Enhanced Capital Partners, founded in 1999 and headquartered in New York, is a national investment firm that specializes in equity and debt investments in small and mid-sized companies across the United States. With over $400 million under management, the firm employs a flexible investment strategy aimed at promoting the growth and expansion of businesses. Enhanced Capital focuses on various sectors, including healthcare technology and technology, media, and telecommunications. As a subsidiary of P10 Holdings, it seeks to maximize the growth potential of companies poised for rapid development through its practical investment approach.

Advantage Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 1992, headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, with additional offices across the United States. The firm specializes in growth equity, lending, and mezzanine debt investments, focusing primarily on small businesses at various stages of development, excluding seed stage. Advantage Capital targets investments in low-income communities, both urban and rural, and supports economic development initiatives. The firm seeks to invest in companies that utilize proprietary technologies in sectors such as communication, information technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and energy, among others. It offers various forms of debt capital, including senior and mezzanine debt, and has a preference for co-investing with other firms. Initial investments typically range from $0.5 million to $10 million in companies with sales under $5 million, with potential for larger investments based on milestones. Advantage Capital is committed to addressing the funding gaps in underserved areas and fostering economic growth in communities that lack traditional sources of risk capital.

Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

J.P. Morgan is a prominent player in the financial services industry, providing a wide range of solutions to clients in over 100 countries. With a rich history spanning more than 200 years, the firm prioritizes its clients' interests in all its operations. J.P. Morgan Asset Management stands out as a leading asset manager, catering to individuals, advisors, and institutions globally. The firm offers diverse investment strategies across various asset classes, bolstered by its substantial assets under management. Additionally, J.P. Morgan Ventures Energy Corporation specializes in commodity risk management solutions. The firm also manages several funds, including those focused on buyouts in the healthcare sector and opportunistic investments in infrastructure across multiple regions, including North America and Europe.

Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Established in 1995 through the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, it specializes in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems and products. The company operates through four main segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space Systems. These segments provide a range of offerings, including combat aircraft, missile defense systems, military and commercial helicopters, and space transportation systems. Lockheed Martin also engages in cybersecurity and delivers command and control capabilities for defense applications. Additionally, the company has a venture capital arm, Lockheed Martin Ventures, which focuses on investing in early-stage companies across various high-tech industries, such as autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and space technologies, with the aim of fostering disruptive innovations that address complex challenges in its core markets.

Crosslink Capital, established in 1989, is a leading early-stage venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, with over $1.3 billion in assets under management. The firm specializes in investing in disruptive technology and media companies, primarily at the Seed to Series A stages. Crosslink focuses on dynamic sectors, including enterprise and consumer technology, and has a history of backing influential companies such as Bleacher Report, Chime, and Postmates. The firm not only manages venture capital funds but also engages in growth equity investing, targeting investments across various stages of company development, from seed funding to pre-IPO. With a strategic investment approach, Crosslink typically allocates between $8 to $20 million per company, emphasizing opportunities in software, digital media, and communication services.

Razor's Edge Fund III is managed by Razor's Edge Management, LLC, a venture capital firm based in Reston, Virginia, specializing in investments in high-growth technology companies. The firm focuses on companies that operate at the intersection of the national security sector and commercial markets, particularly in areas such as defense, intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and emerging technologies. Razor's Edge Fund III typically makes equity investments ranging from $2 million to $4 million, aiming for either controlling or minority stakes in portfolio companies. The firm prefers to lead its investments but is open to participating in syndicated deals led by other investors. With a track record spanning over two decades, Razor's Edge has established strong relationships within the national security community and offers strategic support to its portfolio companies.

Carousel Capital is a private investment firm based in North Carolina, founded in 1996, that specializes in mid-market investments in the Southeastern United States. The firm focuses on three primary sectors: business services, consumer products and services, and healthcare services. Carousel Capital partners with management teams to build companies that aspire to achieve national and global presence. The firm is supported by a diverse investor base, which includes institutional investors and over one hundred current and former corporate Chief Executive Officers. These executives contribute by identifying investment opportunities and offering strategic guidance. Carousel Capital typically targets investments in businesses generating at least three million in EBITDA, with an investment horizon of three to five years.

McKinney Capital LLC is a private equity firm specializing in growth capital investments. The firm prefers to invest in field services especially services at the customer’s location (residential or commercial). Within services it invests in appliance and TV servicing (commercial and residential); landscaping companies; janitorial/facilities maintenance; pest control; home computer repair; non-hazardous solid/liquid waste pickup (trash, grease traps, septic tanks, portable toilets); pool maintenance and servicing; utility surveying, inspection, vegetation control; pipeline, transmission line inspection; gaming equipment/vending equipment servicing; on site scanning/paper shredding services; on site equipment calibration services and certification (gas pumps, scales, etc); ATM servicing, repair, install; and traffic light repair and service. It seeks to invest in companies across the Southern United States. It seeks to invest in companies with revenues between $5 million and $30 million and in case of landscaping companies seeks companies with a minimum of $2 million in revenue. The firm prefers to take a majority ownership in its portfolio companies. McKinney Capital LLC is based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Bonaventure Capital, LLC is a venture capital firm established in 1998 and based in Birmingham, Alabama. The firm specializes in investing in mid-stage to emerging growth businesses across various sectors, including internet services, financial services, energy services, and manufacturing. Primarily focused on the Southeastern United States, Bonaventure Capital typically makes investments ranging from $0.5 million to $1.5 million. It engages in minority investments in companies with revenues between $3 million and $20 million and EBITDA of up to $3 million, as well as control investments in firms with revenues between $5 million and $50 million and EBITDA between $1 million and $5 million. The firm partners with management teams to develop strategies aimed at achieving growth and aligned objectives.

Eastside Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Huntsville, Alabama, with an additional office in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 2005, the firm specializes in growth-equity investments, focusing primarily on the healthcare and information technology sectors, particularly companies with a strong foothold in financial services. Eastside Partners typically invests between $1 million and $5 million in companies with revenues ranging from $2 million to $20 million, though it can allocate larger amounts through partners or co-investors. The firm seeks to lead the majority of its investments while often holding minority stakes. Eastside Partners predominantly targets opportunities in the Southeastern United States but is open to investments beyond this region, emphasizing relationships with skilled entrepreneurs to foster significant value creation in their portfolio companies.

Harbert Power, LLC operates as a buyout fund managed by Harbert Management Corporation, focusing primarily on investments in the infrastructure, industrials, and oil and gas sectors across the United States and Canada. The fund targets opportunities in exploration, production, refining, and real estate services, with preferred investment sizes ranging from $20 million to $60 million and transaction values between $100 million and $200 million. With a strategic emphasis on renewable energy, Harbert Power Fund V aims to support companies over a horizon of six to seven years, providing capital to fuel growth and operational enhancements. The firm is based in Birmingham, Alabama, and is part of a broader portfolio managed by Harbert Management, which specializes in various alternative asset classes.

Overline VC is a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in and supports exceptional founders. The firm's goal is to foster and grow a vibrant, inclusive community that becomes a launchpad for the next generation of local entrepreneurs. It leads seed rounds, sets terms, and aims to speak for the entirety of a financing round. Founded in 2020, Overline VC is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Stonehenge Capital is a private equity and specialty finance firm founded in 1999 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with an additional office in New Orleans. The firm focuses on mezzanine investments and provides long-term capital to privately held businesses and community service non-profits, primarily through its New Markets Tax Credit Program allocations. Stonehenge Capital aims to invest in designated Community Development Entities across the United States, prioritizing businesses located in distressed census tracts that positively impact local minority communities. In addition to equity investments, the firm offers business loans and financial services to various sectors, including technology, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing. Stonehenge Capital manages multiple investment funds and has extensive experience in structured finance, positioning itself as a significant player in community development and growth capital markets.

Vulcan Materials Company is the largest producer of construction aggregates in the United States, primarily offering crushed stone, sand, and gravel. The company operates through four main segments: Aggregates, Asphalt, Concrete, and Calcium. The Aggregates segment supplies essential materials for the construction and maintenance of highways, streets, and various public works, as well as residential and commercial buildings. The Asphalt segment provides asphalt mix in several states including Alabama, Arizona, and Texas, while the Concrete segment delivers ready-mixed concrete in markets such as California and Maryland. Additionally, the Calcium segment focuses on mining and selling calcium products for industries such as animal feed and water treatment. Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Vulcan Materials serves markets across 18 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, and the Bahamas, employing over 7,200 individuals.

Southeastern Technology Fund is a venture capital firm established in 1998 and based in Huntsville, Alabama, with an additional office in Atlanta, Georgia. The firm specializes in early and growth stage investments, primarily focusing on technology companies in sectors such as financial services technology, healthcare information technology, enterprise software, and information security. Southeastern Technology Fund targets investments in the Southeastern United States, typically ranging from $1 million to $3 million. The firm prefers to take a leading role in its investments, often securing a board seat to actively support portfolio companies. With over $100 million under management across two venture funds, Southeastern Technology Fund is recognized as one of the largest early-stage venture capital firms in the Southeast, dedicated to partnering with entrepreneurs to develop market-leading technology enterprises.

Acacia Partners, LLC is a Texas-based private equity firm founded in 2011, specializing in investments in lower middle-market family-owned and owner-operated companies across the United States. The firm primarily focuses on growth equity, minority and majority recapitalizations, and leveraged buyouts. Acacia seeks to invest between $10 million and $75 million in companies with annual sales exceeding $25 million, EBITDA over $5 million, and an enterprise value ranging from $50 million to $500 million. With a flexible investment structure and indefinite time horizon, Acacia does not adhere to a fixed investment mandate, allowing for a conservative approach to leverage and the potential for long-term holdings. The firm invests in various sectors, including consumer products and services, distribution, business services, healthcare, industrial products and services, and information technology. Acacia Partners sources its capital primarily from family offices, representing over $2 billion in total. The firm has offices in Austin, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, and Birmingham, Alabama.

Regions Bank is a financial institution headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, providing a wide range of personal, small business, commercial banking, and wealth management services. Its personal banking offerings include checking and savings accounts, debit cards, cash solutions, and various protection services. For small businesses, Regions Bank offers checking and savings accounts, cash management, credit services, and payroll solutions. In the commercial sector, the bank provides asset-based lending, equipment financing, and government financing. In addition, its wealth management services encompass private wealth management, estate planning, and specialized trusts. Regions Bank operates branches across several states, including Alabama, Florida, and Texas. Originally founded in 1928 as First Alabama Bank, it rebranded as Regions Bank in 1996 and became a subsidiary of Regions Financial Corporation, which was established in 1971.

Noro-Moseley Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm founded in 1983 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, with an additional office in Alpharetta. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, primarily in the technology and healthcare sectors, with a strong focus on companies located in the Southeastern United States. Noro-Moseley Partners has invested in over 160 start-ups and early-growth-stage companies, particularly in areas such as internet security, cloud services, healthcare infrastructure, and business process outsourcing. The firm typically invests between $6 million and $10 million in companies with revenues ranging from $2 million to $20 million and aims to take a board seat in its portfolio companies. Noro-Moseley Partners emphasizes sectors like technology, healthcare, and financial services, actively participating in opportunities that align with its expertise while avoiding pure drug development ventures.

Hancock Timber Resource Group, Inc. is a real estate investment firm specializing in timberland investment management, developing and managing timberland portfolios. The fund seeks to invest in the Latin America, Western Europe, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Brazil. It also offers investment vehicles, including individually managed accounts and pooled funds; and forest management services. The firm serves public and corporate pension plans, high net-worth individuals, insurance companies, taxable corporations, and endowments and family offices. Hancock Timber Resource Group was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Charlotte, North Carolina; Harpersville, Alabama; Silsbee, Texas; Smethport, Pennsylvania; Orting, Klickitat, Cathlamet, and Vancouver, Washington; Sydney, Australia; Curitba, Brazil; and McCloud, California; Nanaimo, Canada; and Rotorua and Tauranga, New Zealand. Hancock Timber Resource Group, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc.

Tullis Growth Fund II, managed by Tullis Health Investors, is a venture capital fund established in 2019 and based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The fund specializes in providing growth capital to small and emerging companies primarily within the healthcare sector. It focuses on areas such as healthcare technology systems, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare distribution. Tullis Growth Fund II typically invests between $0.25 million and $10 million in companies that have established operations or are in advanced stages of product development. The firm aims to support businesses across various stages, from startups to late-stage ventures, with a strong emphasis on the U.S. market, particularly in regions such as the Midwest, Michigan, Connecticut, Alabama, Albuquerque, and New Mexico. Founded in 1986, Tullis Health Investors has cultivated a reputation for its targeted investments in healthcare and biotechnology industries.

Banyan Mezzanine Fund, L.P. is a private equity firm established in 2002, focused on providing mezzanine capital to smaller middle-market companies, primarily in the Southeastern United States, with a concentration on Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The firm specializes in mezzanine, buyout, and recapitalization investments, typically targeting companies with annual sales between $5 million and $100 million and EBITDA ranging from $1.5 million to $10 million. Banyan invests between $0.5 million and $8 million in equity and $3 million to $8 million in subordinated debt, often structured with attached warrants for common equity. The firm does not engage in investments related to startups, turnarounds, real estate development, oil and gas operations, or direct lending. Banyan seeks to partner with companies that have seasoned management teams in growing industries, using its capital to support growth, acquisitions, and management buyouts while providing additional strategic management advisory services.

Camp One Ventures, LLC is a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments in startups, primarily within the technology sector. The firm targets areas such as social media, mobility, fintech, payments, cloud computing, and software-as-a-service. Established in 2012, Camp One Ventures has a presence in both Birmingham, Alabama, and San Francisco, California, and it primarily invests in companies located in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco area.

Greer Capital Advisors, founded in 2002 and located in Mountain Brook, Alabama, is a venture capital firm that focuses on providing capital for private equity projects aimed at fostering economic growth within communities. The firm primarily invests in companies across various sectors, including healthcare, information technology, life sciences, and marketing. Greer Capital Advisors emphasizes a strategic approach to investment, adhering to key principles that guide its involvement in diverse business activities and roles within the private equity landscape.

Highland Capital Management Corp. is a privately owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to individuals, high net worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations, state, and municipal government entities. It manages separate client focused equity and fixed income portfolios. The firm invests in public equity and fixed income markets in United States. It invests in stocks of large cap companies. The firm also invests in exchange traded funds. It employs fundamental analysis with bottom up approach to make its investments. Highland Capital Management Corp. was founded in 1987 and is based at Memphis, Tennessee with additional offices in Lake Mary, Florida; Mobile, Alabama; and Walnut Creek, California. As of December 31, 2012, Highland Capital Management Corp. operates as a subsidiary of Argent Financial Group, Inc.

Fidelis Capital is a private equity firm that provides growth financing and strategic support to emerging companies. It seeks to make majority and minority control investments in companies from the SouthWest region of the United States.

Private Capital Focused On High Growth Companies In the Southeast

Waveland Ventures, established in 2007 and based in Austin, Texas, is a venture capital firm that manages approximately $1 billion in assets. The firm focuses on investing in companies within the business products and services and information technology sectors. With a commitment to achieving both investor returns and fostering economic development, Waveland Ventures aims to support innovative enterprises that contribute positively to their industries and the broader economy.

Founded in 2001, New Capital Partners is a Birmingham-headquartered private equity firm with an office in Dallas. The firm targets investments in healthcare, financial services and business services in the United States.

SunTx Fulcrum Fund is a private equity buyout fund managed by SunTx Capital Partners, a Dallas-based firm established in 2001. The fund focuses on investments in middle-market companies across various sectors, including commercial products and services, industrial services, and 3D printing. SunTx Capital Partners aims to partner with business owners, providing capital and expertise to help these companies reach their full potential. With a reputation for navigating complex scenarios, the firm seeks to create value in businesses located throughout the United States, including regions such as the Southeast, Midwest, and West Coast.

Ironwood Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Avon, Connecticut, specializing in providing growth capital solutions to middle-market businesses across North America. Established in 1985, the firm focuses on non-control investments in the form of subordinated debt and preferred stock, typically ranging from $2 million to $25 million, to support initiatives such as leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and generational transitions. Ironwood Capital targets companies with annual revenues between $20 million and $200 million, and it is particularly interested in businesses located in low- and moderate-income areas, as well as those that are women and minority-owned. The firm is sector agnostic but has a preference for investments in consumer products, healthcare, information technology, and environmental services. It seeks to partner with management teams, often taking a minority stake and acting as a sounding board for strategic decisions, while aiming to exit investments within three to five years. The firm also maintains offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Birmingham, Alabama.

Weller Equity Partners is a private equity firm based in Louisville, KY, that invests in lower middle-market companies throughout the Mid-South region of the U.S. Weller focuses on companies that have talented and committed management teams and significant growth opportunities. Weller's mission is to address the capital and liquidity objectives of smaller private companies by providing flexible funding structures and private equity expertise to its owners.

SAGE Business Advisors, LLC is a venture capital, and private equity firm specializing in seed and early stage financing. The firm provides accounting, financial, and other management services to portfolio companies. The firm prefer invest in Mid-South region, and United States. The firm was formerly known as Addison Capital Advisors. SAGE Business Advisors, LLC is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

SPP Management Services, LLC is a private equity firm specializing in buyouts, growth capital, industry consolidations, and recapitalization transactions. It prefers to invest in lower middle market, later stage, and mature companies. It does not invest in startups, early stage companies, and turnaround transactions. The firm also does not invest in real estate, retail, and technology sectors. It typically invests in growth equity, management buyouts, recapitalizations, industry consolidations, family succession, corporate divestitures including acquisition in partnership with an executive or management team of non-strategic divisions or subsidiaries of larger corporations, and mature transactions. The firm also invests in balance sheet recapitalizations of overleveraged and financially distressed companies. It primarily invests in consumer products, business services, distribution, and light manufacturing industries with a focus on commercial security, business and outsourced services, environmental services, laboratory products, transportation and logistics, test and measurement, natural gas pipelines, industrial coatings, specialty chemicals, marine cargo services, long-distance specialized freight trucking, welding repair, steam, gas, and hydraulic turbines, remediation services, commercial surveillance and alarm monitoring and maintenance, waste water treatment, natural gas transmission, oil and gas storage and transportation, trading companies and distributors, electric power transmission and control, materials, chemicals, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, industrials, capital goods, building products, construction and engineering, electrical equipment, commercial and professional services, consumer discretionary, automobiles and components, food products, food safety, beverages, electronic equipment and instruments, electrical components and equipment, and education services. The firm invests in companies based in the Eastern half of the United States and Canada, focusing on South, Southeast, Midatlantic, Northeast, Great Lakes, Southwest, Midwest, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Delaware, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, and New Jersey. It typically invests between $5 million and $40 million in companies with revenues between $10 million and $100 million having enterprise value between $15 million and $100 million and EBITDA between $4 million and $15 million. The firm typically seeks to acquire majority interest and can consider minority investments. It seeks board representation in the portfolio companies. SPP Management Services, LLC was founded in 2006 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a prominent wholesale energy provider in the United States, catering to the electricity demands of municipalities, electric cooperatives, and investor-owned utilities. The company operates and is constructing 35 facilities across nine states, boasting over 10,500 megawatts of generating capacity. Southern Power's reach includes states such as Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas. As part of the larger Southern Company, which serves 4.4 million customers and has a generating capacity exceeding 42,000 megawatts, Southern Power benefits from a strong reputation for reliability and customer service. The parent company has consistently ranked highly in customer satisfaction, reflecting its commitment to providing quality electricity at competitive prices in the Southeast.

Route 2 Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in Greenville, South Carolina, with an additional office in Charleston. Founded in 2016, the firm focuses on equity and debt investments in lower middle market companies, primarily located in the southern United States. Route 2 Capital Partners specializes in acquisitions, buyouts, growth capital, and recapitalization, targeting sectors such as business services, healthcare services, niche manufacturing, and specialty distribution. The firm typically invests between $3 million and $5 million in companies that have an EBITDA ranging from $2 million to $10 million and annual revenues of at least $10 million.

The Southern Appalachian Fund is a venture capital firm based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with an additional office in London, Kentucky. The firm specializes in providing growth capital and early-stage financing to small businesses in southern Appalachia, focusing on Tennessee, Kentucky, and selected Appalachian counties in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. With a total fund size of $12.5 million, it typically invests between $200,000 and $600,000 in companies with strong management teams and high growth potential, often in two or more investment rounds. The firm seeks equity investments, primarily acquiring preferred stock, and generally aims for exits within four to seven years through methods such as external sales, mergers, or management buyouts. The Southern Appalachian Fund is also involved in operational assistance and active board participation to enhance the value of its portfolio companies. As one of six New Markets Venture Capital Companies in the U.S., it aims to promote economic development and job creation in low-income areas, leveraging partnerships with institutional investors and access to U.S. Small Business Administration-backed debt. Currently, the fund is fully invested and is not seeking new investment opportunities.

Third Security is a private equity firm based in Radford, Virginia, established in 1999. The firm specializes in late-stage investments primarily within the life sciences and technology sectors, focusing on biotechnology companies in the United States. As a Registered Investment Adviser, Third Security is dedicated to identifying and supporting innovative businesses that have the potential for significant growth and impact in their respective fields.

Targeted Technology Funds is a venture capital firm specializing in startups and early stage investments. The firm prefers to invest in medical devices, life science tools, biotechnology, healthcare, diagnostics, specialty pharmaceuticals, personalized medicine arenas, biomedical and technology companies. It prefers to invest in companies based in South Eastern and South Western United States including-Texas, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia, Alamo City, and San Antonio. Targeted Technology Funds was founded in 2009 and is based in San Antonio, Texas.

Meritus Ventures, L.P. is a venture capital firm focused on investing in private, expansion-stage companies primarily located in rural areas of Central and Southern Appalachia, including states such as Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and parts of Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Established in 2006 and headquartered in London, Kentucky, with an office in Knoxville, Tennessee, the firm specializes in equity investments, particularly in manufacturing, technology, and software sectors, while maintaining a broad industry focus. Meritus Ventures typically invests between $250,000 and $2.5 million in each company, often in multiple funding rounds, and prefers equity investments in preferred stocks. The firm seeks to hold investments for three to five years, with exit strategies including sales, mergers, management buyouts, or initial public offerings. In addition to financial backing, Meritus Ventures offers operational assistance and active board participation, often funded through grants from the USDA or SBA.

MadDog Ventures is a private equity firm based in Alabama that specializes in venture capital investments in companies focused on developing and marketing cloud-based business applications. The firm targets enterprises that aim to disrupt traditional industry models and effectively monetize underutilized information. In addition to providing capital, MadDog Ventures offers extensive operating expertise, which includes direct support in application development, sales, finance, marketing, and administration. This comprehensive approach aims to help businesses maximize their growth potential and achieve success in the competitive landscape of cloud technologies.

Circumference Group LLC is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Little Rock, Arkansas, established in 2009. The firm specializes in investing in middle-market and mature companies, including those in turnaround situations and growth capital. Its investment focus encompasses telecommunications, telecom technology, and information technology sectors. Circumference Group engages with public companies that generate significant free cash flow but face market growth pressures, offering both personal capital investments and advisory services. Additionally, the firm manages hedge funds, bringing operational expertise and a collaborative approach to its partnerships with management teams in the business-to-business services and technology domains.

Murphree Investments III is a venture capital fund managed by Murphree Venture Partners, based in Houston, Texas. The fund focuses on investing in medium-sized companies across various sectors, including software, commercial services, e-commerce, technology, media, telecommunications, and 3D printing. As of May 2018, the firm has been in the process of winding down its operations.

EBSCO Capital LLC, established in 2014 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, is the private equity and venture capital division of EBSCO Industries, Inc. The firm focuses on long-term, control investments in both new platform and add-on opportunities across various sectors. For new platforms, EBSCO Capital targets investments in business services, manufacturing, distribution, consumer products, and computer components, primarily in companies based in the United States and Canada with EBITDA between $5 million and $25 million. In contrast, add-on investments can be made globally in sectors such as information services, healthcare technology, outdoor products, and risk management, with no minimum EBITDA requirement. The firm prefers to invest in companies with low capital expenditure and high free cash flow, aiming for a diverse customer base to mitigate risk. EBSCO Capital emphasizes quality middle-market companies and seeks to establish a 100% stake in its add-on investments, reflecting its commitment to substantial ownership and influence in its portfolio companies.

BBVA is a global financial services group focused on transforming banking through digital innovation and customer-centric solutions. It operates various subsidiaries, including BBVA Continental in Peru and BBVA USA, which provide a wide range of commercial banking services such as consumer loans, mortgages, insurance, and wealth management. BBVA USA also offers small business administration loans, merchant processing, and investment products like securities brokerage and mutual funds. The bank's lending portfolio encompasses small business lines of credit and commercial real estate loans. In addition to traditional banking services, BBVA Ventures invests in technology companies that are disrupting the financial services sector, fostering innovation in the industry. The firm's wholesale banking and asset management division further enhances its service offerings, solidifying BBVA's commitment to delivering comprehensive financial solutions globally.

Featheringill Capital, LLC is a private equity firm that focuses on middle-market investments, specifically targeting later-stage companies for acquisitions, buyouts, corporate carve-outs, and recapitalizations. Founded in 2017 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, the firm seeks to partner with management teams in sectors such as tech-enabled services, healthcare technology, and telecommunications. Featheringill Capital typically invests between $10 million and $75 million in businesses with revenues ranging from $10 million to $100 million, enterprise values between $10 million and $150 million, and EBITDA between $1 million and $15 million, aiming for companies with more than 15% EBITDA margins. The firm primarily operates in North America and prefers to take majority stakes in its investments, which it holds for three to five years. Featheringill Capital does not engage in early-stage or venture capital investments, nor does it invest in consumer, retail, real estate, energy exploration, metals and mining, or heavy manufacturing sectors.

Morgenthau Venture Partners is sponsoring its inaugural venture capital fund, the Accelerator Fund. The Accelerator Fund will make equity investments in a diversified portfolio of growing technology driven privately held companies with $2 million to $30 million in revenues. The Fund will focus its investment activities towards those emerging technology industries including, software, IT infrastructure and consumer and business services. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Accelerator Fund will pursue investments primarily in the Southeastern United States (Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas) with particular emphasis on the most underserved market, Florida. The Fund derives a significant competitive advantage from being one of the few indigenous venture capital funds located in Florida. The benefit of proximity is an absolute necessity to ensure ongoing and rigorous monitoring of the Fund's portfolio.

Fenwick Brands is a private equity firm based in Birmingham, Alabama, founded in 1988. It specializes in middle market investments, focusing on emerging consumer brands across various sectors, including food and beverage, personal care, household products, pet products, health and wellness, and lawn and garden. The firm typically targets companies located in the Southeastern United States, investing in businesses with annual revenues ranging from $3 million to $25 million and EBITDA up to $10 million. Fenwick Brands aims to support companies that have strong potential but require capital, strategic guidance, or operational expertise to achieve growth. The firm is open to making co-investments and can act as either a minority or majority partner in its portfolio companies.

Synovus Financial Corp. is a financial services company headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, with approximately $29 billion in assets. It operates through Synovus Bank, which offers a wide range of banking products and services, including commercial and retail banking, investment, and mortgage solutions. The bank provides corporate banking services such as business banking, financing, international services, and treasury management, as well as personal banking services that include checking and savings accounts, loans, and online banking. In addition to traditional banking services, Synovus offers wealth management, trust services, and various financial planning options. With a network of 253 branches and 335 ATMs across Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee, Synovus is dedicated to serving its local communities. Founded in 1888, the company has received recognition for its reputation and commitment to customer service.

AloStar is a commercial finance platform based in Atlanta, Georgia, operating as a division of State Bank & Trust. The institution specializes in providing asset-based and lender specialty finance loans to middle-market companies across the United States. AloStar aims to support the growth and development of other financial institutions by offering tailored financial solutions that meet the needs of its clients.