The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a leading biomedical research facility in the United States, operating under the Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1887 and based in Bethesda, Maryland, NIH is the primary agency responsible for biomedical and health-related research in the country. It comprises 27 separate institutes and centers, each focusing on different disciplines within biomedical science. NIH conducts its own scientific research through the Intramural Research Program and provides significant funding for research at external institutions via the Extramural Research Program. With a workforce that includes 1,200 principal investigators and over 4,000 postdoctoral fellows, NIH has been instrumental in major medical breakthroughs, such as the development of vaccines for hepatitis and human papillomavirus, as well as the discovery of treatments for various health conditions. As the world's largest source of medical research funding, NIH continues to advance scientific knowledge and contribute to public health improvements.

The Stephens Group, LLC is a private, family-owned investment firm founded in 1933 and headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, with additional offices in Frankfurt, London, and New York. The firm specializes in private equity and venture capital, focusing on mid-venture investments, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, growth capital, and mature investments across a diverse range of sectors. Its investment portfolio spans agriculture, energy, industrials, software, consumer products, financial services, healthcare, and technology, among others. The Stephens Group typically invests between $10 million and $125 million in companies with enterprise values ranging from $50 million to $400 million and seeks both minority and control positions in its investments. The firm aims to partner with management teams, often pursuing a board seat in its portfolio companies to foster long-term growth and success.

Arvest Bank Group, headquartered in Lowell, Arkansas, operates over 250 branches across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas, serving more than 120 communities. The bank is recognized for its commitment to customer service and has received accolades for being among America’s Best Large Employers. Arvest Bank Group offers a comprehensive range of financial services, including loans, deposits, treasury management, credit cards, and mortgage services. Additionally, the company provides investment management through its subsidiary, Arvest Investments, which specializes in retirement planning, education planning, and trust services, catering to both individual and corporate clients. Arvest Trust Company, also part of the group, focuses on asset management, trust services, and estate planning. With its locally managed markets and dedicated teams, Arvest Bank Group emphasizes personalized banking experiences while adhering to the principles of responsible lending and financial stewardship.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

US Department of Energy is a government agency that regulates energy policy, research, and development. The Energy Department's mission is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

RZC Investments is a private equity firm founded in 2017 and based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Established by Steuart Walton and Tom Walton, members of the Walmart founding family, the firm specializes in investment management across various sectors, including consumer goods, outdoor and recreation, business-to-business services, healthcare, industrial, and financial technologies. Additionally, RZC Investments has a particular focus on vehicle and sports investments, reflecting its commitment to diverse and dynamic market opportunities.

When Sam and Helen Walton launched their modest retail business in 1962, one of their goals was to increase opportunity and improve the lives of others along the way. This guiding principle has played a major role in the phenomenal growth of their small enterprise into a global retail leader. This principle – to the benefit of deserving people and inspiring projects around the world – also drives the philanthropic mission of the Walton Family Foundation. Today the foundation is more focused than ever on sustaining the Walton’s timeless small-town values and their deep commitment to making life better for individuals and communities alike. By working with grantees and collaborating with other philanthropic organizations, the foundation is dedicated to making a positive difference in three focus areas:

PotlatchDeltic is a timber manufacturing company that specializes in producing high-quality lumber and plywood. The company operates primarily through three segments: timberlands, wood products, and real estate. Its timberlands segment is responsible for the planting and harvesting of trees, along with the construction and maintenance of access roads. The wood products segment focuses on the manufacturing and distribution of various wood products, including lumber and plywood. The real estate segment involves generating sales from company-owned timberlands and managing commercial and residential properties. The timberlands and wood products segments together account for the majority of PotlatchDeltic's revenue, reflecting the company's integral role in the forestry and wood manufacturing industries across multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota, and Mississippi.

NewRoad Capital Partners is a growth equity investment firm located in Rogers, Arkansas, established in 2012. The firm specializes in investing in high-growth companies within the Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Business Services sectors, with a particular focus on Supply Chain and Logistics, Consumer Goods, Outdoor Goods, Healthcare Technology, and Media and Retail Technology. NewRoad aims to support demand-driven businesses that address existing market needs through innovative technologies, products, and services. With a background in investing and operating large divisions of enterprise companies, NewRoad Capital Partners has a proven track record of building businesses from concept to realization.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a public utility holding company based in Houston, Texas, that operates primarily in the energy delivery sector. The company provides electric transmission and distribution services, serving over 2.5 million customers in regions including Houston and southern Indiana. Additionally, its natural gas distribution segment serves approximately 4 million customers, offering regulated intrastate natural gas services and transportation. CenterPoint Energy also engages in competitive natural gas sales and services, operating a network that includes 98,000 linear miles of distribution mains and 210 miles of intrastate pipeline in Louisiana and Texas. The company has a midstream investment segment, which focuses on natural gas and crude oil gathering, processing, and transportation services. Furthermore, it offers infrastructure services related to underground pipeline construction and repair. Founded in 1866, CenterPoint Energy continues to play a significant role in the energy sector across several states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Ingeborg Investments is a venture capital firm established in 2017 and based in Bentonville, Arkansas. The firm specializes in investing in women-led enterprises, targeting seed, early-stage, and series B startups. Ingeborg Investments seeks to support innovative ventures that enhance various aspects of life, including parenting, careers, financial security, and women's health. By focusing on these sectors, the firm aims to improve overall quality of life for women and their families.

Cadron Capital Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 2018, based in Conway, Arkansas, with an additional office in Fayetteville. The firm specializes in investing in technology startups and cash-flowing companies located in Arkansas. Cadron Capital Partners typically makes investments ranging from $250,000 to $2 million and also provides loans to businesses. By focusing on the local ecosystem, the firm aims to support the growth and development of innovative companies within the region.

Mmhmm Inc. is a developer of a virtual camera application designed to enhance video conferencing experiences. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, the company offers an innovative solution that integrates with existing video calling applications, allowing users to customize backgrounds and collaborate with remote partners seamlessly. Its platform provides an online broadcast editor, enabling users to control their presentations and engage more effectively during virtual meetings. By making video calls more creative and informative, Mmhmm aims to transform how individuals and teams communicate in a digital environment.

Craftsman Capital is a Dallas-based, operationally focused private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market companies with strong growth potential. The firm has set aside $40 million in dedicated long-term capital and is looking for control investments in operating companies in Texas or surrounding states with EBITDA of $1 million to $5 million. To facilitate buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth investments, they provide equity capital to privately held businesses.

Brinker International, Inc. operates casual dining restaurants, primarily under the brands Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy. Chili's is known for its bar and grill offerings, featuring a menu that includes signature items such as slow-smoked baby back ribs, craft burgers, fajitas, and tableside guacamole. Maggiano's specializes in Italian cuisine, offering a diverse menu that includes appetizers, chicken, seafood, veal, prime steaks, and desserts. As of June 2013, Brinker International's system included 1,591 restaurants across 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as locations in various countries including Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. The company generates the majority of its revenue from the Chili's segment, reflecting its strong presence in the casual dining market.

Tencarva Machinery is Providing the finest process equipment and services to Industrial and Municipal customers in the Southeast U.S., since 1978. Tencarva is the leading process equipment supplier in the Southeast United States, providing products and repair service to; Flag_of_the_United_States Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Tencarva's Repair Centers and Field Service can repair most rotating process equipment.

Landscape Workshop LLC is a full-service grounds maintenance company based in Birmingham, Alabama, with branch locations across the Southeast, including Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida. Established in 1984, the company specializes in providing landscaping services for a diverse range of clients, including healthcare facilities, educational institutions, municipalities, and commercial properties. Its offerings encompass landscape construction and installation, maintenance and design, irrigation services, and seasonal color programs. Additionally, Landscape Workshop provides services such as weed and insect control, arbor care, snow and ice removal, power sweeping, and pressure washing. Through its comprehensive services, the company aims to help clients enhance property value, maintain outdoor spaces, and attract new customers and tenants.

Circumference Group LLC is a private equity and venture capital firm founded in 2009 and based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The firm focuses on investments in middle-market and mature companies, including those in turnaround situations, late-stage ventures, and growth capital opportunities. Circumference Group specializes in various sectors, particularly technology-enabled services, marketing technology, fintech, telecommunications infrastructure, and payment services. In addition to making both public and private investments, the firm offers advisory services and operates CG Ventures, which provides venture funding. As a Registered Investment Adviser, Circumference Group is committed to delivering superior risk-adjusted performance for its capital partners.

A-Street is a private equity firm founded in 2021 and based in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company focuses on investing in innovative ventures that aim to transform the future of PreK-12 learning. A-Street primarily targets early, growth, and late-stage companies that develop digital-first instructional materials and new assessment methods for students. Additionally, A-Street offers modern wallpaper designs through its subsidiary, A-Street Prints. The firm is dedicated to seeding and scaling solutions that enhance student learning and achievement for families and schools.

Standard Lithium is focused on the exploration and development of lithium brine properties in the United States, particularly emphasizing the Arkansas Lithium Project in south-central Arkansas. The company aims to unlock the value of large-scale lithium-bearing brine resources that can be quickly brought into production. By adopting a disciplined strategy that minimizes project risks related to resources, politics, and permitting, Standard Lithium seeks to align with existing US-based brine producing partners to enhance its production capabilities. The company's approach leverages advancements in lithium extraction technologies and processes, positioning it to rapidly develop new production while addressing the challenges associated with resource management and regulatory compliance.

Acxiom LLC is a data and technology company that specializes in enhancing customer experiences through data-driven marketing solutions. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Conway, Arkansas, Acxiom offers a range of services including Audience Cloud, a data enablement platform, and Audience Propensities, which provide behavioral insights. The company focuses on connecting systems and data to enable effective marketing strategies, offering tools such as consumer insights packages, data quality services, and identity resolution solutions. Acxiom's offerings also include audience monetization, analytics, and managed services, which help businesses improve customer acquisition, retention, and overall value. With a commitment to consumer privacy, Acxiom serves a diverse client base across various industries, employing advanced analytics to facilitate targeted advertising campaigns and improve customer interactions on a global scale.

Revolution is a manufacturer based in Little Rock, Arkansas, specializing in closed-loop plastic bags and a range of other products for agricultural, consumer, and industrial markets. With over 25 years of experience, the company focuses on sustainable solutions by employing a unique circular approach to recycling and manufacturing. Revolution diverts more than 300 million pounds of plastic waste from landfills each year, processing this material into high-quality certified recycled resin. This resin is then utilized in the production of various sustainable products, including trash can liners, reusable carryout bags, and construction films. By incorporating post-consumer recycled materials, Revolution helps its clients reduce their carbon footprint while promoting environmental responsibility.

Regions Bank is a financial institution that offers a wide range of personal, small business, commercial banking, and wealth management services. Its personal banking services encompass checking and savings accounts, cash solutions, protection services, and various financial products such as money market accounts and IRAs. For small businesses, Regions provides checking accounts, cash management, merchant processing, and payroll services. In the commercial banking sector, it offers asset-based lending, equipment financing, and government financing solutions. The bank also specializes in wealth management, including private wealth management, estate planning, and trust services. Regions Bank operates branches across multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas, and was founded in 1928 in Birmingham, Alabama. Originally known as First Alabama Bank, it adopted the name Regions Bank in 1996 and operates as a subsidiary of Regions Financial Corporation.

Dos Rios Partners is a private equity firm based in Austin, Texas, with an additional office in Dallas. Established in 2013, the firm specializes in investing in small, privately held companies across the southern United States, specifically in Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Dos Rios focuses on proven, growing niche businesses with EBITDA between $3 million and $12 million, typically investing between $5 million and $15 million. The firm seeks opportunities in various sectors, including retail, manufacturing, distribution, and business-to-business services. Dos Rios is particularly interested in entrepreneur or family-owned firms, orphan subsidiaries of larger companies, and small public company shareholders. The firm engages in both control and non-control transactions, structuring its investments through common, preferred, and mezzanine securities, as well as subordinated debt with warrants. Notably, Dos Rios does not invest in seed, startup, early-stage companies, or firms vulnerable to technological obsolescence.

Postmates Inc. operates an on-demand food and grocery delivery platform that connects customers with local couriers to deliver products from various restaurants and stores across the United States. Founded in 2011 and based in San Francisco, the platform features a wide selection of over 600,000 restaurants and retailers, many of which are exclusive to Postmates. The service covers approximately 80% of U.S. households, reaching all 50 states, with a strong presence in Los Angeles and other southwestern markets. Customers can enjoy free delivery from all merchants by subscribing to Postmates Unlimited, the industry’s first subscription service. In addition to food delivery, Postmates also offers gift card services, enhancing the user experience and encouraging local shopping without delays.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. serves as the bank holding company for Equity Bank, a commercial bank based in Wichita, Kansas. Founded in 2002, the bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services primarily targeting businesses, business owners, and individuals. It accepts various deposits, including demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. The bank's loan offerings encompass commercial loans, real estate-backed financing, working capital loans, and various consumer loans, catering to a diverse clientele that includes national and regional companies, restaurant franchisees, hoteliers, and agribusinesses. Additionally, Equity Bank provides a suite of online and mobile banking solutions, debit card services, and treasury management options. As of December 31, 2019, the bank operated 52 full-service branches across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, making it a significant player in the regional banking landscape.

Southwestern Energy Production Company engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas. The company was formerly known as Arkansas Western Production Company. Southwestern Energy Production Company is based in Houston, Texas. Southwestern Energy Production Company operates as a subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Co.

Simmons Bank is a commercial bank established in 1903 and headquartered in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It offers a variety of financing solutions, including agricultural loans, construction loans, small business administration loans, and warehouse lending. The bank serves a diverse range of sectors, such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare services, consumer durables, software, agriculture, cybersecurity, health tech, and industrials. Simmons Bank is committed to integrity, excellence, collaboration, and growth in its interactions with customers, reflecting its long-standing dedication to the banking industry.

Stephens is a privately held investment banking firm founded in 1933 and headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. The company provides a diverse range of financial services, including investment banking, insurance, capital management, institutional equities, research, private equity, fixed income, sales and trading, public finance, and wealth management. It serves a variety of sectors, such as aerospace, consumer goods, energy, industrials, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, power and industrial technology, technology, telecommunications, and media. With a focus on building long-term relationships, Stephens aims to deliver sustained results for its clients.

Over 115-year banking history, they’ve held true to the belief that their customer relationships are their strongest asset. Everyone at Bank OZK takes pride in knowing you, their customer. We understand that’s the best way to find the right financial solutions that meet your needs. Expanding from our headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas, to more than 100 locations throughout the Southeast, that personal commitment has only grown stronger. It’s the way we do banking. This all-too-rare approach of putting your needs first is why we’re consistently ranked among the top-performing banks in America. But more importantly, it’s what keeps their customers happy. You have a friend here.

BOK Financial Corporation is a regional financial services company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded in 1910. The company provides a wide array of financial products and services to consumers and businesses through its various subsidiaries, including BOKF, BOSC, Cavanal Hill Investment Management, and The Milestone Group. BOKF operates the TransFund electronic funds network and has seven banking divisions: Bank of Albuquerque, Bank of Arizona, Bank of Arkansas, Bank of Kansas City, Bank of Oklahoma, Bank of Texas, and Colorado State Bank and Trust. The firm specializes in areas such as cash management, mortgage banking, and brokerage and trading services, catering primarily to middle-market and small businesses, as well as financial institutions and individual clients.

Union Pacific Corporation, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest public railroad in North America, operating the Union Pacific Railroad. It manages a vast network of over 31,800 route miles across 23 states, primarily in the western two-thirds of the United States. The company provides essential transportation services for a diverse range of goods, including agricultural products, coal, industrial chemicals, and automotive goods. In 2023, Union Pacific generated $24 billion in revenue by hauling freight, which also includes intermodal containers and construction materials. The company has expanded through acquisitions of several railroads and holds a 26% stake in the Mexican railroad Ferromex, which contributes approximately 10% of its revenue by facilitating cross-border freight movements.

CardioWise, Inc. is a company focused on developing and commercializing heart analysis software that enhances the evaluation of cardiac health. Founded in 2010 and based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, CardioWise offers a non-invasive cardiac CT analysis software known as SQuEEZ, which generates a quantified 4D image model of the human heart. This software allows for a quantitative diagnostic assessment of the heart by utilizing high-resolution cardiac CT scan data acquired in a single heartbeat. By leveraging cloud-based technology, CardioWise provides cardiologists and patients with easy-to-interpret 3D color maps of heart function accessible from any mobile device through a secure portal. The company's goal is to simplify the diagnosis of heart disease, improve standards of cardiac care, and reduce healthcare costs globally, while also increasing the accuracy of diagnoses and enabling timely interventions.

ArcBest Corporation® is a multibillion dollar logistics company with five subsidiaries that solve complex transportation and logistics challenges: ABF Freight®, ABF Logistics®, Panther Premium Logistics®, FleetNet America® and ArcBest Technologies. From Fortune 100 companies to small businesses, their customers trust and rely on ArcBest brands for all their transportation and logistics needs. They are working hard to meet the market demand for more easily accessible solutions through a single point of contact. They build relationships that last for decades and their customers assign a high degree of value for the high level of service and professionalism they provide. When customers talk about us, they say that they solve problems, they are easy to do business with and they are good partners who understand them. In fact, when they solve one problem for them, they increasingly ask us to help solve another. This relentless focus on meeting their customers’ needs has resulted in the development of many of the emerging businesses they now operate. Their over 13,000 employees deliver knowledge, expertise and a can-do attitude with every shipment and supply chain solution, residential move and vehicle repair. Headquartered in Fort Smith, Ark., ArcBest℠ has come a long way from when its flagship brand, less-than-truckload carrier ABF Freight, opened its doors more than 90 years ago. ArcBest companies have significantly expanded their total product and service offerings through an array of emerging businesses that all focus on skillful solutions, emerging technology and their employees’ will to get things done. ArcBest finds a way.

Bengal Capital is a venture capital firm that has invested in the cannabis industry since 2013. Bengal Capital provides traditional advisory resources as well as seed stage and growth capital to our operators across various verticals of the cannabis industry. Each of our investments is rooted in long-term alignment with our operating partners. Bengal Capital has offices in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. For prospective investors and partners seeking investment, please visit our Contact Us page, complete, and submit the form for more information.

Walmart is a leading retail corporation that operates a variety of supermarket and discount store chains, alongside e-commerce platforms. The company is known for its commitment to providing low-priced goods, which drives significant customer traffic and product turnover. Walmart's strategy emphasizes operational efficiency and convenience, exemplified by the introduction of its supercenters in 1988, which serve as one-stop shopping destinations. As of recent data, Walmart operates over 4,600 stores in the United States and more than 10,000 stores worldwide. In fiscal 2024, Walmart generated over $440 billion in domestic sales, with additional contributions from its Sam's Club stores. Beyond retail, Walmart engages in philanthropic efforts through the Walmart Foundation, supporting various programs that aim to improve community well-being and create opportunities for individuals to enhance their quality of life.

Robin Hood Ventures is a group of angel investors, focused on early-stage, high-growth companies in the Greater Philadelphia region. We help entrepreneurs build great companies, providing capital, mentoring, expertise and connections to help companies reach their potential. Robin Hood generally invests $250k to $500k, and collaborates with angels, institutions and VCs in our network. We invest as a single entity in businesses we know and understand, in a way that gets deals done. Since 1999, we have invested in over 45 companies in industries including software, medical devices, biotech, internet and financial technology.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is a bank that specializes in credit products and services in Dallas.

Lee Equity Partners is a middle-market private equity firm based in New York, founded in 2006. The firm focuses on partnering with entrepreneurs, founders, and management teams primarily in the financial and healthcare services sectors. Lee Equity Partners aims to build companies with high growth potential by investing in business services, financial services, and healthcare services. As a Registered Investment Adviser, the firm emphasizes collaboration with top-tier management teams to drive success in their investments.

DigitalDx Ventures is a Silicon Valley Venture firm uniquely positioned to find, support, mentor and grow the outliers in digital healthcare. DDX invests in early stage companies who effectively and efficiently harness the power of artificial intelligence and big data to profoundly impact outcomes in both diagnostics and therapeutics.

Kompass Kapital Management LLC is a private equity firm based in Overland Park, Kansas, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in providing expansion and growth capital, focusing on investments in operating companies, partnerships, funds, financial instruments, and real assets. Kompass Kapital Management typically makes equity investments ranging from $3 million to $15 million, often preferring to acquire minority stakes in the companies in which it invests. The firm is dedicated to enhancing value and supporting the growth of its portfolio companies through strategic capital injection.

LabCorp is a leading provider of laboratory testing services, focusing on delivering accurate and clinically relevant tests to support healthcare providers. The company develops innovative testing solutions that enhance diagnostic precision and offer additional clinical insights. Its diverse clientele includes physicians, their patients, hospitals, managed care organizations, private employers, military and law enforcement agencies, as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. By catering to a wide range of healthcare stakeholders, LabCorp plays a crucial role in the medical diagnostics landscape, helping to improve patient care and outcomes through advanced testing technologies.

leading global alternative asset manager

Equativ is an ad tech company that specializes in providing a digital marketplace for advertisers. The company develops direct and programmatic advertising software aimed at optimizing the value of advertisement impressions. Its platform efficiently manages inventory and ad delivery across multiple formats and devices, utilizing advanced forecasting, targeting, and big data analytics. This approach enables publishers to enhance their revenue from premium and programmatic advertisements without the need for third-party vendors. Equativ focuses on delivering brand and privacy-safe solutions, combining client expertise with engineering to ensure a high level of professionalism and technical sophistication in its services.

Revel Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 2011 and headquartered in New York City. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, focusing primarily on companies in the business-to-business (B2B) sector, particularly in software as a service (SaaS) and marketplaces. With a team comprised of experienced serial entrepreneurs and investors, Revel Partners seeks to identify and support innovative companies in the information technology space throughout the United States and Western Europe.

Advantage Capital is a private equity firm founded in 1992 and headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, with additional offices across the United States. The firm specializes in growth equity, lending, and mezzanine debt capital investments, focusing on small businesses at various stages of development, excluding seed-stage companies. It aims to drive economic development in underserved communities, both urban and rural, by investing in sectors such as communication, information technology, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Advantage Capital seeks to make initial investments ranging from $0.5 million to $10 million in companies with sales under $5 million and also provides various forms of debt capital, including senior and subordinated loans. The firm has invested over $3.8 billion in more than 800 portfolio companies and projects, supporting over 66,000 jobs nationwide. Its geographic focus includes states like Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, and Texas, among others, with a commitment to enhancing local economies through targeted financial solutions.

Northwood Ventures is a private equity investment firm based in Hobe Sound, Florida, founded in 1983. With three decades of experience, the firm specializes in investing in companies across various sectors, including consumer goods and services, communications, manufacturing, and financial services. Northwood Ventures focuses on partnering with experienced management teams to foster growth and generate long-term cash returns. The firm adopts a flexible investment approach, tailoring its strategies to meet the specific needs of each portfolio company. By investing at all stages of company development, including during industry consolidations, Northwood Ventures has played a significant role in the creation and expansion of numerous leading firms across the United States.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is an independent non-profit private foundation based in New York City, established in 1969 through the merger of the Avalon Foundation and the Old Dominion Foundation. Its mission is to support and enhance the humanities and the arts, recognizing their vital role in fostering human flourishing and contributing to the well-being of diverse and democratic societies. The foundation provides grants in key areas such as higher education, art history, conservation, museums, performing arts, scholarly communications, and information technology. Its executive management team oversees the administration and management of its assets to fulfill its commitment to these core areas.

Founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California, Sequoia Capital is a leading venture capital firm that specializes in investing in early to growth stage companies across various sectors, including energy, financial services, healthcare, internet, mobile, and technology. The firm aims to collaborate with a select number of ambitious founders to help them build transformative companies. Sequoia Capital typically invests between $100,000 and $1 million in startups at the seed stage, $1 million to $10 million in early-stage companies, and $10 million to $100 million in growth-stage firms. With a strong preference for being the first investor in profitable and rapidly growing companies, Sequoia seeks to partner with teams that have demonstrated successful products or services. The firm's investment strategy encompasses a global perspective, with significant allocations in markets such as China, India, and Israel.

Mubadala Investment Company, established in 2002 by the Government of Abu Dhabi, serves as a principal agent in the diversification of Abu Dhabi's economy. With a focus on generating sustainable financial returns, Mubadala manages a global portfolio of approximately $229 billion, encompassing a wide range of sectors, including aerospace, information and communication technology, semiconductors, renewable energy, healthcare, and real estate. The company is based in Abu Dhabi, with additional offices in key global cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York, and San Francisco. Mubadala is dedicated to addressing pressing regional needs, particularly in healthcare, while also emphasizing strong governance and responsible investment practices. As a trusted partner and engaged shareholder, Mubadala plays a significant role in fostering economic growth and innovation both locally and internationally.