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.

The Stephens Group, LLC is a private equity and venture capital firm that focuses on mid-venture investments, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth capital. Established in 1933 and headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, with additional offices in Frankfurt, London, and New York, the firm invests across a wide array of sectors, including agriculture, energy, technology, healthcare, consumer products, and financial services. The Stephens Group emphasizes companies with strong management teams and seeks to invest in businesses headquartered primarily in the United States and Canada, particularly in the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest regions of the U.S. For buyouts, investments typically range from $25 million to $125 million, while growth equity investments range from $10 million to $30 million. The firm targets companies with significant earnings, taking either majority or significant minority stakes and often obtaining board representation in its portfolio companies.

Atlantic Street Capital Management, LLC is a private equity firm founded in 2006 and based in Stamford, Connecticut, with an additional office in Florida. The firm focuses on investing in lower middle-market and mid-market companies primarily in the healthcare, consumer goods, life sciences, industrial, retail, and business services sectors across the United States and Canada. Atlantic Street Capital specializes in various investment strategies, including buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate carve-outs, restructurings, and bankruptcies, aiming to enhance the value of the companies in which it invests. As a Registered Investment Adviser, the firm is dedicated to fostering growth and operational improvements in its portfolio companies.

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.

Gravity Ventures is a venture capital investment firm established in 2008 and based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The firm focuses on seed-stage angel funding, primarily targeting early-stage technology and tech-enabled startups across various industries. With a specialization in technology and software, Gravity Ventures seeks to support innovative businesses by providing the necessary capital for growth and development.

Tyson Foods is a prominent food processor and marketer based in Springdale, Arkansas, specializing in chicken, beef, pork, and prepared foods. Founded in 1935, it has grown to become one of the largest companies in its sector, providing products and services to customers in the United States and over 90 countries. Tyson Foods also supplies protein to numerous national restaurant chains across various dining categories. In addition to its core operations, Tyson Ventures, the company's venture capital arm, focuses on investing in innovative companies within the food and agriculture sectors. This includes efforts to commercialize alternative proteins, address food insecurity and waste, and enhance resource application and safety in the food supply chain. Tyson Ventures seeks to support startups and mature companies that align with these goals, promoting advancements in food production, packaging, and distribution.

Prime Capital Investment Advisors, LLC is a privately owned family office. The firm primarily provides its services to individuals. It also caters to high net worth individuals, Pooled investment vehicles, Pension and profit sharing plans and Corporations or other businesses. It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, Charting and cyclical analysis with top-down and bottom-up approach to create its portfolios. Prime Capital Investment Advisors, LLC was founded in 1985 and is based in Overland Park, Kansas with locations in Batesville, Indiana; Boerne, Texas; Clayton, North Carolina; Columbus, Indiana; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Franklin, Tennessee; Hiawatha, Iowa; Houston, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Marlton, New Jersey; Omaha, Nebraska; Richmond, Virginia; Scottsdale, Arizona; Springfield, Missouri; Tampa, Florida; Wayzata, Minnesota and Wichita, Kansas. Prime Capital Investment Advisors, LLC operates as a subsidiary of CHHSZ Holdings, LLC.

NewRoad Fund III is a private equity growth and expansion fund managed by NewRoad Capital Partners, established in 2020 and based in Rogers, Arkansas. The fund focuses on investing in demand-driven businesses across various sectors, including logistics, automation and workflow software, business and productivity software, commercial services, retail, supply chain, consumer durables and non-durables, and healthcare technology. With a target investment range of $5 million to $25 million, NewRoad Fund III aims to support innovative technologies, products, and services that address existing market needs, particularly in the retail, business services, and healthcare technology industries.

KCRise Fund co-invests with institutional venture capital investors in early stage companies based in the Greater Kansas City area

The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) is a government agency based in Little Rock, Arkansas, established in 1985. It serves as an economic development agency that provides financing for affordable housing and various business projects. ADFA's enabling legislation allows it to borrow money and issue bonds, facilitating funding for capital improvements and economic development initiatives. The agency manages its funding activities through two primary categories: Development Finance and Affordable Housing Development. By administering tax-exempt bonds and other debt instruments, ADFA aims to support the financing needs of both housing and economic development sectors in the state.

Windstream Corporation is a prominent network communications and technology solutions provider based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Established from the spinoff of Alltel Corporation's landline business and a merger with VALOR Communications Group, Windstream serves both residential and business customers. The company offers a range of services, including cloud computing, managed services, broadband, phone, and digital TV, with a focus on rural areas. Additionally, Windstream provides advanced communications services such as software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) and unified communications as a service (UCaaS), enhancing digital transformation for enterprises. With over $6 billion in annual revenues, Windstream aims to deliver reliable connectivity and value through bundled services, ensuring that customers have access to essential communication and entertainment options.

VIC Technology Venture Development, LLC is a venture capital firm established in 2000 and located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with additional offices across North America. The firm specializes in seed, startup, and early-stage investments, focusing primarily on technology solutions and healthcare-related innovations. It identifies and commercializes technologies sourced from leading universities worldwide, employing a rigorous vetting process to select high-potential opportunities with significant societal impacts. VIC Technology Venture Development typically invests between $0.25 million and $0.5 million in its portfolio companies, which span various sectors, including medical devices, therapeutics, diagnostics, clean water, animal health, food safety, and automotive safety. The firm actively participates in the management of its investments, often taking board positions to ensure effective governance and strategic development.

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.

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.

Dos Rios Partners is a private equity firm based in Austin, Texas, with an additional office in Dallas. Founded in 2012, the firm specializes in investing in small, privately held companies within the six-state region of Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Dos Rios focuses on businesses with EBITDA ranging from $2 million to $12 million, emphasizing control and non-control transactions. The firm invests in junior securities, including common, preferred, and mezzanine equity, and seeks to partner with motivated management teams. It does not engage in seed, startup, or turnaround investments, nor does it invest in companies vulnerable to technological obsolescence or in sectors like real estate and project finance. With typical investments ranging from $5 million to $15 million, Dos Rios Partners targets entrepreneur or family-owned businesses, orphan subsidiaries of larger corporations, and small public companies. The firm's strategy includes both majority recapitalizations and add-on acquisitions, aiming to provide tailored financing solutions to underserved small businesses.

Stephens Capital Management (SCM) is the asset management division of Stephens Inc., a privately held financial services firm established in 1933 and headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, with an additional office in Houston, Texas. SCM specializes in managing separate client-focused equity, fixed income, and balanced portfolios for a diverse clientele, including high net worth individuals, institutions, corporations, and government entities. The firm invests globally in public equity and fixed income markets, focusing on value and growth stocks across various market capitalizations. In fixed income, SCM targets AAA government and agency bonds, short-term and intermediate-term bonds, as well as international bonds, employing macro-economic analysis for investment decisions. The firm emphasizes disciplined investing and conducts in-house research to inform its strategies, benchmarking its fixed income portfolios against the Lehman Government Intermediate Index. Additionally, SCM offers retirement planning, educational services, and consulting for governmental and corporate pension management.

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.

TGF Management Corp. is a private equity firm based in Austin, Texas, that focuses on investments in small to middle-market companies. Established in 1992, the firm specializes in strategies such as buy and build, internal expansion, and acquisitions. TGF Management targets mature companies, including family-owned businesses looking to transition and larger firms seeking to divest parts of their operations. The firm typically invests in sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, construction-related industries, industrial services, outsourced business services, and food and consumer products. TGF Management primarily operates in the United States, with a concentration on Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It generally invests in companies with revenues between $25 million and $250 million and EBITDA ranging from $5 million to $25 million. The firm employs various investment structures, including subordinated debt, preferred stock, and common stock, to acquire either majority or minority stakes in its portfolio companies.

Arkansas Teacher Retirement System provides retirement solutions for educational professionals in the state of Arkansas. The system conducts workshops that provide information on retirement laws, insurance, social security, cost of living, taxes, and death benefit issues. As a limited partner, Arkansas Teacher Retirement System is a public pension fund with $3.9 billion in assets under management. The institution engages in the following alternative investment strategies: venture capital. It was founded in July 1937 and is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Diamond State Ventures is a small business investment company founded in 1999 and based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The firm specializes in recapitalization and debt investment opportunities, primarily targeting mid-market companies located in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States. It focuses on various sectors, including manufacturing, business services, consumer products and services, and healthcare. By investing in small and lower middle-market firms, Diamond State Ventures aims to support growth and expansion within these industries.

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.

Acxiom LLC, founded in 1969 and based in Conway, Arkansas, is a technology and services company specializing in data, analytics, and software solutions. The company enables people-based marketing by integrating systems and data to enhance customer experiences and improve return on investment. Acxiom offers a range of products and services, including its Audience Cloud data enablement platform, behavioral insights through Audience Propensities, and consumer insights packages. Additionally, it provides data quality services, global data solutions, and the Personicx consumer lifestage segmentation system. Acxiom serves a diverse clientele, including top firms in finance, retail, telecom, and pharmaceuticals, utilizing its extensive marketing databases and analytics capabilities to optimize customer acquisition, retention, and risk management. With a commitment to delivering data-driven results, Acxiom supports over 7,000 clients worldwide and processes vast amounts of data to enhance decision-making and strategy.

Southlake Equity Group is a private equity investment firm based in Southlake, Texas, established in 2007. The firm specializes in acquiring middle market companies through management buyouts, corporate divestitures, recapitalizations, industry consolidation, and corporate rollup transactions. It focuses on the manufacturing, distribution, services, consumer products, and industrial products sectors, and typically invests in companies with enterprise values ranging from $20 million to $200 million and annual revenues between $25 million and $200 million. Southlake Equity Group seeks to make control investments, offering both majority and minority stakes, primarily in firms located in or with significant operations in the South Central Region of the United States. The firm is committed to long-term value creation and partners with management teams to develop and implement growth strategies.

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.

Phoenix Strategy Investments is a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, founded in 2002. The firm specializes in acquiring and operating small to medium-sized privately-held businesses, with a focus on sectors such as engineering, value-added distribution, consumer services, business services, health and wellness, financial services, marketing services, and franchising. Unlike many investors, the principals of Phoenix take active roles in the day-to-day management of the companies they acquire, allowing for a hands-on approach that fosters long-term growth. This strategy is particularly appealing to business owners looking to exit management responsibilities while still achieving their financial and personal goals through tailored transaction structures. By investing in fewer companies and maintaining a long-term perspective, Phoenix aims to build sustainable businesses and provide attractive liquidity options for owners.

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.

Rock Financial Partners, LLC is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The firm specializes in making investments across various sectors, including oil and gas, healthcare, and information technology. Rock Financial Partners targets investments ranging from $2 million to $20 million in its portfolio companies, focusing on seed, early-stage, later-stage, and growth opportunities.

Forest Hill Capital, LLC is an employee owned hedge fund sponsor. The firm primarily provides its services to pooled investment vehicles. It also caters to high net worth individuals and charitable organizations. It manages separate client-focused equity portfolios. The firm invests in the public equity markets across the globe. It employs long/short strategy to make its investments. The firm primarily invests in value stocks of companies. It employs fundamental analysis to create its portfolios. The firm obtains external research to make its investments. It invests in diversified sectors. Forest Hill Capital, LLC was founded in 2000 and is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Teakwood Capital, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a private equity firm that focuses on direct investments in emerging growth companies. The firm primarily targets profitable businesses with revenues under $25 million and engages in private equity, venture capital, and mezzanine investments. It seeks to support mid-market technology companies and other sectors, including outsourced business services, health care, financial services, and alternative energy. Teakwood Capital typically invests between $0.05 million and $4 million, actively participating in growth capital, buyout, and recapitalization transactions. The firm aims to create value by providing equity capital, strategic advice, and marketing expertise to undercapitalized companies across several states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Teakwood's portfolio includes a range of companies, with a history of investments in diverse sectors, validating its investment thesis and commitment to fostering growth and profitability.

NOWDiagnostics, Inc. is a manufacturer of blood-based rapid diagnostic tests, offering products that provide results within minutes from just a single drop of blood. Established in 2014 and based in Springdale, Arkansas, the company focuses on empowering patients and caregivers by facilitating informed healthcare decisions. Its ADEXUSDx product line includes a variety of tests for common conditions, illnesses, and diseases, allowing for immediate results without the need for off-site laboratory processing. NOWDiagnostics currently offers an hCG (pregnancy) test in both the United States and Europe, along with cardiac and toxicology tests available in Europe. The company has formed strategic alliances to enhance its product offerings and improve accessibility to timely diagnostic information.

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.

Elm Creek Partners is a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, that focuses on identifying and investing in niche opportunities within various sectors, including business products, services, and industrial manufacturing. Established in 2007, the firm seeks enterprises that possess innovative products or approaches complemented by significant market potential. Elm Creek Partners aims to enhance the growth of its portfolio companies through strategic guidance and tailored resource allocation, ensuring that they can capitalize on their unique market positions.

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.

PennantPark Investment Corporation is a business development company based in New York City, specializing in direct and mezzanine investments in middle market companies in the United States. Established in 2007, the firm targets investments ranging from $10 million to $50 million, focusing on sectors such as healthcare, real estate, consumer products, and energy, among others. PennantPark employs a variety of investment strategies, including mezzanine debt, senior secured loans, and equity investments, utilizing instruments such as preferred stock, common stock, warrants, and subordinated loans. The firm emphasizes capital preservation and strong cash flows while fostering relationships with private equity sponsors that have a proven track record of supporting their portfolio companies.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is a nonprofit organization established by Congress to conduct research that informs patients and healthcare providers about the best available evidence for making healthcare decisions. Its primary aim is to enhance patients' understanding of prevention, treatment, and care options, as well as the scientific evidence that underpins these choices. By focusing on patient-centered research, PCORI seeks to empower individuals to engage more effectively in their healthcare processes, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of care.

Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund is an outgrowth of Revolution’s Rise of the Rest platform, a national initiative launched in 2014 to spotlight emerging startup hubs. Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund invests in seed- and early-stage companies located outside of New York City, Silicon Valley, and Boston. By partnering with regional ecosystem leaders and co-investors, Rise of the Rest is helping to build and scale the next wave of transformational companies. The Rise of the Rest Seed Funds are backed by a group of iconic entrepreneurs and business leaders committed to the vision that the next great startups will be located outside of the coastal tech hubs.

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.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established on June 30, 1969, through the merger of the Old Dominion Foundation and the Avalon Foundation. Its primary mission is to enhance, promote, and defend the roles of the humanities and the arts in fostering human flourishing and contributing to the well-being of diverse and democratic societies. The Foundation manages a diverse investment portfolio, allocating its assets across various categories, including private equity, public equities, real assets, diversified strategies, and fixed income and cash. Through its initiatives and funding, the foundation aims to support cultural institutions, education, and scholarly research, thereby reinforcing the importance of the arts and humanities in contemporary society.

Conagra Brands is a leading packaged food company based in the United States, generating over 90% of its revenue domestically. The company specializes in frozen foods, with well-known brands such as Marie Callender's, Healthy Choice, Banquet, and Birds Eye. Additionally, Conagra offers a diverse range of products including snacks and shelf-stable staples, featuring brands like Duncan Hines, Hunt's, Slim Jim, Vlasic, Orville Redenbacher's, Reddi-wip, and Chef Boyardee. The majority of its sales are concentrated in the retail sector, with only a small portion coming from international markets and foodservice. Beyond its business operations, the Conagra Brands Foundation is committed to philanthropy, providing support to effective nonprofits that serve diverse communities across the country.

Lee Equity Partners is a New York-based private equity firm founded in 2006, focusing on mid-market investments across various sectors, including healthcare, financial services, business services, and consumer goods within the United States. The firm aims to collaborate with experienced management teams to develop companies with significant growth potential. Lee Equity Partners has established a strong track record, exemplified by its first fund, which was launched in 2008 with $1.1 billion in capital commitments. As of December 31, 2015, this fund had invested $1.2 billion, demonstrating its commitment to driving value in its portfolio companies.

Florida Funders, LLC is a venture capital firm based in Tampa, Florida, specializing in early-stage investments, particularly in technology, health science, and engineering sectors. Established in 2013, the firm focuses on companies within Florida that have annual revenues between $0.25 million and $2 million, typically targeting investments of $0.5 million to $1 million. Florida Funders operates as both a venture capital firm and an angel investor syndicate, boasting a network of over 1,500 members. The firm emphasizes collaboration by co-leading investments and participating in follow-on funding. In addition to financial support, Florida Funders offers venture-building services to help portfolio companies succeed. Through its efforts, the firm aims to generate strong returns for investors while fostering the growth of promising entrepreneurs in the state.

Cortado Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2020 and located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The firm focuses on investing in capital-efficient businesses that utilize technology to scale, particularly in the sectors of fintech, biotech, aerospace, ag tech, energy tech, and insurtech. Cortado Ventures targets business-to-business technology companies primarily within Oklahoma, aiming to support innovative solutions in these industries. As a Registered Investment Adviser, the firm is committed to fostering growth in companies that demonstrate strong potential for scalability through technological advancements.

M Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Los Angeles, California, established in 2017. The firm focuses on direct investments in technology companies, particularly those aligned with emerging cultural trends and behaviors in a diverse global marketplace. M Ventures aims to identify innovative ideas, technologies, and products that have the potential to become widely influential. Its investment strategy emphasizes early venture opportunities, seeking to support companies that can leverage shifts in consumer dynamics and technological advancements. Through its strategic approach, M Ventures actively contributes to the growth and success of its portfolio companies.

Valar Fund V is an early-stage venture capital fund managed by Valar Ventures, a firm founded in 2010 and based in New York City. The fund focuses on investing in technology companies, particularly in the fintech sector, with a global outlook. Valar Ventures, backed by Peter Thiel, aims to partner with entrepreneurs around the world, recognizing the potential for transformative technology startups to emerge outside of traditional hubs like Silicon Valley. The firm seeks to provide support and insight to founders, addressing their unique challenges and opportunities as they navigate the early stages of their businesses.

Seaport Capital, LLC is a private equity and venture capital firm founded in 1997 and based in New York. It specializes in late-stage growth investments, recapitalizations, and acquisitions, primarily focusing on mature, middle-market companies in the media, communications, business and information services, and technology sectors. The firm typically invests between $10 million and $30 million in equity in companies generating EBITDA of $3 million to $15 million, with market capitalizations ranging from $10 million to $200 million. Seaport Capital seeks control positions and board representation in its portfolio companies, which often include founders or entrepreneurs looking for a collaborative partner to support growth strategies. The firm is known for its active investment approach and aims to create value through its substantial industry expertise and extensive experience.

Marcato Capital Management, LLC is an employee owned hedge fund sponsor. The firm provides its services to pooled investment vehicles. It invests in the public equity markets of the United States. The firm invests in value stocks. It employs a fundamental analysis to make its investments. Marcato Capital Management, LLC was founded on October 1, 2010 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Quadrangle Group is a private investment firm based in New York, established in March 2000, with over $6 billion in assets under management. The firm specializes in three distinct investment areas: private equity, public equity, and asset management. Quadrangle Group focuses primarily on mid-market companies within the information and communication technology sector, utilizing its extensive experience, industry knowledge, and relationships to maximize value. With additional offices in London and Silicon Valley, the firm operates without offering investment services to the public.

Credit Suisse is a Swiss financial institution founded in 1856, offering a comprehensive range of banking services through its various divisions. The company operates globally across several segments, including Global Markets, International Wealth Management, Investment Banking, and the Swiss Universal Bank. It specializes in providing over-the-counter derivative products, securities trading, investment research, and advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and capital raising activities. Credit Suisse also has a private equity arm that focuses on investments in buyouts, venture capital, and mezzanine financing, primarily in Europe and North America. This division invests across various sectors, including clean energy, life sciences, and financial services, typically committing substantial equity capital to middle market firms. Additionally, Credit Suisse is engaged in private equity fund investments and offers specialized services in real estate and structured equity investments. The firm is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and operates various international offices, including significant locations in London and New York.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services firm that offers a wide range of banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer finance products to individuals, businesses, and institutions both in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three primary segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. The Community Banking segment provides services such as checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and various types of loans. Wholesale Banking offers commercial and corporate banking services, including capital markets and cash management solutions. Wealth and Investment Management focuses on personalized financial planning and investment services. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the U.S., with a significant presence through retail branches and ATMs. The company continues to evolve by incorporating innovative financial solutions and expanding its global footprint in financial services.

The Firmament Group, formerly known as McLarty Capital Partners, is a private equity firm based in New York that specializes in providing tailored debt and equity capital solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Established in 2012, the firm targets investments in the lower middle market, focusing on industries such as agribusiness, health and wellness, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and logistics, among others. Firmament typically invests between $5 million and $30 million in companies with revenues ranging from $10 million to $300 million and EBITDA from $3 million to $30 million. The firm offers a variety of financing options, including senior and junior debt, mezzanine financing, and equity capital, primarily as a minority investor. Firmament aims to be a value-added partner for entrepreneurs and management teams, seeking to help businesses grow and succeed through strategic investments. Additionally, the firm has a presence in several U.S. cities and London, enhancing its ability to engage with various markets.