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Katie Birge
VP Platform at M25
Katie Birge is the VP Platform at M25, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in Midwest-based startups.12 She is a lifelong Hoosier, born and raised in Jasper, Indiana.2 Katie has a diverse background in technology, economic development, and startup advocacy.1
Education and Early Career
Katie studied Communication and Classical Civilization at DePauw University before earning her M.A. in Telecommunications from Indiana University Bloomington.12 Her early career included roles such as:
- Marketing Strategist at Envisage Technologies LLC
- Director of the Bloomington Technology Partnership
- Executive Director at Launch Indy1
Current Role at M25
As VP Platform at M25, Katie's responsibilities include:
- Sourcing deals and working directly with portfolio companies
- Growing the Midwest startup ecosystem
- Organizing events and initiatives to support M25's portfolio12
Katie joined M25 in January 2020 as Associate and Head of Platform, and was promoted to VP Platform in October 2023.1
Achievements and Initiatives
Throughout her career, Katie has:
- Founded Bloomington Code School, a workforce development program
- Co-founded B-Start pre-accelerator
- Created a coworking space and entrepreneurship center as Executive Director of Launch Indy
- Been named one of Bloomington's 10 Under 40 by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce12
Katie is known for her expertise in social media campaigns, project management, and technology-related economic development.1 Her work at M25 involves supporting a portfolio of over 130 companies, focusing on areas such as talent acquisition, events, marketing, and brand management.3
Highlights
Calling Kansas City-based talent! M25 portfolio company Super Dispatch is hiring for several open roles including Operations Manager, Lead Product Architect, and Head of Product. Check 'em all out here and let me know if you have any questions about the roles! And tag a friend!
Another killer year at the VC Platform Global Community Global Summit. So many great sessions and events, but some highlights for me - teaming up with Jim Conti for a roundtable on getting started with talent capabilities, seeing so many other Midwest platform friends (Ellie Davis Stephanie Rich Madelyn Rutter Shannon Stobbe Shroyer Jenna Borowski Joelle Cosmas Meghan Hunt Peyton Murray), honorary Midwesterners Stefan Dienstag Dhinuka P. Marlise Hunter and Joshua Goodfield and some great conversations led by Mandy Yoh and Madelyn Heart + getting to share this experience with Ruth Brungard.
The VC Platform community is such a magical group of people, and I'm thrilled to get to be a part of it. Already looking forward to next year!
