Advantage Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 1992 and based in New Orleans, Louisiana, with additional offices across the United States. The firm specializes in growth equity, lending, and mezzanine debt capital investments, primarily targeting small businesses at various stages of development, from early to later stages, excluding seed investments. Advantage Capital focuses on investing in low-income communities, both urban and rural, and supports state and local economic development initiatives. It seeks opportunities in sectors such as communication, information technology, telecommunications, business services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, life sciences, and energy, while also considering investments in rural agricultural businesses. The firm typically makes initial investments ranging from $0.5 million to $10 million in companies with sales of less than $5 million, with potential for larger investments based on milestones. Advantage Capital also provides various forms of debt capital and prefers co-investing with other firms. The firm is committed to addressing the financing needs of underserved areas and fostering economic growth in communities lacking traditional sources of risk capital.

Cultivation Capital is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, primarily targeting Seed to Series B funding rounds. Its investment strategy focuses on technology companies across various sectors, including life sciences, healthcare, agriculture, software, and information technology. Cultivation Capital typically makes initial investments ranging from $100,000 to $3.5 million, with an emphasis on supporting startups in their growth phases. The firm manages multiple funds, including those dedicated to life sciences and technology, aiming to foster innovation and development in these critical industries. As a Registered Investment Adviser, Cultivation Capital is committed to guiding emerging companies toward successful trajectories in the competitive market landscape.

BioGenerator is a non-profit venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, that focuses on fostering the growth of bioscience companies in the region. Established in 2003, it specializes in pre-seed, seed, and post-seed investments, primarily targeting startups in the healthcare and agricultural sectors. BioGenerator typically invests between $0.01 million and $0.25 million, providing up to $0.05 million for pre-seed companies and $0.25 million for seed stage ventures. The organization supports its portfolio companies not only through financial investment but also by offering shared laboratory space equipped with specialized tools and comprehensive management assistance. Additionally, BioGenerator often acts as the lead investor in initial funding rounds, collaborating with local angel investors and economic development groups to enhance the success of its investments.

Capital Innovators is an accelerator firm established in 2010 and located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The firm operates an accelerator program that offers $50,000 in seed funding, along with project-based mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. Over a 12-week period, participating startups receive valuable resources, networking opportunities, and potential follow-on funding that can range from $250,000 to $1 million. The program is designed to support early-stage companies by providing the necessary guidance and connections to foster growth and development in their respective markets.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development, located in Jefferson City, is dedicated to fostering economic growth and environmental sustainability in the state. Established in 2000, the agency provides a diverse range of services aimed at enhancing economic opportunities and creating high-paying jobs for residents. Its offerings include career assistance, community development resources, and various support services spanning fields such as science, finance, law enforcement, training, and web design. The agency's initiatives are designed to strengthen Missouri's economy while promoting the well-being of its communities.

Founded in 2016, KCRise Fund is a venture capital firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. The firm prefers to invest in seed-stage, early-stage, and later-stage companies. The firm seeks to invest in business products, business services, information technology, advanced manufacturing, augmented reality, big data, e-commerce, cybersecurity, b2b payments, infrastructure, SaaS, and technology-based sectors in Kansas and Missouri region.

iSelect Fund Management, LLC is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in early-stage investments, including series seed, A, and B rounds. The firm focuses on a diverse range of industries such as agriculture, healthcare, resource efficiency, education, financial services, and B2B software. Within agriculture, iSelect emphasizes plant sciences, seed genetics, and sustainability, while in healthcare, it concentrates on immunotherapy and personalized medicine. The firm primarily targets companies based in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and South, as well as in India. iSelect aims to invest a minimum of $0.05 million, with an investment horizon of 5 to 7 years or more. Established in 2014, iSelect Fund Management is committed to providing accredited clients with access to a diversified portfolio of promising early-stage private ventures, evaluated by a committee of experienced entrepreneurs and investors.

The National Science Foundation (NSF), established in 1950 and located in Alexandria, Virginia, is an independent federal agency dedicated to advancing fundamental research and education across all scientific and engineering disciplines. With an annual budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF operates America's Seed Fund, which allocates nearly $200 million each year to support startups and small businesses through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This initiative provides non-dilutive funding of up to $1.5 million to assist in research and development efforts, thereby facilitating the transformation of scientific discoveries into commercially viable products and services. By helping to de-risk technology, the NSF plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges through scientific advancements.

Serra Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Champaign, Illinois, founded in 1998. The firm focuses on investing in technology companies primarily located in emerging Midwest technology centers, as well as selected areas on the West Coast. Serra Ventures targets investments in various sectors, including information technology, deep technology, instrumentation, software as a service, devices, and agricultural technologies. By concentrating on these areas, Serra Ventures aims to support the growth of innovative companies that contribute to the technological landscape in the Midwest and beyond.

Prolog Ventures is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in investing in startups and early-stage companies, with a focus on life sciences, healthcare, and fast-moving consumer goods. Prolog Ventures targets sectors such as food and beverage, nutrition, personal care, household care, consumer wellness, agricultural technology, and diagnostics. The firm emphasizes investments in products and innovative business models that enhance the health and well-being of individuals and companion animals. This includes proprietary ingredients, formulations, and delivery technologies aimed at the consumer health and wellness markets. Prolog Ventures primarily invests in North America, contributing to emerging areas like nutrition, wellness, and green technology.

Yield Lab, LLC is an accelerator and venture capital firm founded in 2014 and based in Saint Louis, Missouri, with additional offices across Asia, North America, and Europe. The firm specializes in early-stage investments within the agriculture technology sector, focusing on innovative companies that aim to enhance food production and sustainability. Yield Lab primarily invests in startups by providing $100,000 in funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, fostering an environment where new AgTech companies can thrive. Its accelerator programs, which vary in duration from nine to twelve months, offer tailored training and access to a global network of agricultural businesses and experts. Yield Lab also manages regional funds, such as Yield Lab Europe and Yield Lab Asia Pacific, that support high-tech agrifood ventures by investing in promising companies that can significantly disrupt traditional agricultural practices. Through these initiatives, Yield Lab aims to bridge the gap between innovation and successful business outcomes in the agrifood tech industry.

Dundee Venture Capital is a venture capital firm based in Omaha, Nebraska, with additional offices in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Saint Louis. Established in 2010, the firm specializes in seed and post-seed stage investments, primarily focusing on technology startups. Dundee VC invests between $250,000 and $1 million in high-growth sectors such as e-commerce, B2B SaaS, and consumer networks. The firm avoids sectors that require government approval, including biotechnology and medical devices. Dundee VC typically engages with founding teams they believe in and seeks to take board positions or observer roles during lead rounds. The firm aims for exits within six to eight years and targets underserved capital markets across the United States and Canada. The foundation of Dundee VC was inspired by the experiences of its founding partner, who raised capital for his e-commerce ventures in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

SixThirty Ventures, LLC is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in early-stage investments in financial technology, insurance technology, and cybersecurity startups. Established in 2013, the firm focuses on companies that offer innovative solutions in areas such as payments, security, compliance, big data, lending, and wealth management. SixThirty typically invests between $0.1 million and $0.25 million in equity and aims to support 8 to 14 startups each year through an 8-week intensive business development program that provides funding, mentorship, and valuable connections. Although the firm generally prefers to take less than a 10 percent equity stake, it is open to negotiation. SixThirty's mission is to identify and nurture promising ideas in the enterprise technology sector, collaborating with corporate investors and partners to foster the growth of these startups.

Jump Capital is a Chicago-based venture capital investment firm founded in 2012, focusing on expansion-stage companies. The firm specializes in technology sectors, including fintech, information technology, data infrastructure, business-to-business services, software-as-a-service, and media. With a strong emphasis on operational expertise, Jump Capital provides its portfolio companies with access to a robust ecosystem that includes a wide network of resources, leading research labs, and academic institutions. This support aims to advance innovations in areas such as data mining, machine learning, high-performance computing, and healthcare.

Norwest Equity Partners (NEP), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a prominent private equity firm founded in 1961. NEP specializes in investing equity capital in established middle-market companies across various sectors, including agriculture, business services, consumer products, distribution, industrials, and healthcare. The firm focuses on companies with proven business models capable of generating profits and has extensive experience in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth financings, particularly in founder and family-owned businesses. NEP typically targets investment sizes ranging from $30 million to over $250 million, aiming to partner with companies that demonstrate strong potential for growth and industry leadership. Currently, NEP is investing from its latest fund, which has a total capital commitment of $1.6 billion.

Lewis & Clark Ventures is a St. Louis-based venture capital firm founded in 2014, focusing on early-stage investments in the heartland of the United States. The firm primarily targets Series A and B companies within the enterprise software, healthcare IT, and agricultural technology sectors. Committed to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurial talent, Lewis & Clark Ventures aims to be a trusted partner for the entrepreneurs they back, helping them navigate their growth journeys toward achieving scale and significance.

OCA Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Chicago, established in 1999. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds, targeting companies with significant growth potential. OCA Ventures primarily invests in technology and highly-scalable services businesses, with a strong preference for sectors such as software, fintech, healthcare technology, and education. The firm is currently deploying capital from its fourth fund, investing predominantly in companies located in the United States and Canada.

Thompson Street Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in investing in middle-market companies, focusing on growth capital, management buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate divestitures, and take-private transactions. It primarily targets established businesses in the manufacturing, distribution, and services sectors, particularly those that are founder-led or family-owned and undergoing transitions. Thompson Street Capital Partners seeks companies with revenues between $20 million and $200 million and EBITDA ranging from $1 million to $20 million. The firm prefers to take control positions in its portfolio companies while selectively considering minority investments in growth firms. Its investment strategy encompasses a wide range of industries, including healthcare, technology, military and homeland security, engineered products, and specialty chemicals, among others. The firm aims to create value through partnership with management and by pursuing add-on acquisitions for its portfolio companies.

Royal Street Ventures is a venture capital and private equity firm founded in 2012, with headquarters in Park City, Utah, and an additional office in Kansas City, Missouri. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on sectors such as health and wellness, transportation and logistics, action sports, tech security, data, education, specialty manufacturing, fintech, specialty chemicals, and pet care. Royal Street Ventures primarily targets companies located in under-capitalized markets, including the Mountain West, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest, and prefers to invest between $0.0001 million and $1 million in funding rounds ranging from $0.75 million to $5 million. The firm actively participates in its investments by holding director seats on the boards of the companies it supports, ensuring that they have access to ongoing guidance and strategic direction.

RiverVest Venture Partners is a venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in life science companies, particularly within the biopharmaceutical and medical device sectors. With additional offices in Cleveland and San Diego, RiverVest leverages its team's extensive domain experience to identify and incubate promising companies that have the potential to create significant shareholder value. The firm not only provides practical advice and strategic leadership to help entrepreneurs advance their businesses but also invests in select later-stage companies to diversify risk and enhance portfolio returns. RiverVest's focus includes a particular emphasis on opportunities in the Midwest, aiming to support and develop the region's life sciences landscape.

Compass Group Equity Partners is a private equity firm based in Clayton, Missouri, established in 2015. The firm specializes in middle-market acquisitions, focusing on a variety of sectors including electronics, beverages, distribution, food products, business and consumer services, niche manufacturing, and the Internet of Things. With a commitment to investing in North American businesses, Compass Group Equity Partners operates as a Registered Investment Adviser, aiming to identify and support growth opportunities within its targeted industries.

Five Elms Capital is a Kansas City-based private equity firm established in 2007, specializing in growth equity investments primarily in bootstrapped B2B SaaS and technology companies. The firm focuses on the software sector, particularly targeting investments in real estate technology, information technology, and related industries. Five Elms V, the firm's latest fund, is designed for growth expansion and typically invests between five million and seventy-five million dollars in each company. As a registered investment adviser, Five Elms Capital aims to support the development of technology-facing companies across the United States, leveraging its expertise to foster growth in the software industry.

M25 is a venture capital firm based in Chicago, founded in 2015, that focuses on early-stage investments primarily in the Midwest. The firm has invested in over 90 startups across more than 24 cities in 11 states, establishing itself as a significant player in the regional startup ecosystem. M25 employs an analytical and collaborative approach to identify opportunities across a diverse range of sectors, including technology, healthcare, finance, consumer products, and more. The firm aims to provide minority stake investments, targeting companies that demonstrate potential for growth in various industries such as analytics, e-commerce, and information technology. Through its strategic investments, M25 seeks to foster innovation and support the development of emerging businesses in the Midwest.

Stadia Ventures is a venture capital investment firm and sports business accelerator based in St. Louis, Missouri, with expanded operations in Frisco/Dallas. Founded in 2015, the firm focuses on sports and esports startups, seeking to invest in 4-6 promising companies twice a year. Each selected startup receives a $100,000 investment and participates in a 14-week business development bootcamp that includes mentorship from industry experts and networking opportunities with potential clients. Over four years, Stadia Ventures has built a portfolio of 40 companies, achieving five successful exits and enabling its portfolio companies to raise over $53 million in funding. The firm emphasizes sectors such as lifestyle and recreation, performance and wellness, fan engagement, content, media, and entertainment, as well as esports and sports betting.

Founded in 2008, OpenAir Equity Partners is a venture capital investment firm based in Overland Park, Kansas. The firm seeks to invest in the technology sector.

Lightchain Capital is a venture capital firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage life sciences companies, particularly those focused on improving patient outcomes in cancer treatment. In addition to its primary focus on life sciences, Lightchain Capital also explores opportunities within the software sector, aiming to support innovative solutions that can enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes.

FINTOP Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with additional offices in Hoboken, New Jersey, and St. Louis, Missouri. The firm specializes in investing in B2B service-enabled SaaS and software companies within the FinTech sector. FINTOP Capital focuses on startups that have established products in the market and demonstrate real revenues, led by experienced professionals from the industries they aim to transform. As a Registered Investment Adviser, FINTOP Capital is dedicated to supporting innovative companies that are poised for growth in the financial technology landscape.

At Simmons First, putting the customer first has been our business since 1903. Simmons First National Corporation currently operates eight affiliate banks that conduct financial operations from 89 offices, located in 47 different communities in Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas.

Flyover Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Overland Park, Kansas, founded in 2014. The firm focuses on seed and series A investments in technology-related companies across the United States, with a particular emphasis on B2B sectors such as finance, insurance, logistics, real estate, and cybersecurity. Flyover Capital aims to support aspiring technology entrepreneurs in the Midwest, believing that while these entrepreneurs possess innovative ideas, they often face challenges in securing necessary capital. The firm recognizes the region's advantages, including lower development costs, access to a skilled workforce from Fortune 500 companies, and a network of universities and research institutions. By leveraging these regional strengths, Flyover Capital seeks to create a favorable environment for both investors and portfolio companies.

Synchrony Bio is a venture capital firm established in 2018 and located in Saint Louis, Missouri. It focuses on early-stage investments in the biomedical, medical device, and life science sectors. The firm aims to mitigate risk while enhancing value and efficiency in the development of its portfolio companies. By concentrating on innovative ventures, Synchrony Bio seeks to contribute to advancements in healthcare and technology.

UMB Bank, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is a comprehensive financial services institution offering a range of commercial and personal banking solutions. Its commercial banking division provides various deposit, lending, and investment services, while the personal banking segment focuses on wealth management and financial planning. UMB also specializes in institutional banking, delivering asset servicing, corporate trust solutions, investment banking, and healthcare services. The bank serves diverse industries, including information technology, healthcare, energy, retail, and financial services. Additionally, UMB Capital Corporation, a subsidiary of UMB Bank, engages in private equity and venture capital investments, primarily targeting financial technology companies and middle-market businesses across the United States. This subsidiary offers custom capital solutions, including mezzanine debt and equity investments, while UMB Investment Advisors manages investment portfolios for benefit plans and high-net-worth individuals, focusing on equity and fixed income markets.

Firebrand Management, LLC is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and based in Kansas City, Missouri. It specializes in investing in early-stage software startups primarily located in the greater Midwest region of the United States, encompassing areas from San Antonio to Minneapolis and Boulder to Columbus. Firebrand focuses on technology sector investments, deliberately avoiding regulated markets. The firm typically invests an average of $1,500,000 in funding rounds ranging from $300,000 to $500,000, with additional capital set aside for select follow-on investments.

DFH specializes in distribution-related opportunities and is focused on reinvesting in businesses, building long-term value, and driving sustainable growth. Other DFH companies include Grabber Construction Products, Reliable Parts, and Triad Technologies.

O2 Investment Partners, LLC is a private equity firm based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in lower middle-market investments, focusing on sectors such as industrial manufacturing, niche distribution, B2B services, and technology. O2 Investment Partners typically invests between $1 million and $20 million in companies with revenues ranging from $10 million to $75 million and enterprise values between $10 million and $100 million. The firm aims to acquire a majority interest in its portfolio companies and seeks businesses with significant earnings growth potential and a clear path to creating shareholder value. O2 Investment Partners primarily targets opportunities in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions of the United States and parts of Canada, and it also considers opportunistic acquisitions in other industries. The firm emphasizes a partnership approach with management to support the growth and development of its portfolio companies.

Evergy Ventures is the venture capital arm of Evergy, established in 2015 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The firm specializes in investing in growth capital and early-stage companies within the energy sector, focusing on areas such as customer energy solutions, energy infrastructure, renewable services, and environmental remediation. In addition to these sectors, Evergy Ventures is open to attractive investment opportunities throughout the energy value chain. The firm primarily utilizes equity and debt instruments for its investments and has a strong preference for companies located in North America, particularly in the Midwest.

Core & Main is a specialty distributor that focuses on providing a comprehensive range of products related to water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection. Serving municipalities, private water companies, and contractors, the company addresses the needs of public works and private construction industries across municipal, non-residential, and residential markets. Its extensive product lineup includes pipes, valves, fittings, storm drainage solutions, fire protection systems, and meter products, with the majority of revenue derived from pipes, valves, and fittings. Core & Main plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of essential infrastructure, which supports population and economic growth as well as residential and commercial construction.

BJC HealthCare is a non-profit health care organization located in St. Louis, Missouri, established in 1993. It provides a wide range of health services to residents in the greater St. Louis area, as well as in Southern Illinois and Mid-Missouri. The organization aims to meet the healthcare needs of diverse communities, including urban, suburban, and rural populations. BJC HealthCare is managed by an executive team that oversees its assets and operations, ensuring the delivery of quality care to its patients.

Stifel Bank, a subsidiary of Stifel Bancorp, Inc., is a bank holding company based in Clayton, Missouri, focused on providing a comprehensive range of private and business banking products and services. It offers personal banking solutions such as checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, residential mortgages, and home equity lines of credit. For business clients, Stifel Bank provides business checking accounts, money market accounts, cash management services, and various loan options, including commercial real estate and small business administration loans. The bank also emphasizes digital banking services, including online and mobile banking, direct deposit, and e-statements. Stifel Bank primarily serves small and medium-sized businesses and their owners, aiming to be a leading financial partner by delivering customized financial solutions.

Radian Group Inc. is a prominent provider of mortgage and real estate services in the United States, operating through two main segments: Mortgage Insurance and Services. The Mortgage Insurance segment focuses on delivering credit-related insurance coverage, primarily through private mortgage insurance for residential first-lien mortgage loans, catering to various lending institutions, including mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and credit unions. In addition, the Services segment offers a range of mortgage-related services, including transaction management, loan review, securitization of residential mortgage-backed securities, and distressed asset evaluations. It also provides real estate services such as asset management, valuation, and brokerage, alongside title services that encompass title insurance and closing services. Radian is committed to promoting homeownership while assisting lenders in managing default-related risks, with insurance premiums constituting a significant portion of its revenue. Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Radian continues to support clients and investors in navigating the complexities of the mortgage and real estate markets.

Lewis & Clark Capital is a private equity firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri, founded in 2001 by Managing Partner Thomas Hillman. The firm specializes in investing in companies across a variety of sectors, including industrial products and services, business and financial services, food and beverage, health and wellness, niche manufacturing, commercial services, healthcare devices, healthcare technology, communications, networking, and software. By employing a selective investment strategy, Lewis & Clark Capital aims to concentrate its resources on business opportunities that demonstrate the potential to achieve significant impact beyond mere financial success. The firm's focus is primarily on companies located in the United States.

Simmons Bank, established in 1903 and headquartered in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, serves as the holding company for Simmons First National Corporation. The bank offers a wide range of financial products and services aimed at individuals and businesses, including checking and savings accounts, consumer and commercial loans, and agricultural financing. Additionally, Simmons Bank provides trust and fiduciary services, credit cards, investment management, insurance products, and securities services. With approximately 226 financial centers across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, Simmons Bank is well-positioned to cater to various sectors such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and agriculture, among others.

First Mid’s mission is to fulfill the financial needs of our communities with exceptional personal service, professionalism and integrity, and deliver meaningful value and results for customers and shareholders. First Mid Bank was first chartered in 1865 and has since grown into a $2.8 billion community-focused organization that provides financial services through a network of 52 banking centers in 37 Illinois and Missouri communities.

Lewis & Clark AgriFood is an investment firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri, established in 2019. The firm specializes in the agrifood sector, concentrating on agricultural innovation, sustainability, and ag-tech. It targets late-stage venture capital and growth-stage companies that are tech-enabled and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, particularly in plant agriculture, food, supply chain, and animal health. By focusing on firms approaching positive operating cash flow, Lewis & Clark AgriFood aims to mitigate risk while seeking substantial returns on investment, primarily along the United States coasts.

S2G Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Chicago, established in 2014, that focuses on investing in the food and agriculture sectors. The firm aims to support entrepreneurs whose products and services address the growing consumer demand for healthy, sustainable, and locally sourced food. S2G Ventures identifies key areas within the food system that are poised for innovation and change, creating a diverse portfolio that includes seed, venture, and growth-stage investments. Its investment interests span various domains, including agriculture, ingredients, infrastructure and logistics, food safety and technology, retail and restaurants, and consumer brands.

Kingdom Capital is a venture capital and private equity firm established in 2016 and based in Chesterfield, Missouri. The firm focuses on investing in early and growth stage, as well as mature and established companies, particularly within the healthcare, medical, technology, media, and real estate sectors. Kingdom Capital emphasizes sectors such as artificial intelligence, data science, therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare IT, and life science tools. The firm also fosters a values-driven investment approach, connecting its investors with philanthropic initiatives through the Kingdom Capital Foundation, thereby creating a comprehensive ecosystem that facilitates the flow of capital to its philanthropic community.

HBM Holdings is an investment and management company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, established in 2012. The firm focuses on acquiring, supporting, and operating middle-market businesses in various industrial sectors, including aerospace, defense, environmental services, medical devices, packaging, and mining. HBM Holdings employs a long-term buy and build strategy to develop a diversified portfolio. The company enhances the growth potential of its portfolio by providing professional management expertise, financial resources, and access to skilled human capital.

Emerson Electric, founded in 1890, is a U.S.-based company that integrates technology and engineering to provide innovative solutions across various markets. The company serves industrial, commercial, and consumer sectors globally through its divisions, which include network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and residential solutions. Emerson's product offerings encompass automation equipment, intelligent devices, and software control, with a notable focus on process manufacturing solutions that include measurement and analytical instrumentation, control valves, and actuators. Additionally, Emerson has a significant presence in the residential market, offering products such as heating solutions for both commercial and residential applications. With a commitment to technological advancement and manufacturing expertise, Emerson aims to deliver high-quality solutions that meet the diverse needs of its customers.

Cerner is a prominent supplier of healthcare information technology solutions, services, devices, and hardware aimed at enhancing the healthcare industry. The company specializes in electronic health records and provides an array of technology that addresses the clinical, financial, and operational needs of healthcare organizations. Cerner's solutions are utilized by over 9,300 facilities worldwide, including more than 2,650 hospitals, 3,750 physician practices, and various ancillary services such as laboratories and ambulatory centers. Operating in both domestic and global markets, Cerner is committed to improving healthcare outcomes through seamless medical record integration among providers. The company has a history of growth, marked by strategic acquisitions that have expanded its capabilities and market presence.

MassChallenge is a non-equity startup accelerator headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional locations in Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK. Founded in 2009, it focuses on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting high-potential startups across various industries globally. MassChallenge provides expert mentorship, a tailored curriculum, and access to corporate partners without taking any equity from the startups. Its programs, including specialized initiatives like MassChallenge FinTech and MassChallenge HealthTech, aim to facilitate partnerships between startups and established companies to drive innovation and growth. To date, MassChallenge has helped over 1,200 alumni raise more than $2 billion in funding and create over 65,000 jobs, demonstrating its significant impact on the global innovation ecosystem.

Alitus Partners is an investment and management firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri, established in 2014. The company focuses on providing liquidity solutions for business owners while also creating advancement and wealth opportunities for their teams. Alitus Partners primarily invests in sectors such as manufacturing, processing, business services, industrial services, and consumer products. As a Registered Investment Adviser, the firm aims to enhance the value of its portfolio companies through strategic investments and management support.