Fund founder Jim O’Reilly says it was “fairly impossible” to raise money. For O’Reilly, explaining Upwind to potential investors proved to be a challenge in itself. For one thing, O’Reilly insisted Upwind was not a “fund” but rather a “new model” for developing startups.

If patience is a virtue, then Minnesota venture capitalists have become downright saintly.Faced with a weak economy that has stifled initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions, local investors are still looking for exits well after the funds have closed. Throw in tougher regulatory scrutiny for medical devices and drugs and an exit can suddenly [...]

Another day, another new local early stage fund.Upwind Medical Partners is launching a $6 million to $8 million early stage fund that will focus on commercializing intellectual property from health care/research institutions like the University of Minnesota, Wisconsin Alumni Research Fund (WARF), Allina Hospitals & Clinics, and John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.Founded by Jim O’Reilly, [...]