Founded in 1999, Enhanced Capital Partners is a New York-based investment firm managing over $400 million. It specializes in equity and debt investments for small to mid-sized companies across various sectors, with a focus on healthcare technology systems and TMT industries.

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is a U.S. government initiative aimed at promoting economic growth and development in underserved communities. It provides financial assistance and support to Community Development Financial Institutions, which offer affordable loans, investments, and financial services to low-income individuals and communities. The CDFI Fund focuses on fostering access to capital, encouraging community revitalization, and empowering local economies. By investing in various sectors, including housing, small businesses, and community facilities, the CDFI Fund plays a crucial role in enhancing the economic opportunities available to marginalized populations, thereby contributing to the overall stability and growth of disadvantaged areas.

BankFirst Financial Services, headquartered in Columbus, Mississippi, has been serving its community since 1888. With 16 branch locations across Mississippi and Alabama, the institution operates as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 2010. The company offers a wide range of banking services, including personal checking and savings accounts, debit and credit cards, home mortgages, and various personal and business loans. BankFirst also provides modern banking conveniences such as online and mobile banking, online bill pay, and wealth management services. The commitment of its Board of Directors and management team is to establish BankFirst as a leading, community-focused, independent bank in the regions it serves.

leading global alternative asset manager

Southern Motion is a manufacturer of upholstered motion furniture located in Pontotoc, Mississippi. The company specializes in a variety of products, including motion sofas, recliners, accent chairs, lift recliners, and home entertainment furniture. Southern Motion is known for its original designs and high-quality standards, offering one of the most comprehensive special order programs in the industry. By focusing on quick delivery and ultimate comfort, the company aims to meet the diverse needs of its customers, enhancing their seating experience with innovative mechanisms that allow for adjustable positions.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is a member-owned cooperative that provides credit products and financial services to support housing and economic development in its member institutions across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. By offering various financial tools, the bank enables its members to deliver essential financial products that fund housing, small businesses, rural development, and agriculture. Additionally, the bank focuses on specialized community investment, along with affordable housing loan and grant programs, aimed at financing community redevelopment and enhancing affordable housing opportunities in the regions it serves.

Founded in 1876, Cadence Bank operates as a regional banking company with over $6.7 billion in assets. It provides commercial banking and financial services to individuals and small-to-medium businesses through its network of over 95 branches across Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. The bank is committed to understanding its customers' needs and offering innovative products and top-tier professional services, while also contributing positively to the communities it serves.

Founded in 1875, Churchill Downs Incorporated is a leading gaming entertainment company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. It owns and operates the iconic Churchill Downs Racetrack, home of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, along with various racetracks, casinos, and online wagering platforms across the United States. The company also owns Big Fish Games, one of the world's largest casual games producers, and provides racing-related telecommunications services.

Renasant Corporation is a bank holding company based in Tupelo, Mississippi, that operates Renasant Bank, which provides a wide range of financial services across Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Established in 1904, Renasant Bank offers personal banking services such as checking and savings accounts, personal loans, and wealth management, as well as retirement planning and credit services. For businesses, it provides checking accounts, treasury management, various loan options including SBA loans, and business insurance services. Additionally, Renasant Insurance, a wholly owned subsidiary, delivers insurance products. The company features automated teller machines throughout its service areas and offers online and mobile banking for convenient, round-the-clock access to banking services. Renasant Corporation further expanded its footprint through a merger with First M&F Corporation in 2013.

Meritus Ventures is a venture capital firm based in London, Kentucky. It makes equity investments in expansion-stage private companies, with a focus on rural areas of central and southern Appalachia. The firm targets opportunities in information technology, industrials, and technology, media, and telecommunications sectors, and its activity spans across Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Appalachian counties in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. It may provide operational support to portfolio companies.

Epika Fleet Services operates a network of mobile and in-shop preventative maintenance service centers dedicated to supporting commercial fleets throughout the United States. The company partners with top industry players and operates under well-regarded brands such as LubeZone, ProFleet, All Star Truck Service, and Deaton Fleet Solutions. With a presence in California, Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia, Epika maintains 11 quick service preventative maintenance locations, five full-service repair facilities, and 15 branch locations. Additionally, the company operates nearly 50 mobile service units across Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi. By focusing on preventative maintenance, mechanical repair, and mobile services, Epika helps clients minimize downtime and maintain their fleet operations at competitive costs.

TechFarms is a consulting firm that offers hybrid outsourcing, staff augmentation, product development, and mail services.

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.

Southern Bancorp, Inc. is a community development bank dedicated to providing banking and lending services to underserved communities in Arkansas and Mississippi. Founded in 1986 and formerly known as Southern Development Bancorporation, the company has originated over $2 billion in development loans, primarily targeting individuals and organizations in economically disadvantaged areas. As a certified community development financial institution, Southern Bancorp aims to enhance financial access and investment, fostering economic growth in rural regions. The organization focuses on comprehensive community engagement, recognizing that access to capital alone is insufficient for meaningful change. Its efforts extend beyond traditional banking to include credit counseling and public policy advocacy, all aimed at empowering families and communities to achieve financial stability and growth.

Founded in 1980, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable communities across America. LISC provides comprehensive community development programs, including loans, grants, equity investments, technical assistance, and policy support to local organizations. Its mission is to transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy, sustainable, and thriving communities.

Tencarva Machinery is a prominent distributor of process equipment and services, catering to industrial and municipal clients across the Southeast United States since 1978. The company specializes in providing a wide range of pumping systems, fluid handling systems, air handling equipment, and liquid process equipment tailored for various industries, including chemical, citrus, paper, textile, and power. In addition to its diverse product offerings, Tencarva also operates repair centers and field service teams capable of servicing most types of rotating process equipment. This comprehensive approach ensures that clients receive reliable and cost-effective solutions that meet their specific application needs.

Founded in 1993, Steel Dynamics is one of the largest U.S. steel producers and metal recyclers, with over $8 billion annual revenue, approximately 7,700 employees, and facilities across the United States. The company operates six steel mills producing high-quality sheet and long products for various industries such as automotive, construction, manufacturing, and energy. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, OmniSource Corporation, manages ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal recycling. Additionally, Steel Dynamics offers fabrication services through New Millennium Building Systems.

Southeastern Grocers is a regional grocery retailer and the parent company of BI-LO, Harveys, and Winn-Dixie stores. It ranks among the largest conventional supermarket chains in the United States by store count and is the second-largest in the Southeast. The company operates grocery stores, liquor stores, and in-store pharmacies across seven southeastern states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina—and employs about 66,000 associates serving customers in roughly 756 grocery stores, 145 liquor stores, and 504 pharmacies.

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

Founded in 1984, Landscape Workshop is a full-service grounds management company specializing in commercial properties across the Southeast. It offers landscaping construction, maintenance, design, irrigation services, facility services, and snow removal, serving industries such as healthcare, retail, office parks, multifamily facilities, and municipalities.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a public utility holding company based in Houston, Texas, engaged in the delivery of energy services across various segments. The company provides electric transmission and distribution services, primarily serving over 2.5 million customers in the Houston area and southern Indiana. Its Natural Gas Distribution segment supplies regulated intrastate natural gas and transportation services to approximately 4 million customers, encompassing residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy's Energy Services division offers natural gas supplies and management services, while its Infrastructure Services segment focuses on underground pipeline construction and repair. The company also participates in midstream operations, providing natural gas and crude oil gathering and processing services, as well as pipeline transportation and storage. Founded in 1866, CenterPoint Energy plays a vital role in the energy sector, operating across multiple states including Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The Southern Appalachian Fund is a $12.5 million venture capital firm based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with an additional office in London, Kentucky. It invests in early and expansion-stage companies operating in the interactive home entertainment, manufacturing, technology, and software sectors, with a focus on small businesses in southern Appalachia, particularly in Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Appalachian counties of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. The fund typically invests between $200,000 and $600,000 in its portfolio companies, often leading investment syndicates or co-investing with other institutional investors and seasoned angel investors. It seeks to generate market-rate returns for its investors while promoting shared and sustainable business growth and wealth creation in its target region. The fund's mission is to provide not only equity capital but also operational assistance, active board participation, and mentoring to its portfolio companies.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

Advantage Capital Partners is a venture capital firm that provides growth equity, lending, and mezzanine debt to United States companies at various stages, with a focus on small businesses and underserved communities. It pursues investments in companies that develop or apply proprietary technologies across information technology, telecommunications, business services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, energy, and related sectors, and considers opportunities in rural agriculture supply chains. The firm offers a mixed debt and equity toolkit, including senior and subordinated debt, mezzanine financing, and government-guaranteed lending, sometimes providing equity to real estate projects; it often co-invests with other investors to support bank lending. Its geographic focus spans multiple states, reflecting a commitment to economic development by backing ventures that create jobs and strengthen local economies. Founded in 1992, the firm is headquartered in New Orleans with additional offices across the United States and has supported thousands of small businesses and development projects.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) leads initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. It aims to expand markets for agricultural products globally, foster alternative markets domestically, improve rural infrastructure, enhance food safety, promote nutrition education, and manage public lands collaboratively.

TT Capital Partners is the private equity arm of TripleTree and an independent investment firm based in Minnesota, with offices in Minneapolis and New York. It concentrates on growth equity investments in healthcare and technology companies, including healthcare services, clinical services and healthcare technology, aiming at innovative, high-growth firms expanding their customer base or entering new markets. The firm typically seeks majority stakes and combines principal investing with advisory capabilities rooted in its merchant banking heritage. TT Capital Partners focuses on opportunities within the healthcare and technology sectors and supports portfolio companies through strategic growth initiatives.

Entergy Corporation is a Fortune 500 integrated energy company that focuses on electric power production and retail distribution. It owns and operates generating assets with approximately 30,000 megawatts of capacity, including nearly 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power, and serves about 3 million customers through five regulated utilities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The company also engages in wholesale energy activities and provides services to support its generation and distribution network. As a holding company, Entergy coordinates generation, transmission, and distribution operations to deliver electricity and related services across its regional markets.

Ameris Bank is a commercial bank headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, established in 1971. It operates as a full-service financial institution, offering a comprehensive range of banking and mortgage services across Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. With nearly $7 billion in assets, Ameris Bank has demonstrated consistent growth over more than two decades and has maintained profitability for over 16 consecutive quarters. The bank serves small to middle-market companies and individual customers, providing products such as mortgage and refinancing services, treasury support, and various investment and savings options. Ameris Bank caters to diverse sectors, including insurance, software, retail, chemicals, healthcare, energy, and transportation.

Founded in 2004, Pine Street Capital Partners is a Massachusetts-based independent firm that provides financing solutions to lower mid-market companies. They invest with experienced management teams in established businesses, offering mezzanine and equity capital for strategic acquisitions, private equity-sponsored buyouts, management buyouts, recapitalizations, and shareholder dividends.

Castle Crow & Company is a merchant banking and private equity firm focused on middle-market opportunities in the United States and Canada. It specializes in recapitalizations, management buyouts, leveraged buyouts, and mezzanine capital investments, as well as growth capital and industry consolidation. The firm makes equity and debt investments in privately held companies and in subsidiaries or divisions of public companies, and pursues minority equity investments. In addition to investments, Castle Crow & Company provides advisory services to owners and management teams to help create growth strategies and exits. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in San Francisco, the firm maintains additional offices in Atlanta and Reno.

WisdomTree is a global provider of exchange-traded products and asset management services, offering a broad range of ETFs and related products across equities, fixed income, currencies, and alternatives. The company develops its own fundamentally weighted indices, licenses its indexes to third parties, and supports retirement and advisor platforms with integrated solutions. It provides investment advisory services and is expanding into digital funds, tokenized assets, and a blockchain-native wallet called WisdomTree Prime. Founded in 1985 and based in New York, WisdomTree operates as an ETF sponsor and asset manager with a growing focus on digital investing.

Founded in 1871, Truist is a banking organization headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It offers a wide range of consumer and commercial financial services including retail banking, small business lending, asset management, insurance, mortgage lending, investment brokerage services, wealth management, asset-based lending, commercial mortgage lending, leasing, payment solutions, supply chain financing, and commercial deposit services.

Triangle Tweener Fund, established in 2021 and based in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage, high-technology startups within the Triangle area, which includes Raleigh, Durham, and surrounding regions. The firm aims to build a comprehensive index of private company investments that meet its specific 'Tweener List' criteria, targeting promising ventures at a critical stage of their development. By concentrating on seed and early-stage investments, Triangle Tweener Fund seeks to support the growth of innovative companies that have the potential to contribute significantly to the local economy and the tech landscape.

PNC, established in 1845, is a prominent commercial bank headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It offers a wide array of financial services, including personal and business banking, residential mortgage banking, real estate finance, asset-based lending, wealth management, and specialized banking for corporations and government entities. PNC's primary geographic markets span across the Mid Atlantic and Northeast United States. PNC Mezzanine Capital, an investment arm of PNC Financial Services Group, specializes in acquisitions, mezzanine, recapitalization, growth capital, and buyout transactions. It primarily invests in middle market companies in the United States and Canada, focusing on niche manufacturing, value-added distribution, commercial services, and business and consumer services sectors. The firm typically invests between $5 million and $70 million, often taking majority stakes, and structures investments as second lien debt, subordinated debt, or equity.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent federal agency that funds and promotes artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. Since its founding in 1965, the NEA has awarded more than $5 billion to support diverse opportunities for arts participation. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA works to strengthen the creative capacity of communities across the United States. Headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia, the NEA plays a crucial role in advancing artistic excellence and enriching the cultural landscape of the nation.

Founded in 2012, Compass is a real estate technology company that provides an online platform for buying, renting, and selling properties. Its end-to-end platform supports the entire transaction workflow by pairing industry talent with technology to create intelligent and seamless experiences. Compass operates across multiple regions in the United States.

Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo is a diversified financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. It provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutions worldwide.

Washington Trust is a financial institution that provides a range of banking and wealth management services. It offers personal and commercial banking products, including checking and savings accounts, loans, and mortgages. The bank also specializes in investment management, trust services, and financial planning for individuals and businesses. With a focus on client relationships, Washington Trust aims to deliver tailored financial solutions that meet the unique needs of its customers. The institution is dedicated to fostering community engagement and supporting local initiatives, reflecting its commitment to the areas it serves.

Founded in 1994, Housatonic Partners is a private equity firm based in San Francisco with additional offices in Boston. The firm specializes in investments in middle market companies across various sectors including recurring services, media, business services, tech-enabled services, healthcare, and communications industries. They typically invest between $10 million to $50 million, seeking companies with EBITDA margins greater than 20 percent.

KeyBank Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization. KeyBank Foundation supports organizations and programs that prepare individuals for thriving futures.

Exact Sciences is a leading molecular diagnostics company specializing in colorectal cancer detection. It offers Cologuard, a non-invasive stool-based DNA screening test, which is recommended by major healthcare guidelines. The company also provides Oncotype DX, a suite of tissue-based genomic tests for breast and colon cancers.

Battery Ventures is a technology-focused investment firm founded in 1983 and based in Boston, Massachusetts. It invests through venture capital and private equity, targeting technology companies that can become category-defining leaders in areas including application software, IT infrastructure, consumer internet and mobile services, industrial technologies, and life sciences tools.

Founded in Boston in 2006, SLR Credit Solutions specializes in providing private credit solutions to middle-market companies undergoing restructuring or bankruptcy. The company offers innovative capital, debt-structuring expertise, and industry-specific knowledge to support these businesses.

Alaris is a Canadian company that provides alternative financing to profitable, well-managed private businesses in North America. It offers long-term equity capital to companies seeking an alternative to traditional debt or private equity, allowing owners to retain control of their business.

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.

HUB International is a full-service insurance brokerage firm based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1998. It provides a wide range of insurance products and services, including business insurance such as commercial property, general liability, cyber, professional liability, and automobile coverage. The company also offers employee benefits products like health and retirement planning, personal insurance for property, casualty, health, and life, and risk management solutions. Additionally, HUB International provides human resources consulting services. It serves various industries including agribusiness, construction, education, healthcare, hospitality, real estate, sports, and transportation. The company has offices across North America and Canada.

Established in 1819, BankNewport is a commercial bank based in Middletown, Rhode Island. It offers a comprehensive range of banking services, including loans and deposits, catering to both individual customers and businesses across the state.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a United States government agency established in 1958, primarily in response to advancements in space exploration by the Soviet Union. Originating from the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, NASA has a long history of advancing aeronautics and astronautics. It gained prominence for its Apollo program, which successfully landed humans on the moon in 1969. NASA has since been instrumental in various space missions, including the development of the space shuttle, which provided regular access to space from 1981 until its retirement in 2011. The agency plays a key role in the International Space Station, furthering human presence in space through international collaboration. In addition to manned missions, NASA conducts extensive scientific research, exploring planets like Mars and monitoring Earth's climate through satellites. Its aeronautics teams continue to innovate in creating safer and more efficient aircraft. Overall, NASA's work aims to expand human knowledge and capabilities in space while contributing to advancements that benefit life on Earth.

MassChallenge is a global startup accelerator supporting early-stage entrepreneurs across various industries. Founded in 2009, it provides mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities through its programs worldwide.

White Star Capital is a global multi-stage technology investment firm and venture platform headquartered in New York, with a presence across North America, Europe and Asia. It backs exceptional entrepreneurs building ambitious, internationally scalable tech companies, helping portfolio founders scale their businesses from Series A onwards through its experience, networks and value-add support. The firm invests across software, information technology and digital assets, operating a core venture program and a dedicated digital asset strategy that backs crypto networks and blockchain-enabled businesses. Its offices span New York, London, Montreal, Toronto, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong, enabling it to partner with founders to expand internationally.