The Maine Venture Fund is a professionally-managed venture capital fund that invests exclusively in Maine companies who demonstrate a potential for high growth and public benefit. The Fund has been actively investing in Maine companies since 1997, after its creation by an act of the Maine Legislature in 1995 to provide Maine companies and entrepreneurs access to patient sources of venture capital. The fund has received $13 million in capital contributions from the State of Maine and operates as a revolving “evergreen” fund. The Maine Venture Fund specializes in small and medium Maine businesses and considers companies in nearly any industry that can demonstrate the potential for high growth and public benefit. The mission of the fund is to provide resources to attract, support, and help develop eligible small businesses with the potential for substantial growth and success that will contribute to the prosperity of Maine.

CEI Ventures, Inc. is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Brunswick, Maine, and serves as the investment arm of Coastal Enterprises, Inc. Established in 1994, the firm focuses on seed, early-stage, and mid-venture investments, as well as recapitalizations and growth capital. CEI Ventures aims to support emerging and transforming companies, particularly in underserved markets throughout the Northeastern United States, with a strong preference for investments in Maine. The firm typically invests between $250,000 and $1 million and often engages in multiple financing rounds. CEI Ventures seeks to exit its investments within five to seven years and generally aims to take a board seat in its portfolio companies. Its investment focus spans various sectors, including biotechnology, consumer products, media, healthcare, and information technology services.

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.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Overview & History Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. The SBA was officially established in 1953, but its philosophy and mission began to take shape years earlier in a number of predecessor agencies, largely as a response to the pressures of the Great Depression and World War II. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC), created by President Herbert Hoover in 1932 to alleviate the financial crisis of the Great Depression, was SBA's grandparent. The RFC was basically a federal lending program for all businesses hurt by the Depression, large and small. It was adopted as the personal project of Hoover's successor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was staffed by some of Roosevelt's most capable and dedicated workers. Concern for small business intensified during World War II, when large industries beefed up production to accommodate wartime defense contracts and smaller businesses were left unable to compete. To help small business participate in war production and give them financial viability, Congress created the Smaller War Plants Corporation (SWPC) in 1942. The SWPC provided direct loans to private entrepreneurs, encouraged large financial institutions to make credit available to small enterprises, and advocated small business interests to federal procurement agencies and big businesses. The SWPC was dissolved after the war, and its lending and contract powers were handed over to the RFC. At this time, the Office of Small Business (OSB) in the Department of Commerce also assumed some responsibilities that would later become characteristic duties of the SBA. Its services were primarily educational. Believing that a lack of information and expertise was the main cause of small business failure, the OSB produced brochures and conducted management counseling for individual entrepreneurs. Congress created another wartime organization to handle small business concerns during the Korean War, this time called the Small Defense Plants Administration (SDPA). Its functions were similar to those of the SWPC, except that ultimate lending authority was retained by the RFC. The SDPA certified small businesses to the RFC when it had determined the businesses to be competent to perform the work of government contracts. By 1952, a move was on to abolish the RFC. To continue the important functions of the earlier agencies, President Dwight Eisenhower proposed creation of a new small business agency -- the Small Business Administration (SBA). In the Small Business Act of July 30, 1953, Congress created the Small Business Administration, whose function was to "aid, counsel, assist and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of small business concerns." The charter also stipulated that the SBA would ensure small businesses a "fair proportion" of government contracts and sales of surplus property. By 1954, SBA already was making direct business loans and guaranteeing bank loans to small businesses, as well as making loans to victims of natural disasters, working to get government procurement contracts for small businesses and helping business owners with management and technical assistance and business training. The Investment Company Act of 1958 established the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program, under which SBA licensed, regulated and helped provide funds for privately owned and operated venture capital investment firms. They specialized in providing long-term debt and equity investments to high-risk small businesses. Its creation was the result of a Federal Reserve study that discovered, in the simplest terms, that small businesses could not get the credit they needed to keep pace with technological advancement. In 1964, SBA began to attack poverty through the Equal Opportunity Loan (EOL) Program. The EOL Program relaxed the credit and collateral requirements for applicants living below the poverty level in an effort to encourage new businesses that had been unable to attract financial backing, but were nevertheless sound commercial initiatives. SBA has grown in terms of total assistance provided and its array of programs tailored to encourage small enterprises in all areas. SBA's programs now include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans. The SBA also provides loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade.

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) is an economic development agency located in Augusta, Maine, founded in 1983. Its primary mission is to provide innovative financial solutions that support Maine citizens in their pursuit of business ventures and higher education. FAME offers a diverse range of business assistance programs tailored to meet the financing needs of the state's business community. These include traditional loan insurance programs aimed at both small and larger enterprises, as well as tax credits for investments in dynamic, growth-oriented, manufacturing, or export-related firms. Additionally, FAME has established both taxable and tax-exempt bond financing programs designed to assist creditworthy businesses in accessing necessary capital. Through these initiatives, FAME plays a vital role in fostering economic growth and development within Maine.

True Wealth Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2015 and headquartered in Austin, Texas. The firm specializes in investing in seed-stage and early-stage startups, with a particular emphasis on women-led companies. Its investment focus spans clean technology, healthcare technology, consumer health, and sustainable products, all aimed at enhancing environmental and human health. True Wealth Ventures actively seeks to support innovative enterprises that align with its commitment to fostering positive societal impact through sustainable business practices.

Anania & Associates Investment Company LLC is a private equity firm based in Portland, Maine, established in 2008. The firm specializes in investing in a diverse range of sectors, including natural resources, industrials, healthcare, education, manufacturing, software, and distribution. With a focus on the Maine region, Anania & Associates aims to support the growth and development of companies within these industries through strategic investments.

HarborOne Bank is a state-chartered co-operative bank located in New England, with assets totaling $2.7 billion. It caters to the financial needs of consumers, businesses, and municipalities in Southeastern Massachusetts through a network of 14 full-service branches and additional offices in Providence, Rhode Island, and Westford, Massachusetts. The bank also offers educational resources via "HarborOne U," which provides classes on small business management, financial literacy, and personal enrichment at campuses in Brockton and Mansfield. Additionally, its subsidiary, Merrimack Mortgage Company, operates as a full-service mortgage lender with 34 offices across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, and extends its services to seven other states. The HarborOne Foundation supports the advancement of children and families in the community.

Camden National Bank, headquartered in Camden, Maine, operates as a full-service community bank that provides a wide range of banking products and services to individuals, businesses, municipalities, and non-profit organizations. Founded in 1874, the bank offers various deposit accounts, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, along with time deposits and certificates of deposit. It specializes in originating residential and commercial loans, including single-family, multi-family, and commercial real estate loans, as well as business and municipal loans. Camden National Bank also provides personal loans and tailored financial solutions to small businesses across various sectors, including manufacturing and healthcare. Additionally, the bank offers investment management, wealth management, and insurance services, enhancing its role as a comprehensive financial partner. With a network of branches and ATMs across several counties, Camden National Bank is committed to serving its diverse customer base effectively.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) is a prominent gaming entertainment and horse racing company based in Louisville, Kentucky. Established in 1875, it is best known for its iconic racetrack, Churchill Downs, which hosts the renowned Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. CDI operates a diverse portfolio, including racetrack and casino operations in locations such as Miami Gardens, New Orleans, and Arlington Heights, as well as casino resorts in Mississippi and a casino in Maine. The company is also involved in online wagering through its premier platform, TwinSpires.com, and owns Big Fish Games, a leading producer of casual games. CDI's operations span several segments, including live and historical racing, online betting, and gaming, generating revenue from various activities such as slot machines and table games. The company continues to enhance its facilities with modern amenities, ensuring a dynamic experience for its patrons.

Blackstone Accelerates Growth (BxG) creates jobs and economic development through entrepreneurship and growth. They work with their partners to create statewide programs with coordinated, focused activities to accelerate companies, connections, and the next generation of Maine entrepreneurs. They operate as part of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, a $50 million Entrepreneurship Initiative to support innovative programs that drive job creation.

North Atlantic Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Portland, Maine, founded in 1986. The firm specializes in providing growth capital to innovative technology companies, focusing on sectors such as software as a service, information technology, telecommunications, medical devices, and business-to-business services. It primarily targets later-stage companies with revenues between $3 million and $50 million and typically invests between $1 million and $10 million, often taking a majority stake in its portfolio. North Atlantic Capital emphasizes a structured approach to investing, offering a combination of equity, convertible preferred stock, and subordinated debt, which allows for patient long-term capital and reduced shareholder dilution. The firm is particularly active in the East Coast region of the United States, targeting companies that demonstrate potential for expansion and innovation across various industries.

Macellum Capital Management is an activist investment firm. Macellum invests in undervalued companies that it believes can appreciate significantly in value as a result of a change in corporate strategy or improvements in operations, capital allocation or corporate governance.

Logically, Inc. is a prominent provider of outsourced information technology consulting and managed services in the United States, established in 1999 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, with additional offices across several states. The company specializes in offering a comprehensive range of services, including managed IT and security services, IT strategy and planning assessments, and IT implementation. Its expertise encompasses network and systems design, cloud migration, risk mitigation, governance and compliance, application and data management, and security controls. Logically serves a diverse clientele across various sectors, including healthcare, government, professional services, education, and manufacturing. By leveraging a team of cybersecurity, engineering, networking, and cloud specialists, Logically aims to help organizations secure their operations, reduce risks, and optimize performance, positioning itself as a trusted advisor for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of technology. The company was formerly known as Winxnet, Inc. before rebranding in April 2019.

Third Nature Ventures is an early-stage venture capital vehicle. We invest in the most promising innovations and technologies, seeking to address the most urgent and massive challenges we face within our most critical earth systems. Specifically, TNV seeks to identify and invest in the business model inflection point.

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with deep local connections, dedicated to promoting informed and engaged communities, which it views as vital for a healthy democracy. The foundation invests in journalism, the arts, and the development of cities where its founders, John S. and James L. Knight, once published newspapers. Through its Knight Enterprise Fund, it provides early-stage venture funding specifically aimed at media innovation. By supporting early-stage companies at the intersection of media and technology, Knight Foundation seeks to enhance access to quality information, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of communities.

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.

Brigade Capital Management, LP is a financial services firm headquartered in New York, with additional offices in London and Tokyo. The firm specializes in investment management, focusing on leveraged finance and investing across equity and fixed income markets. Brigade Capital prioritizes capital preservation and employs a diverse range of investment strategies that span the credit spectrum.

Eastern Bank, established in 1818 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent, mutually owned bank in New England and the largest community bank in Massachusetts. As a full-service commercial banking institution, it offers a wide range of financial products and services, including checking and savings accounts, online and mobile banking, loans, and insurance. Additionally, Eastern Bank provides advisory services to businesses of all sizes across various sectors, covering areas such as capital markets, equipment leasing, cash management, commercial real estate, international trade, and foreign exchange. Its diverse clientele includes individuals, investors, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations.

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.

The John T. Gorman Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. We advance and invest in innovative ideas and opportunities that improve the lives of Maine’s most vulnerable people. We have four priority areas: improving educational achievement for young children; promoting successful transitions to adulthood for vulnerable older youth; helping struggling parents support their families and enabling low-income seniors to age in place. Research shows that successfully achieving these key objectives predicts future success. If they are not achieved, the consequences can be dire for current and subsequent generations.

The Bernard Osher Foundation, headquartered in San Francisco, was started in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a respected businessman and community leader. The Foundation seeks to improve quality of life through support for higher education and the arts. The Foundation provides post-secondary scholarship funding to colleges and universities across the nation, with special attention to reentry students. It also supports a national lifelong learning network for seasoned adults. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, operating on the campuses of 124 institutions of higher education from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska, have a National Resource Center at Northwestern University. In addition, the Foundation benefits programs in integrative medicine in the United States and Sweden, including centers at the University of California, San Francisco; Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston; the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm; Northwestern University; Vanderbilt University; the University of Miami; and the University of Washington. Finally, an array of performing arts organizations, museums, and educational programs in Northern California and in Mr. Osher's native state of Maine receive Foundation grants. The Foundation has a nine-member Board of Directors, chaired by the Honorable Barbro Osher, Honorary Consul General of Sweden in California.

Aqua America, Inc. is a holding company that operates regulated utilities providing water and wastewater services across multiple states in the United States, including Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Maine, and Georgia. The company's primary subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, is a significant contributor to its operating revenues, accounting for approximately 56% as of 2011. Aqua America has expanded its service offerings through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of several water systems and a wastewater system in 2014. Notably, Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater acquired the wastewater assets of Penn Township in Chester County, while its Illinois subsidiary acquired the McHenry Shores Water Company in McHenry, Illinois. Through its various subsidiaries, Aqua America aims to deliver essential water and wastewater services to a diverse customer base across its operational regions.

Plastic Industries is a specialized manufacturer of blow-molded, high-density polyethylene bottles for the dairy, water, food, industrial and nutraceutical industries. Founded in 1999 and based in Nashua, New Hampshire, it offers a variety of large and small format containers as well as custom-design services. The Company operates six manufacturing locations throughout the country, including in Poland Spring, Maine; Reading, Pennsylvania; Newark, Delaware; Hebron, Kentucky; Fresno, California; and Corona, California.

M&T Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization. The M&T Charitable Foundation strives to strengthen communities by providing support for a diverse range of civic, cultural, health and human service organizations through grants, employee volunteerism and in-kind services.

TT Capital Partners, LLC is a private equity firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializing in growth equity investments within the healthcare sector. The firm focuses on innovative companies in healthcare technology and services that demonstrate significant growth potential, particularly those expanding their customer base or entering new markets. TT Capital Partners seeks to acquire majority stakes in these high-growth enterprises. Additionally, the firm operates as an independent merchant bank, offering services in mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring, and strategic advisory. Founded in 1997, TT Capital Partners is recognized for its expertise in the healthcare industry and is a Registered Investment Adviser.

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.

Momenta Partners is a leading venture capital firm headquartered in Meggen, Switzerland, that specializes in accelerating industrial innovators across various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, smart spaces, and supply chain. Founded in 2012, the firm has a strong track record of supporting early-stage to later-stage companies, focusing on transformative technologies that enhance critical industries and improve environmental sustainability and quality of life. With a team of experienced industry operators, Momenta Partners has established itself as a key player in the venture capital landscape, gaining recognition as one of the top-performing firms globally. The firm's commitment to driving innovation positions it favorably within the rapidly evolving industrial landscape, particularly in Europe and North America.

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.

Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC (TCP) is a prominent alternative investment management firm established in 1999, specializing in credit opportunities. The firm has invested approximately $9 billion in over 170 portfolio companies through various strategies, including direct lending, buyouts, special situations, and corporate divestitures. TCP also engages in venture debt, rescue loans, and acquisition financing, catering to a diverse range of sectors such as aerospace and defense, automotive, business services, energy, and financial services. With around $5 billion in capital under management, Tennenbaum Capital Partners focuses on delivering tailored investment solutions for global institutional investors.

Greenline Ventures is a Colorado-based financial services company that specializes in capital markets solutions.

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.

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.

York IE is an advisory and venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2019. The company specializes in supporting technology companies, particularly early-stage B2B SaaS startups, by providing tailored advisory services. With a global operating team of over 200 professionals, York IE utilizes data and automation technology, alongside its extensive network of industry relationships, to assist clients in various areas, including product development, go-to-market strategies, and financial planning. By offering these services, York IE aims to help founders, operators, and investors effectively build, scale, and monetize their businesses.

Standard Industries Inc. is a prominent manufacturer and supplier of roofing products for both commercial and residential applications. The company provides a wide range of residential roofing solutions, which include lifetime roofing shingles, roof deck protection components, leak barriers, ventilation products, and various other roofing materials. For commercial clients, Standard Industries offers extensive roofing systems, including flat roofing solutions, built-up roofing, and specialty products, along with accessories such as insulation, adhesives, and sealants. Additionally, the company produces other building materials like fiber-cement sidings and ductwork products. Serving property owners, architects, distributors, and roofing contractors, Standard Industries distributes its products through a network of dealers, retailers, and lumber yards. Founded in 1886 and headquartered in New York, the company operates throughout the United States and Canada and is a subsidiary of BMCA Holdings Corporation.

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.

Battery Ventures is a Boston-based investment firm founded in 1983 that specializes in technology-focused investments. The firm targets category-defining businesses across various sectors, including application software, IT infrastructure, consumer internet and mobile services, industrial technologies, and life science tools. By identifying and supporting innovative companies within these markets, Battery Ventures aims to foster growth and development in the technology landscape. As a Registered Investment Adviser, the firm combines expertise and strategic insight to guide its investment decisions.

Summit Partners, founded in 1984 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, is a private equity firm that specializes in growth equity investments across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and life sciences. The firm has invested in over 460 companies, helping them enhance their operations and financial performance through infrastructure development, executive recruitment, and strategic guidance. Summit Partners also assists clients in navigating public offerings and mergers. With a team of more than 90 investment professionals located in Boston, Palo Alto, and London, the firm has raised nearly $15 billion in capital and maintains a diverse investment portfolio, including significant holdings in rapidly growing companies with established business models. Summit's investment strategy allows it to deploy substantial capital, ensuring that it can support companies at various stages of growth.

Oak Hill Capital is a private equity firm founded in 1986 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, with additional offices in New York, Bangalore, and Menlo Park. The firm specializes in investing in middle-market companies across various sectors, including services, industrials, consumer, media and communications, healthcare, and technology. Oak Hill Capital focuses on buyouts and complex investment situations, typically seeking to invest between $10 million and $400 million, often taking a majority stake in the companies it supports. Its investment strategy encompasses a wide range of industries, including commercial and residential services, transportation and logistics, healthcare services, consumer brands, and technology infrastructure. The firm primarily targets North American markets, aiming to enhance the growth and operational efficiency of its portfolio companies through strategic investment and management.

Resolve Growth Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in growth capital investments, primarily focusing on enterprise software companies in North America. It aims to partner with software entrepreneurs, providing equity investments ranging from $5 million to $30 million, typically targeting businesses with $3 million to $10 million in recurring revenue and demonstrating significant revenue growth potential of 20% to over 100%. Resolve Growth Partners seeks both minority and control positions in its investments, aligning with committed entrepreneurs to help accelerate their growth potential.

Halle Capital Management is a private equity firm based in New York, established in 2019. The firm specializes in growth equity investments and focuses on middle-market companies within the healthcare, consumer, business services, industrial, and technology, media, and telecom (TMT) sectors. As a Registered Investment Adviser, Halle Capital Management is dedicated to identifying and supporting companies poised for expansion and innovation.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent federal agency that funds and promotes artistic excellence. The agency funds, promotes, and strengthens the creative capacity of its communities by providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation. It has awarded more than $5 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. The National Endowment for the Arts was founded in 1965 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia.

Yes VC is a venture capital firm established in 2018 and located in San Francisco, California. The firm focuses on investing in pre-seed and seed-stage companies across a diverse range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, aviation and space, carbon sequestration, climate solutions, consumer brands, decentralized finance, decentralized autonomous organizations, non-fungible tokens, delivery services, digital infrastructure, fertility and parenting, fintech and personal finance, food, healthcare, and construction innovation.

Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC is a private equity firm established in 1995 and headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, with additional offices in Dedham, Massachusetts; Greenwich, Connecticut; New York, New York; London, United Kingdom; and Singapore City, Singapore. The firm specializes in leveraged buyouts and focuses on corporate divestitures, public-to-private transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. Platinum Equity invests across a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, telecommunications, healthcare, and technology, among others. It typically targets companies with enterprise values between $100 million and $10 billion, often taking majority stakes but also considering minority investments. The firm aims to create value through strategic management and operational improvements, catering primarily to lower mid-market businesses.

Tiger Global Management is an investment firm based in New York, founded in 2001. It specializes in both public and private equity, focusing on companies that harness technological innovation. The firm employs a long-term investment strategy, targeting high-quality growth opportunities across a diverse range of industries. In its public equity operations, Tiger Global utilizes both long/short and growth strategies, while its private equity segment invests in companies at various stages, from early to late stage. As a Registered Investment Adviser, Tiger Global Management aims to partner with its portfolio companies throughout their lifecycle to maximize growth and value.

MassChallenge is a global nonprofit startup accelerator headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2009. It supports early-stage entrepreneurs from various industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance, by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. With locations in countries such as Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, and Texas, MassChallenge operates a non-equity model, allowing startups to retain full ownership while benefiting from expert guidance and connections. The accelerator conducts various programs tailored to specific sectors, such as MassChallenge HealthTech and MassChallenge FinTech, which facilitate partnerships between startups and established enterprises to drive innovation and market growth. Through its extensive global network, MassChallenge aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and empower high-potential startups to create meaningful impact.

Rand Capital Corporation is a business development company based in Buffalo, New York, that specializes in private equity investments. The firm focuses on providing equity and debt financing to lower middle market and small to medium-sized privately held companies, particularly those engaged in innovative products, technologies, or services. It primarily invests in sectors such as healthcare, consumer products, manufacturing, software, and professional services. Rand Capital targets companies with annual revenues up to $10 million and EBITDA up to $5 million, typically investing between $0.5 million and $1.5 million, with total investment rounds ranging from $1 million to $5 million. The firm seeks to be a lead investor and prefers to take minority stakes while aiming for a board seat in its portfolio companies. Rand Capital generally holds its investments for five to seven years and emphasizes opportunities in the Western and Upstate New York region, as well as areas within a three to five-hour drive from Buffalo, including parts of Canada. Established in 1969, Rand Capital combines venture capital with management expertise to foster business growth.

Propel is investing in founders creating “the new economy.” The financial services sector is the primary driver of many economies, and opportunities to enable, accelerate, deliver, and secure value exchange are immense and diverse. Propel invests primarily from Pre-Seed to Series A in the Americas with initial check sizes from $500k to $5M with follow-on capital much higher. Portfolio companies include Coinbase, Nomad, Neon, Guideline, Groww, SumUp, Newfront, and Safebooks. Propel is headquartered in the SF Bay Area and has an office in Jackson Square.

Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Montreal, Canada, with additional offices in Quebec. Established in 1983, the firm specializes in investing in small and medium-sized businesses across various sectors, including natural resources, aerospace, agri-food, life sciences, and culture. It primarily focuses on projects that require funding of $3 million or more and provides loans up to $2 million. The firm actively seeks investment opportunities in Quebec, particularly in regions such as Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Montérégie. Fonds de solidarité FTQ invests in a range of activities, including business succession, financial restructuring, and market development, while avoiding sectors like retail, real estate, and biotechnology. It typically engages in equity financing and unsecured debt with investment horizons ranging from five to ten years. The firm aims to support projects that positively impact the Quebec economy and often takes either minority or majority stakes in its portfolio companies.

Investissement Québec is a Canadian financial institution established in 1998, dedicated to supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large companies in the province of Québec. The organization offers a variety of financing solutions and consulting services to assist businesses in their expansion projects. By combining the strengths of financial institutions and economic development agencies, Investissement Québec aims to facilitate the establishment and growth of companies within the region. The institution plays a crucial role in providing financial assistance and guidance to corporations looking to invest in Québec, thereby contributing to the local economy.