New Member Spotlight: Riverwalk Capital Partners

IVCA continues to grow through the addition of new members who strengthen Illinois' venture capital and private equity ecosystem. By joining the association, these firms bring fresh perspectives, expanded networks, and new opportunities for collaboration across the industry.

This month, we're pleased to introduce Riverwalk Capital Partners, a Chicago-based venture capital firm focused on fintech and hospitality technology. We recently spoke with Matt Hilding, General Partner, about the firm's background, investment philosophy, and what they hope to gain through participation in the IVCA community.

New Member: Riverwalk Capital Partners
Representative: Matt Hilding, General Partner

IVCA: What is a brief history of and background of Riverwalk Capital Partners?

Riverwalk Capital Partners: Riverwalk is a Chicago based venture firm investing from pre-seed through Series B, with a focus on fintech and hospitality technology. We started out in wealth management with IHT Wealth Management and hospitality via Bottleneck Management, and grew into venture from there. We’re an experienced group of founders, owners and operators and bring a wealth of experience to the companies we invest in.

IVCA: Why did the firm decide to join the Illinois Venture Capital Association?

Riverwalk: Chicago is a great place to build and back companies, and we want to be more plugged into the community doing it. We were introduced to IVCA through current members and we wanted to learn from peers, share what we’re seeing, and meet founders and co-investors we might not run into otherwise.

IVCA: How does Riverwalk support portfolio companies beyond providing capital?

Riverwalk: If we do right by the company and the founder(s), the investor outcome follows. In practice that means backing teams early, being useful beyond the check, using our network of connections to help drive revenue, pilot applications within our sister companies and help them get to the next stage without a lot of friction.

IVCA: How does Riverwalk evaluate innovation when considering new investments?

Riverwalk: In fintech and hospitality tech, the best companies usually make something meaningfully easier, faster, or cheaper for an operator or a customer. Past that, we ask whether the innovation can turn into a business with healthy economics. Once we’re in, we help with the unglamorous stuff that moves the needle: introductions, go to market thinking, pricing, hiring, and getting ready for the next raise.

IVCA: How have the firm's roots in wealth management influenced its culture and investment approach?

Riverwalk: Wealth management teaches you that you’re managing other people’s money, and that sticks with you. It shapes how we think about trust, communication, and long term relationships. We take stewardship seriously, we’re disciplined about risk, and we keep our investors informed rather than leaving them guessing. It also gives us a good feel for what investors actually want and need, which is a real advantage when you’re building a fund and a firm.

IVCA: What qualities do you look for when evaluating founders and early-stage companies?

Riverwalk: We’re looking for people first. Is this a founder we’d want to work with for a decade, through the good and bad stretches? We pay attention to how they think, how they take feedback, and how straight they are with us. Then we look at the market, the product, and whether the business can scale. We also try to be an easy partner from day one … clear about how we work, upfront on expectations, and honest even when it’s uncomfortable. A good relationship at the start saves everyone a lot of pain later.

IVCA: What are you most looking forward to as a member of IVCA?

Riverwalk: Mostly, we want to be good neighbors in the Chicago ecosystem. We hope to meet other investors and operators, swap ideas, find co-investment partners, and learn what’s working in the market. We’d also like to contribute where we can, whether that’s sharing what we know in fintech and hospitality tech or helping founders find the right doors to knock on.

To learn more about Riverwalk Capital Partners, visit riverwalkcap.com.

The 2026 IVCA Awards Dinner will take place on Monday, December 7th, 2026, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. For more information, click here.