movement. The test is baseline-free, non-invasive, and delivers results in under four minutes. 

OcuPro

Oculogica

Oculogica

Active

 OcuPro develops an eye-tracking-based cannabis impairment test designed to enhance roadside field sobriety assessments. The system delivers rapid results in field settings. 

DAF Gives

Oculogica

Solve Finance

Active

 DAF Gives builds a platform that simplifies and modernizes charitable giving through donor-advised funds and related vehicles. We have multiple partners serving in active advisory roles and working closely with the founders on strategy. 

Solve Finance

Solve Finance

Solve Finance

Active

 Solve Finance provides independent financial guidance focused on borrowing and credit, separating advice from advertising-driven incentives. We invested directly and supported the founder with marketing strategy and social media execution through our in-house team. 

MYLO, Inc.

Solve Finance

MYLO, Inc.

Active

 MYLO provides technology-enabled storage and moving solutions that manage the secure movement of customer belongings at scale. We invested across multiple rounds and continue to support the company as it grows. 

GROWTH CAPITAL

Pitt Cooking

Salads & Smoothies, LLC

Salads & Smoothies, LLC

Minority Investor | Active

 PITT Cooking designs bespoke kitchen systems with gas burners integrated directly into the countertop. We are a minority investor and board partner, supporting the team on strategy and growth. 

Salads & Smoothies, LLC

Salads & Smoothies, LLC

Salads & Smoothies, LLC

Majority Owner | Exited

 We entered through the acquisition of a corporate-owned store, expanded through additional franchise rights and new leases, and achieved a successful exit prior to full build-out. 

HOW WE PARTNER

Operators first.
Our team has built and run companies, not just invested in them. That experience informs how we show up as partners.


Hands-on by design.
We work closely with leadership teams to improve operations, sharpen strategy, and navigate growth.


Built to last.
We focus on creating durable businesses that generate long-term value and real options for founders.

Contact Us

Send us a message!

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Lake State Capital

10050 Crosstown Circle, Suite 620, Eden Prairie, MN, USA

Copyright © 2026 Lake State Capital - All Rights Reserved.


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