Hickory Venture Capital

Hickory Venture Group operates as the investment arm of First Tennessee Bank National Association, focusing on a range of investment opportunities in small to medium-sized companies. Founded in 1985 and based in Huntsville, Alabama, the firm specializes in recapitalization, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, and mezzanine capital. It primarily invests in early-stage companies within the healthcare services, medical devices, information technology, and telecommunications sectors, while also considering other industries. For later-stage investments, Hickory Venture Group targets technology, non-technology, basic manufacturing, and service sectors. The firm typically invests between $1 million and $3 million initially, with a total investment of up to $7 million over the life of a project, focusing on companies with an EBITDA ranging from $1 million to $10 million. While it usually acquires minority stakes and does not seek operating control, the firm aims to exit investments within five years. Additionally, it co-invests between $5 million and $10 million in select opportunities.

J. Thomas Noojin

Chairman and President

11 past transactions

Kenzen

Seed Round in 2017
Kenzen, Inc. specializes in developing personal health wearables, notably the Kenzen ECHO, a wireless smart patch designed for health and performance monitoring. This innovative patch offers personalized health insights and notifications that aid in improving performance, recovery, and injury prevention. The ECHO system includes components such as disposable patch sensors, a USB charging cable, and a mobile application that provides real-time data on users' performance and health. Kenzen's technology serves various sectors, including industrial environments, where it helps monitor vital signs to prevent heat-related injuries and over-exertion. The company, founded in 2014 by Sonia Sousa and Steve Pecko, operates from San Francisco, California, and distributes its products through various channels, including resellers and retail locations.

VocalData

Series C in 2003
VocalData, Inc. is a prominent provider of integrated voice and enhanced network applications, specializing in next-generation IP telephony services for service providers. The company's flagship VOISS™ solution offers a comprehensive suite of virtual PBX and IP Centrex applications designed to deliver enhanced telephony services to enterprise customers while significantly reducing costs compared to traditional PBX systems. VocalData enables communications carriers to implement service delivery soft switches and platforms, facilitating the provision of telephony and communications services on next-generation networks. With a diverse customer and partner base, VocalData supports over 10,000 end users who benefit from its reliable and feature-rich communication solutions.

Response Networks

Venture Round in 2001
Response Networks provides business communications solutions aimed at enhancing responsiveness to clients, partners, and prospects. The company specializes in a range of products and services, including Virtual Phone Systems, Hosted VOIP, and Installed Communications Solutions. Targeting small and medium-sized businesses, Response Networks offers advanced voice networking capabilities. Additionally, the company provides maintenance and support services for various communication platforms, such as Avaya IP Office, Partner ACS, and Quick Edition. Through these services, Response Networks helps businesses improve their communication efficiency and effectiveness.

Sprockets.com

Series B in 2001
Sprockets.com, a secure, scalable, Internet-based service that enables client, creative, production and media professionals.

VocalData

Series B in 2000
VocalData, Inc. is a prominent provider of integrated voice and enhanced network applications, specializing in next-generation IP telephony services for service providers. The company's flagship VOISS™ solution offers a comprehensive suite of virtual PBX and IP Centrex applications designed to deliver enhanced telephony services to enterprise customers while significantly reducing costs compared to traditional PBX systems. VocalData enables communications carriers to implement service delivery soft switches and platforms, facilitating the provision of telephony and communications services on next-generation networks. With a diverse customer and partner base, VocalData supports over 10,000 end users who benefit from its reliable and feature-rich communication solutions.

VocalData

Venture Round in 2000
VocalData, Inc. is a prominent provider of integrated voice and enhanced network applications, specializing in next-generation IP telephony services for service providers. The company's flagship VOISS™ solution offers a comprehensive suite of virtual PBX and IP Centrex applications designed to deliver enhanced telephony services to enterprise customers while significantly reducing costs compared to traditional PBX systems. VocalData enables communications carriers to implement service delivery soft switches and platforms, facilitating the provision of telephony and communications services on next-generation networks. With a diverse customer and partner base, VocalData supports over 10,000 end users who benefit from its reliable and feature-rich communication solutions.

Cendex

Series A in 2000
Cendex is a leading developer/operator of NetMarkets -- vertical Internet communities serving targeted business-to- business industries.

Sprockets.com

Series A in 2000
Sprockets.com, a secure, scalable, Internet-based service that enables client, creative, production and media professionals.

Response Networks

Venture Round in 1999
Response Networks provides business communications solutions aimed at enhancing responsiveness to clients, partners, and prospects. The company specializes in a range of products and services, including Virtual Phone Systems, Hosted VOIP, and Installed Communications Solutions. Targeting small and medium-sized businesses, Response Networks offers advanced voice networking capabilities. Additionally, the company provides maintenance and support services for various communication platforms, such as Avaya IP Office, Partner ACS, and Quick Edition. Through these services, Response Networks helps businesses improve their communication efficiency and effectiveness.

Endius

Series B in 1997
Endius, founded in 1997, specializes in developing innovative products for invasive and endoscopic spine surgeries aimed at providing less traumatic and more effective solutions for patients suffering from back pain. The company's product portfolio includes the Atavi system, an atraumatic spine surgery system designed to assist surgeons in performing various lumbar spine fusion procedures, as well as the TiTLE and MDS microdebrider systems. Endius is focused on creating comprehensive spine surgery solutions to enhance surgical outcomes. The company was acquired by Zimmer Biomet Holdings, further expanding its reach in the medical device market.

Endius

Seed Round in 1992
Endius, founded in 1997, specializes in developing innovative products for invasive and endoscopic spine surgeries aimed at providing less traumatic and more effective solutions for patients suffering from back pain. The company's product portfolio includes the Atavi system, an atraumatic spine surgery system designed to assist surgeons in performing various lumbar spine fusion procedures, as well as the TiTLE and MDS microdebrider systems. Endius is focused on creating comprehensive spine surgery solutions to enhance surgical outcomes. The company was acquired by Zimmer Biomet Holdings, further expanding its reach in the medical device market.
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