Mary Grove spent 15 years at Google where she founded and scaled Google for Startups, deploying over $100M across 100+ countries, and now brings those global ecosystem-building lessons to her work as an investor at Bread and Butter Ventures. She has designed a structured corporate-VC collaboration model called the Bread & Butter Innovation Circle that connects portfolio startups with 15+ major corporations including 3M, General Mills, and Mayo Clinic for commercial pilots and potential acquisitions, while championing Minnesota's corporate density as a strategic advantage for startup growth.

• Centers investment thesis heavily on digital health, food technology, and enterprise software, with a specific 2024 focus on areas like access to care, the intersection of fintech and healthcare, and preventative solutions. Frequently highlights portfolio companies working on impactful societal issues, such as platforms improving maternal health outcomes or services combining clinical excellence with technology to treat addiction.
• Deeply committed to the Minnesota startup ecosystem and consistently expresses pride in the local business community. Often discusses the advantages of building companies in the region, participates in events like Twin Cities Startup Week, and supports local institutions like the Star Tribune, where a family member holds a leadership role.
• Prioritizes founder education by sharing practical advice on navigating the venture capital relationship. Regularly posts content aimed at demystifying the industry, such as guides on how to handle seed-stage board meetings, glossaries defining complex financial terms, and tips for establishing a go-to-market strategy to ensure transparency between investors and entrepreneurs.
• Advocates for diversity and inclusion within the tech sector, specifically focusing on leveling the playing field for women and underrepresented groups. promoting statistics about the funding gap for female founders and celebrating initiatives like Silicon North Stars, a program designed to support and connect the next generation of diverse technology leaders.