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.

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable foundation based in St. Paul, Minnesota, established in 1944. Its primary mission is to assist individuals in achieving full economic, civic, and social participation, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of communities. The foundation focuses on creating measurable and meaningful impacts through its philanthropic efforts across Minnesota, North Dakota, and western Wisconsin. The trust's assets are overseen by an executive management team dedicated to fostering positive change and strengthening community engagement.

CIBC Capital Partners is a Toronto-based investment firm specializing in direct, fund, and mezzanine investments. It provides subordinated debt and equity to mid- and late-stage private or public companies for growth financing, acquisitions, management buyouts, and recapitalizations. The firm prefers investments in later-stage companies undergoing financial restructurings, with a focus on sectors such as Industrials, Healthcare, Biotechnology, Financials, and Technology. It typically invests CAD10-20 million ($9.81-$19.61 million) per company, based primarily in Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Arthur Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology companies, with an emphasis on B2B software and other information technology-enabled sectors. It backs startups across North America, including the United States and Canada, with a regional strength in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest and offices in Fargo and Minneapolis. The firm targets post-angel and pre-institutional rounds, participating in seed and early-stage financings and, in later stages, prefers syndication with other investors. Its investment scope covers information technology, life sciences, healthcare, and clean technologies, including software, hardware, web-based services, biotech, medical devices, biofuels, energy efficiency, and related enabling technologies. Arthur Ventures was founded in 2008.

ARB Midstream, LLC, based in Denver, Colorado, specializes in logistics and infrastructure solutions for the North American energy markets. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on the construction, development, and optimization of crude oil-related assets, providing comprehensive midstream and marketing services for crude oil, liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs), and refined products. ARB Midstream serves a diverse clientele, including producers, midstream companies, and refiners, and operates in key regions such as Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Calgary, Alberta. By targeting under-served markets, ARB Midstream aims to develop innovative midstream assets that create long-term value for both its customers and investors.

Founded in 2009, LongWater Opportunities is a Dallas-based private equity firm focusing on control buyout equity investments in lower middle market U.S.-based manufacturing companies. The firm partners with family owner-operators and entrepreneurs, taking a hands-on approach to identify and execute strategic initiatives that create sustainable competitive advantages.

Midwest Growth Partners is a private investment firm that focuses on growth-stage companies.

Goodnight Midstream, LLC is a leading provider of fluids management services to oil and gas producers in North Dakota, Wyoming, Texas, and New Mexico. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company specializes in the gathering and disposal of produced saltwater through an extensive network of over 150 miles of saltwater gathering pipelines and 16 saltwater disposal facilities, primarily in the Bakken region. Goodnight Midstream's operations focus on minimizing environmental impact and enhancing health and safety for its clients while also helping to lower their lease operating expenses.

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.

Union Pacific is the largest railroad company in North America, operating over 32,000 route miles across 23 states west of Chicago. It specializes in transporting a wide range of goods including coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, fertilizers, and automotive goods. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Union Pacific employs approximately 45,000 people.

Founded in 1989, ImmunoPrecise Antibodies specializes in antibody production services globally. It offers a wide range of services including B cell sorting, custom antibody manufacturing, and optimization. The company collaborates with various institutions for COVID-19 research and has been recognized for its competitive antibody service portfolio.

Enservco Corporation is a provider of well-site services to the domestic onshore oil and gas industry, operating through its subsidiaries Heat Waves Hot Oil Service and Dillco Fluid Services. The company specializes in a range of services including hot oiling, frac heating, acidizing, pressure testing, and fluid management, catering to both large and small energy companies across diverse regions in the United States, including Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Enservco is also expanding its operations to the Northeastern U.S., particularly targeting the Marcellus shale in the Appalachian Basin, and is establishing a facility in North Dakota to serve the Bakken Formation. With a fleet of over 200 specialized trucks and related equipment, Enservco also offers frac tank rental and oilfield construction services, focusing on providing reliable, round-the-clock service to its clients.

Dakota Venture Group (DVG) is a venture capital investment fund operated by students at the University of North Dakota. Established in 2006, it holds the distinction of being the first entirely student-run venture capital fund in the United States. DVG offers students a unique opportunity to engage in all aspects of the investment process, including conducting due diligence, making final investment decisions, and negotiating deal terms. The organization focuses on investing in high-growth companies across the United States, providing a valuable experiential learning platform in the fields of venture capital and angel investing.

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.

Apollo is a global investment management firm specializing in private equity, credit-oriented capital markets, and real estate investments.

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.

Founded in 2000, Norwest Mezzanine Partners is a Minnesota-based investment firm that provides junior capital solutions to middle market companies across various industries. It partners with private equity firms to drive value for portfolio companies and create successful outcomes for stakeholders.

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.

McGowan Capital Group is a private equity firm based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, established in 2004. The firm specializes in growth capital investments, focusing primarily on early to mid-stage companies. By providing financial resources and strategic support, McGowan Capital Group aims to foster the development and expansion of its portfolio companies.

Founded in 1998, TriWest Capital Partners is a Calgary-based private equity firm specializing in equity investments in mid-market companies across Canada. It focuses on service, manufacturing, and distribution sectors, typically investing in businesses with annual revenues between $10 million and $200 million and EBITDA ranging from $10 million to $100 million. TriWest provides more than just capital, leveraging its managing directors' significant operational and transactional expertise to create shareholder value.

Germin8 Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in disruptive Food & AgTech companies globally. Established in 2017, it focuses on transformative technologies and solutions across the agriculture and food value chain.

Established in 1813, Continental Grain Company is a global investment firm focused on the food and agriculture landscape. With a rich entrepreneurial legacy and significant permanent capital, it builds long-term value through strategic partnerships with exceptional management teams across its diversified operations and investment activities.

The U.S. Department of Education is a federal agency responsible for establishing policies and administering most federal assistance programs related to education. Its mission is to promote student achievement and ensure equal access to education for all individuals. The Department supports the implementation of education policies set by the President and Congress, coordinating efforts among various stakeholders, including state and local education systems, private educational institutions, and community organizations. It oversees programs that serve millions of students across public and private schools and provides financial assistance through grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Additionally, the Department enforces civil rights laws to eliminate discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding, thereby fostering an inclusive educational environment. Established in 1979, the agency aims to enhance the quality and effectiveness of education, improve management of federal education activities, and increase accountability to the public and government entities.

Princeton Medspa Partners is a company focused on acquiring and developing high-quality medical spas. It operates medical aesthetic clinics that provide a range of services, including laser treatments, medical-grade facials, injectables, clinical skincare, laser hair removal, and body contouring. The company aims to deliver relevant beauty and wellness treatments to clients through its carefully curated offerings. In addition to its spa operations, Princeton Medspa Partners offers business intelligence, marketing, technology, and recruiting services to enhance the performance and growth of its facilities.

CPP Investments is a professional investment management organization based in Toronto, Canada, established in 1997 to manage the assets of the Canada Pension Plan. Its primary mandate is to invest these assets in a manner that prioritizes the best interests of Canadian contributors and beneficiaries while seeking to maximize investment returns without exposing the fund to undue risk. The organization was created in response to demographic challenges that threatened the sustainability of the Canada Pension Plan, as fewer workers were supporting a growing number of retirees. CPP Investments diversifies its portfolio across various asset classes, including public equity, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure, to ensure long-term growth and stability for the pension fund.

Founded in 2001, Yorkville Advisors is a global investment manager that specializes in providing growth capital through structured debt and equity investments. The firm invests across various industries worldwide, employing fundamental analysis to create customized portfolios tailored to meet the needs of the companies it invests in.

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.

Founded in 1865, Cargill is a global company that produces and markets food, agricultural, financial, and industrial products. With operations in over 70 countries and employing around 155,000 people, Cargill serves customers worldwide by offering collaboration, innovation, and expertise to help meet economic, environmental, and social challenges.

Founded in 2016, Lewis & Clark AgriFood is a growth equity investment firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri. The firm focuses on investing in companies that deliver benefits across the food and agriculture sector, from producers to consumers. They target growth-stage companies with innovative technologies poised for national or global scale.

Founded in Maumee, Ohio, in 1947, The Andersons is a diversified company primarily focused on the agriculture sector. Its operations are segmented into Trade, Renewables, and Nutrient & Industrial segments. The Trade segment, which contributes significantly to its revenue, is engaged in the movement of physical commodities such as whole grains, grain products, feed ingredients, and domestic fuel products. The company generates a majority of its revenue from the United States, with additional revenue from Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Switzerland, and other markets.

Founded in 2021, Braemont Capital is a Dallas-based private equity firm that invests in companies across North America, focusing on technology, software, business services, and industrial sectors. The firm differentiates itself through its experienced team, industry partner network, and flexible long-term capital base.

Sovos provides businesses with scalable, reliable cloud-based solutions for navigating complex regulatory environments. With over 100,000 customers worldwide, including half of the Fortune 500, Sovos offers a modern approach to compliance through its suite of products that integrate with various business applications and government processes.

Merck is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and providing innovative medicines and vaccines. With a focus on various diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, and vaccines, Merck operates globally, with approximately 47% of its sales generated from the US human health segment.

First Reserve Corporation is a global private equity firm focused on investments in the energy sector, with a history dating to 1983 and headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. The firm concentrates on energy-related opportunities across infrastructure, energy services, and industrial markets, including exploration, production, refining, and power infrastructure. It pursues value added and infrastructure oriented strategies, leveraging deep industry knowledge, operational expertise, and an extensive global network. Since inception, it has raised a substantial amount of aggregate capital and completed numerous transactions, including platform investments and add ons, reflecting its experience in managing energy focused private equity and infrastructure portfolios across North America, Europe, and other regions.

Pelican Energy Partners is a Houston, Texas-based private equity firm that focuses on strategic investments in small- to mid-market energy services and equipment companies with high development potential. The firm targets opportunities in energy and related manufacturing industries across the globe, including energy equipment, energy services, manufacturing, and oil and gas sectors in the United States and Canada.

Battery Ventures is a technology-focused investment firm founded in 1983 and based in Boston, Massachusetts. It engages in venture capital and private equity investments in technology companies, with emphasis on software (including application and infrastructure software), IT infrastructure technologies, consumer internet and mobile services, industrial technologies, and life science tools. The firm seeks to back category-defining businesses with potential for scalable growth, often supporting companies through multiple stages and across select global regions.

BlackRock is a global investment management company based in New York City. It serves institutions, intermediaries, foundations, and individual investors, operating as a leading global asset manager that oversees and advises on a wide range of investment portfolios across multiple asset classes, strategies, sectors, and regions. The firm is noted for its emphasis on technology and financial solutions that support the broader financial industry, including risk management, advisory services, and integrated investment platforms. Through its diversified offerings, BlackRock aims to help clients pursue long-term goals across equities, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset strategies, while leveraging data and analytics to inform investment decisions and risk controls.

Vertex Ventures China is a venture capital firm that backs high-growth internet and technology startups across mainland China. Based in Beijing and Shanghai, it provides capital and growth-support services to portfolio companies and leverages the Vertex network of venture funds across the United States, Israel, Southeast Asia and India, supported by Vertex Holdings for local insight with a global perspective. The firm focuses on software, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, machine learning and edtech, aiming to help portfolio companies scale domestically and compete internationally.

Tailwater Capital, established in 2013, is a Dallas-based private equity firm specializing in middle-market investments within the energy sector, focusing on midstream and upstream oil and gas companies.

Lumina Foundation is an independent non-profit private foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, established in 2000. Its primary mission is to expand access to education, aiming to increase the proportion of Americans with degrees, certificates, and other high-quality credentials to 60 percent by 2025. The foundation employs an outcomes-based approach that emphasizes the design and development of an equitable, accessible, responsive, and accountable higher education system. Additionally, Lumina Foundation fosters a national sense of urgency for action to achieve its educational goals through research, information dissemination, and innovation.

50 South Capital is an alternatives asset management firm that provides investment advisory and asset management services to investors seeking exposure to hedge funds, private equity, and real assets. It operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation and focuses on private equity and hedge investment activities, with a particular emphasis on technology and life science companies in the United States. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company pursues growth through strategic mergers and acquisitions.

Founded in 1986, Banc Funds is a private equity firm focused on early-stage investments in financial services across North America. It primarily invests in small financial service companies such as commercial banks, savings and loan associations, regional investment banks, and specialty brokerage firms.

Founded in 2015 and based in Dallas, Texas, Fifth Partners is a real estate investment firm that focuses on acquiring income-producing assets with potential for improvement through active management. Their portfolio spans across various sectors including commercial, residential, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

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.

Pine Brook, established in 2006, is a New York-based private equity firm that invests in early to growth-stage companies, primarily in the energy and financial services sectors. It focuses on oil and natural gas exploration, power generation, fintech, and other financial services, typically committing between $100 million to $500 million per investment. Pine Brook seeks majority stakes and prefers to invest globally, with a focus on the Alberta region.

Gener8tor is a national accelerator and growth platform headquartered in Milwaukee that supports startups through mentorship-driven programs and selective capital. It runs accelerator programs that provide $100,000 in funding and 12 weeks of mentorship, spanning diverse sectors such as software, IT, web, SaaS, life sciences, MedTech, e-commerce, and hardware. The organization leverages a network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors, and venture capitalists to help portfolio companies scale. Gener8tor is a member of the Global Accelerator Network and operates programs in multiple markets, including Oklahoma City, to connect high-growth startups with coaching, career support, and broad industry networks.

Waud Capital Partners is a Chicago-based middle-market private equity firm established in 1993 that invests across North America. The firm focuses on control-oriented investments, including growth equity, industry consolidations, buyouts and recapitalizations, with a preference for companies that generate strong cash flow and can be grown organically or with add-on acquisitions. It targets sectors such as healthcare, healthcare technology, software, information technology, and technology-enabled services, as well as business products and services, specialty distribution, and other tech-enabled segments. Waud Capital partners with management teams to build durable value through strategic acquisitions, operational improvements, and revenue growth, leveraging its experience in consolidations and sector expertise to create scalable platforms. The firm pursues active investment strategies and seeks to create market-leading platform companies across North America.

Breakthrough Energy Ventures is an investor-led venture capital firm based in Kirkland, Washington, focused on climate and energy technology. It makes minority investments across seed, early, and later stages in companies delivering environmental services, climate technology, and cleantech solutions. The firm seeks scalable technologies that provide reliable, affordable power while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supports innovations that address energy access, infrastructure, and transportation needs. Its mission emphasizes patient, impact-oriented investing to accelerate the transition to low-emission energy systems.

AngelPad is a seed-stage accelerator program founded in 2010 by Thomas Korte and Carine Magescas, based in San Francisco, California. The program is designed to assist web-technology startups in achieving product-market fit and securing initial validation in their target markets. AngelPad operates two mentorship cohorts each year, offering an intensive 10-week program in both San Francisco during the spring and New York in the fall. The firm focuses on a range of sectors, including B2B, B2C, SaaS, and technology, among others. Notably, AngelPad gained recognition for allowing its startups to opt for $100,000 in funding from venture capital firms at the beginning of their program. It has consistently ranked as one of the top accelerators globally, highlighting its impact on the startup ecosystem.

Tiger Global Management is a New York based investment firm that manages public and private market strategies to pursue technology-driven growth opportunities worldwide. Founded in 2001 by Charles (Chase) Coleman, the firm invests in leading global companies across various industries, with a particular emphasis on technology-enabled growth. In public markets it employs long/short and growth strategies, while in private markets it targets opportunities from early to late stage. The firm operates globally, including the United States, China, India, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, and works with portfolio companies across their lifecycle to drive long-term value.