Jeff Cantalupo

Fueling Growth – Funding Strategies for Hemp Beverage Brands, July 11 @ 9:00  - 9:45 am

Jeff Cantalupo is an entrepreneur, investor and brand builder. In 2010, he founded Listen, a consumer obsessed venture capital firm to back and build the brands of tomorrow.

Across four funds, Listen has invested in 20 early stage brands including consumer-tech breakouts Calm, Raise and Own Up while also backing consumer product successes such as Angel's Envy (acquired by Bacardi), Factor_ (acquired by HelloFresh) and Kiwi Co.

Jeff currently serves on the Board of Directors of Listen Portfolio companies,The Fresh Factory, Miss Grass, Black Buffalo, Fable, Go Brewing and previously held director positions at Raise, Interior Define and Factor.

Prior to founding Listen, Jeff worked as Vice President, Account Director at Leo Burnett, where he honed his craft managing iconic brands such as Marlboro and Pop-Tarts. It was at Leo where Jeff developed his passion for innovation as he routinely participated on agency/client innovation teams charged with identifying opportunities, developing new products and launching new brands in the market. Having spent part of his career abroad, he is also an expert at maintaining global brand consistency and relevancy across multiple cultures.

In addition to his professional career, Jeff is active in the community serving as a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and as a Board Member for Ronald McDonald House Charities Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.