Coplex Holdings LLC, founded in 2000 and based in Phoenix, Arizona, operates as a tech startup accelerator and corporate startup studio. The firm specializes in early-stage investments and focuses on helping clients develop high-growth technology companies. Coplex employs a structured 9-12 month program designed to rapidly execute business ideas, validate key assumptions, and assemble necessary resources. Through its accelerator programs, Coplex provides teams and a proven process to shape business models, test concepts, build technology, and facilitate market entry. The goal is to help clients de-risk their business models, drive revenue growth, and transform innovative concepts into viable, investable enterprises.

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.

PHX Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2018 and based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The firm specializes in investing in seed-stage B2B software companies primarily within the United States, with a focus on the Arizona region. Through its 2023 vintage fund, PHX Ventures Fund II, the firm targets investments ranging from $1 million to $5 million. In addition to its investment activities, PHX Ventures operates a venture studio aimed at developing software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies.

AZ-VC is a venture capital firm established in 2017 and based in Phoenix, Arizona. The firm focuses on investing in technology start-ups located in Arizona, aiming to support and foster innovation within the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a Registered Investment Adviser, AZ-VC is committed to adhering to regulatory standards while providing strategic capital to promising ventures in the technology sector.

Mainsail Partners is a private equity firm based in San Francisco, established in 2004. With nearly $400 million in committed capital, it focuses on investing in profitable, growing companies in the United States and Canada, particularly within the healthcare, biotech, and technology sectors. Mainsail Partners collaborates closely with management teams to enhance the value of its portfolio companies, utilizing its expertise in operations, strategy, and finance. The firm has raised multiple buyout funds, including Mainsail Partners III and Mainsail Partners V, which target companies with revenues typically ranging from $4 million to $25 million. By emphasizing partnerships and operational improvements, Mainsail Partners aims to support businesses in becoming market leaders.

RIESTER is a full-service digital marketing, advertising and public relations firm providing a complete range of integrated services in brand planning, web and mobile marketing, advertising, media planning and buying, social media and public relations.

eScribers, established in 2005, specializes in providing high-quality transcription services tailored for legal proceedings, including court cases, administrative hearings, and arbitrations. The company offers a comprehensive, end-to-end transcription process that allows clients to send audio files and receive accurately formatted and certified transcripts. eScribers emphasizes precision and reliability, with a team of professional transcribers and editors who possess extensive knowledge of industry terminology and undergo rigorous training. Many of their staff members hold AAERT certification, and all transcripts are subjected to thorough reviews by in-house editors to ensure accuracy. The company has maintained its status as a member in good standing with AAERT since its founding, reflecting its commitment to excellence in transcription services.

The Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority (MCIDA) is an economic development agency located in Scottsdale, Arizona, established in 1973. Its primary mission is to foster job creation and maintain employment opportunities within Maricopa County, thereby enhancing the standard of living for its residents. The agency is governed by a board of directors that manages its assets and oversees its initiatives, which are aimed at promoting economic growth and improving the quality of life for the community.

Founded in 2022, Integro Bank is a Phoenix, Arizona commercial bank and fintech offering proprietary Integro360 consultative services aimed at helping small businesses accelerate growth. The firm's mission is to help small businesses grow and their "Why" is because employment lifts people up and transforms lives.

Centuri Construction Group, Inc. is a comprehensive utility infrastructure services enterprise dedicated to meeting the growing demands of North American utility, energy, and industrial markets. Centuri Construction Group is a subsidiary of Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc., a trusted provider of natural gas and construction services across North America.

Pangaea Ventures Ltd. is a venture capital firm established in 2000 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with additional offices in Phoenix, Arizona, and Hillsborough, New Jersey. The firm specializes in early and growth-stage investments, primarily focusing on advanced materials innovation across sectors such as energy, electronics, health, and sustainability. Pangaea Ventures seeks to invest between CAD0.5 million and CAD10 million, targeting companies based in North America, Europe, and Russia, while acquiring significant minority stakes and often taking board representation in its portfolio companies. The firm is particularly interested in sectors like clean technology, material science, nanotechnology, and chemistry, emphasizing energy generation, storage, and efficiency, as well as environmental materials. Importantly, Pangaea Ventures avoids investments in pharmaceuticals and weapons, aligning its portfolio with values of integrity and sustainability.

Arizona Financial Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that provides consumer and small-business banking services.

Pivotal Group, Inc. is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Phoenix, Arizona, that also engages in real estate investments. Established in 1982, the firm specializes in middle-market investments, focusing on various sectors including telecommunications, technology, media, healthcare, aerospace, and business and financial services. Pivotal Group targets mid to late-stage venture investments and prefers to partner with management teams rather than acquiring firms outright. Investment amounts typically range from $15 million to $500 million, with a focus on companies that have revenues between $20 million and $500 million and a minimum EBITDA of $10 million. In addition to its private equity activities, Pivotal has extensive experience in real estate, managing a diverse portfolio that includes residential projects, commercial developments, and luxury properties. The firm primarily invests in the United States and Canada.

F & B MFG LLC is a metal fabrication company based in Phoenix, Arizona, specializing in the fabrication of steel, aluminum, brass, copper, titanium, and high-temperature alloys. Founded in 1923, the company provides a range of services including laser machining, various welding techniques such as spot, seam, and manual fusion welding, as well as trimming, piercing, forming, deep drawing, and model trimming. Additionally, F & B MFG offers nickel alloy vacuum brazing, manual torch brazing, staking, riveting, and bonding services. The company also features hydroforming facilities, enhancing its capabilities in the metalworking industry. As of 2011, F & B MFG operates as a subsidiary of Thunderbird, LLC.

CopperPoint Insurance Company is a leading provider of workers' compensation and commercial insurance, focusing on delivering reliable and efficient service to injured workers, policyholders, agents, and communities. The company has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses in Arizona, offering a range of insurance products that include automobile, inland marine, property, and cyber coverage. By prioritizing the needs of its clients and their employees, CopperPoint aims to protect vital business interests while ensuring comprehensive support during challenging times.

IO Data Centers, LLC is a data center services provider founded in 2007 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. The company specializes in offering colocation and cloud services to businesses and government entities around the world. Its service offerings include raised floor colocation, modular colocation, and private cloud solutions. IO Data Centers emphasizes the use of advanced technology to deliver a secure, reliable, and redundant infrastructure, ensuring continuous uptime even during unforeseen disruptions. The company operates data centers in various locations, including Denver, Ohio, New Jersey, Singapore, London, and Phoenix. IO Data Centers has established strategic partnerships with several firms, enhancing its service capabilities and market reach.

Realty Executives of Nevada operates as a prominent real estate agency, providing a range of services including property management, property leasing, and land mortgage solutions. As part of Realty Executives International, one of the largest real estate franchise systems globally, the company benefits from a vast network of over 8,000 agents and 500 offices. This extensive reach enables Realty Executives of Nevada to effectively serve clients in various real estate transactions and management needs, positioning itself as a key player in the Nevada real estate market.

DOVETAIL is a private investment firm that makes principle investments using its own capital and capital raised from outside sophisticated investors primarily into commercial real estate assets. We align with seasoned operating partners to strategically place capital, and leverage our expertise to structure the risk away from ourselves and our investors. We invest in exceptional real estate assets, by combining our expertise with the track record of our best-in-class partners, to insulate and grow the wealth of our investor consortium.

True North Venture Partners is a venture capital firm established in 2010 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices in Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. The firm specializes in early-stage and late-stage investments across various sectors, including energy, water, agriculture, and waste management. True North seeks to be the first investor in its portfolio companies, typically investing between $0.1 million and $25 million, with the flexibility to invest larger amounts when warranted. It focuses on identifying talented entrepreneurs who are poised to drive significant innovation and address pressing global challenges, particularly in cleantech and low-carbon energy infrastructure. The firm aims to support businesses that have the potential to transform industries and contribute positively to the world.

Enterprise Bank & Trust, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Clayton, Missouri, is a commercial bank that provides a variety of banking products and services to privately held businesses. With 28 branch offices located in the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Kansas City, and Phoenix, the bank specializes in two main areas: commercial banking and wealth management. It serves a diverse range of industries, including construction, engineering, real estate, and financial services. The bank also offers personal banking services and operates a division called Enterprise Trust, which provides financial planning, estate planning, investment management, and trust services to individuals, businesses, institutions, retirement plans, and non-profit organizations.

VRG Capital Corp. is a private equity and venture capital investment firm based in Toronto, Canada, with additional offices in Vancouver and Phoenix. Founded in 1982, it specializes in investing in small and medium-sized companies across various sectors, including healthcare, financial services, information technology, logistics, insurance, and marketing. The firm focuses on providing growth capital, backing startups, and facilitating buyouts, acquiring both majority and minority stakes in its portfolio companies. Additionally, VRG Capital offers advisory services and supports companies seeking capital for mergers, emphasizing its commitment to fostering business growth and innovation.

Grand Canyon Education is a service provider focused on supporting colleges and universities in various operational aspects. It designs programs tailored to meet the needs of diverse student populations, offering services for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. The company's support encompasses the entire student life cycle, including strategic enrollment management, academic counseling, financial services, and compliance. Additionally, it provides technical support, learning management system assistance, curriculum development, and faculty recruitment and training. Grand Canyon Education’s primary partnership is with Grand Canyon University, which operates a regionally accredited institution in Arizona, offering a wide range of degree programs both online and on campus. The company generates revenue through service agreements with its university partners.

Virtuous is a developer of a cloud-based nonprofit customer relationship management (CRM) platform that aims to enhance fundraising and donor engagement for charities. Recognizing the limitations of traditional donor management software, Virtuous provides a relationship-centric solution that leverages data-driven insights to foster genuine connections between nonprofits and their supporters. The platform streamlines fundraising, marketing, and donor development processes, featuring user-friendly embedded donation forms that can be easily customized to personalize each donor's experience. By prioritizing relationships over transactions, Virtuous empowers nonprofits to raise more funds, inspire greater involvement, and ultimately create a positive impact within their communities.

Flinn Foundation is an independent non-profit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, established in 1965. It is dedicated to enhancing community development through philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on improving community healthcare and addressing health-policy issues in Arizona. The foundation actively supports the advancement of biosciences in the state and administers the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership in collaboration with the Thomas R. Brown Foundations. The assets of Flinn Foundation are overseen by its board of directors to ensure effective management and alignment with its mission.

ON Semiconductor is a prominent provider of energy-efficient solutions, specializing in power semiconductors and sensors primarily for the automotive and industrial sectors. As the second-largest power chipmaker globally and the leading supplier of image sensors for the automotive market, the company has evolved from a highly vertically integrated model to a hybrid manufacturing strategy that allows for flexible production capacity. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, ON Semiconductor offers a wide range of products, including power management, logic, analog, connectivity, and custom devices. The company focuses on addressing unique design challenges across various applications, including consumer electronics, medical devices, aerospace, and renewable energy. Additionally, ON Semiconductor is committed to maintaining a responsive supply chain and upholding environmental sustainability and social responsibility initiatives.

AML RightSource LLC specializes in providing anti-money laundering (AML) and financial crime compliance services to a diverse range of clients, including those in the financial services, retail banking, and insurance sectors. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including transaction monitoring, alert backlog management, due diligence reviews, and financial crimes advisory services. Its team of highly-trained professionals supports financial institutions in maintaining their compliance obligations on a daily basis. In addition to its Cleveland headquarters, AML RightSource has offices in Highland Hills, Ohio; Phoenix, Arizona; Buffalo, New York; and Ontario, Canada.

GlobalLink1 Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Phoenix, Arizona, established in 2015. The firm specializes in a variety of financial services, including private equity, venture capital, strategic financing, and private real estate investment trusts (REITs). It focuses on long-term investments across multiple asset classes and offers secured lending and leveraged investment services. With a diverse portfolio, GlobalLink1 Capital aims to provide comprehensive financing solutions for commercial and residential real estate, catering to a wide range of investment needs.

Social Leverage is a venture capital firm founded in 2009 and based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The firm specializes in early-stage and seed-stage investments primarily in the software, consumer, and financial technology sectors. With a strong emphasis on evaluating fundamental business metrics, Social Leverage leverages two decades of collective experience in building, valuing, and selling companies to identify promising investment opportunities. The firm maintains a robust deal flow pipeline that connects it with top-ranked venture capital and private equity funds, as well as exceptional entrepreneurs and innovative management teams. Social Leverage typically invests between $100,000 and $500,000 in capital light companies that address significant market needs with viable products. Notable investments include Robinhood, Kustomer, Angellist, Wag, EToro, and Ticketfly.

Cancer Fund, established in 2018 and based in Phoenix, Arizona, is a venture capital firm focused on advancing innovations in cancer treatment and management. The firm seeks to generate both impact and financial returns by supporting startups that are developing new therapies, diagnostics, and preventive technologies. With a commitment to enhancing patient outcomes, increasing access to care, and reducing healthcare costs, Cancer Fund aims to invest up to $30 million from pre-seed to Series D stages. The firm facilitates the progression of cancer innovations through regulatory approvals, technical validation, and early market adoption, positioning itself as a key player in the fight against cancer.

Arizona State University (ASU) is a state institution located in Tempe, Arizona, dedicated to providing higher education that emphasizes excellence, accessibility, and community impact. The university focuses on inclusive practices, measuring success by the diversity of its student body rather than exclusivity. ASU is committed to conducting research that benefits the public good and plays a vital role in fostering the economic, social, and cultural vitality of the surrounding communities. Through its various programs and initiatives, ASU aims to enhance the educational landscape while addressing pressing societal challenges.

Vantage Mobility International (VMI) specializes in the manufacture of wheelchair-accessible vehicles and related accessibility products designed for individuals with physical challenges. The company offers a diverse range of new and used wheelchair-accessible vans, engineered to provide comfort and convenience for disabled drivers and passengers. VMI's vehicles feature innovations such as increased headroom, lowered floors, and deployable ramps, enhancing ease of access and usability. In addition to accessible vans, VMI also produces platform lifts for wheelchairs, further supporting mobility solutions for individuals with disabilities.

Arizona Founders Fund is a seed-stage venture capital firm established in 2016 and located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The fund specializes in investing in early-stage software companies within the state, making it the only investment fund focused specifically on this sector in Arizona. Arizona Founders Fund targets ventures at the seed level, providing crucial support to startups transitioning to scale-up phases. The firm is dedicated to fostering innovation and growth in the technology landscape of Arizona.

Invitation Homes LP is a prominent owner and operator of nearly 85,000 renovated single-family rental homes across 16 major markets in the United States, including cities such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company focuses on homes in the starter and move-up segments of the housing market, typically priced around $350,000 and averaging less than 1,800 square feet. With a commitment to meeting changing lifestyle demands, Invitation Homes offers residents access to high-quality homes in desirable neighborhoods that are close to employment opportunities and good schools. In addition to managing its residential portfolio, the company provides responsive maintenance and resident support services, catering to both realtors and homeowners. The strategic positioning of its properties, particularly in markets with strong employment growth and affordable rental rates, underscores Invitation Homes' role in the evolving rental landscape.

Consolidated Investment Group is a privately-held investment firm established in 2003 and based in Englewood, Colorado. The company specializes in capital markets and commercial real estate while focusing on private equity investments. Its investment strategy includes buyouts, corporate divestitures, and growth capital, primarily targeting sectors such as food products, beverages, apparel and accessories, beauty, household care, and wellness within the United States.

PING designs, manufactures, and distributes golf equipment and accessories. The company’s product portfolio includes drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, putters, carry and cart bags, custom fittings, headwear, on-course gear, travel gear, gloves, and more for men and women. It also offers repair services for golf clubs and distributes its products through its network of retailers and online store. PING was founded by Karsten Solheim in 1959 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Caris Life Sciences is a biotechnology company based in Irving, Texas, specializing in precision medicine and the advancement of oncology treatments. Founded in 1987, the company focuses on developing and commercializing technologies for molecular profiling, anatomic pathology, and blood-based diagnostics across various medical fields, including oncology and pathology. Caris offers comprehensive molecular analyses of patient samples through services such as genomic profiling, transcriptomic and proteomic analysis, and the ADAPT Biotargeting System. Its platform, Caris Molecular Intelligence, aids in providing vital information for personalized treatment decisions by analyzing DNA, RNA, and proteins. The company serves a global market through distributors in the United States, Europe, and Australia, and collaborates strategically with partners like Debiopharm International SA.

Merit Capital Partners is a private equity firm established in 1993 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Phoenix, Arizona. The firm specializes in mezzanine and equity investments primarily in middle-market companies within the manufacturing, distribution, logistics, and services sectors. Merit Capital focuses on management buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth financings, typically investing between $10 million and $60 million in companies with revenues ranging from $25 million to $100 million and an EBITDA of at least $4 million. The firm prefers to structure its investments as subordinated debt combined with equity ownership, often taking a board advisor seat in its portfolio companies. While Merit Capital is open to both minority and majority stakes, it typically favors investments that offer meaningful equity ownership. The firm does not engage in start-ups, high technology, real estate, restaurants, specialty retail, or oil and gas sectors. Merit Capital also collaborates with smaller sponsors and larger private equity firms to support transactions.

Elsewhere Partners is a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas, that focuses on growth-stage investments in capital-efficient B2B software companies. Established in 2017, the firm targets businesses in sectors such as IT infrastructure, DevOps, FinTech, and healthcare, particularly those located outside traditional venture capital hubs. Elsewhere Partners typically seeks to invest in companies generating at least $4 million in run-rate revenue, demonstrating a minimum of 40% revenue growth, and having received less than $10 million in prior investment. The firm's investment strategy emphasizes supporting entrepreneurs in various cities, including Boulder, Denver, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, and several others across the United States and Canada. Additionally, Elsewhere Partners manages multiple growth expansion funds, including Elsewhere Partners BG Fund and Elsewhere Partners II, which further support its investment activities.

Iota is a telecommunications network provider and software-as-a-service platform focused on the Internet of Things (IoT). The company offers comprehensive solutions aimed at optimizing energy usage, sustainability, and operational efficiency for commercial and industrial facilities. Iota operates in two primary segments: IoT value chain management and connectivity, providing services such as remote monitoring, demand response, demand control ventilation, and fault detection. Additionally, Iota facilitates the adoption of its subscription-based offerings through ancillary products and services, including solar energy solutions, LED lighting, and HVAC implementation. By leveraging analytics and machine learning, Iota enables clients to achieve enhanced performance and connectivity in their operations.

Valor Global is an information technology company that specializes in managed IT services, customer care, and cloud integration solutions. It provides outsourced business processing and customer care services designed to help clients meet their business and profitability objectives. Utilizing LEAN methodologies, Valor Global offers a range of services including retention programs, billing and first-party collections, as well as customer satisfaction and net promoter score programs. The company also delivers technical support, enabling organizations in the technology, healthcare, government, and e-commerce sectors to concentrate on their core competencies while enhancing customer satisfaction.

Knight's Bridge Capital Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Toronto, Canada, with an additional office in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 2006 by Kenneth J. Finkelstein, Michael Finkelstein, Daniel Finkelstein, and Joshua Finkelstein, the firm specializes in leveraged buyouts and targets early-stage investments, particularly in retail properties across the United States and Canada. Knight's Bridge typically invests between CAD5 million and CAD10 million per transaction, focusing on opportunities that align with its investment strategy.

JMI Equity is a growth equity firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, established in 1992. The firm specializes in investing in leading software companies and targets North American businesses across various sectors, including cloud computing, digital health, finance, and information technology. JMI Equity has invested in over 145 companies and has successfully completed more than 95 exits, raising over $4 billion in committed capital. The firm collaborates with experienced management teams to enhance their companies' growth and develop them into industry leaders. JMI Equity manages multiple private equity funds, focusing on investments ranging from $25 million to $250 million.

Arizona Tech Investors, founded in 2007 and based in Phoenix, Arizona, is a community of accredited investors focused on supporting high-potential technology companies in the region. The group primarily targets seed and early-stage startups in information technology and life sciences. Members have the flexibility to invest individually or collectively through single-purpose LLCs and Sidecar Funds. Companies seeking funding undergo a competitive selection process, where the ATI Screening Committee chooses three candidates to present at each of the five Member Meetings held annually. These meetings take place in January, March, May, September, and October, providing a structured opportunity for investors to evaluate and support emerging businesses in Arizona's tech landscape.

Amgen Ventures is the venture capital arm of Amgen Inc., focusing on investments in early-stage and later-stage biotechnology companies. The firm aims to discover and develop human therapeutics, emphasizing areas such as oncology, inflammation, hematology, nephrology, metabolic disorders, neuroscience, and cardiovascular therapeutics. Specific areas of interest in oncology and hematology include novel therapeutics related to signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, and supportive care. In nephrology, the focus is on renal failure, while inflammation targets diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Cardiovascular investments address acute coronary syndromes and heart failure, and metabolic disorder investments include diabetes and osteoporosis. The firm also engages in early-stage drug discovery collaborations and innovative technologies. Amgen Ventures primarily operates in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom, typically investing between $2 million and $3 million per transaction, with a potential maximum of $10 million per company, while preferring an ownership stake of less than 15%. Established in 2004, Amgen Ventures is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in Seattle, Thousand Oaks, and Cambridge.

Questa Capital is a healthcare venture growth equity firm based in Washington, D.C., established in 2016. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in healthcare and biotech companies across North America, with an emphasis on disruptive business models that enhance the quality and efficiency of care. By partnering with strong management teams, Questa aims to help build innovative market leaders in various sectors, including big data, software as a service, artificial intelligence, and technology. Their mission is to generate exceptional returns for both investors and management teams through strategic investments in breakout growth companies.

Grayhawk Capital, LLC is a venture capital firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona, specializing in early-stage and growth-stage investments primarily in technology and healthcare sectors. Founded in 1999, the firm focuses on investing in companies located in the Southwestern United States, particularly in Southern California, as well as parts of Mexico. Grayhawk Capital typically invests between $1 million and $15 million, targeting companies with annual revenues exceeding $3 million and an enterprise value between $15 million and $75 million. The firm seeks to acquire minority ownership positions and prefers to invest in innovative and disruptive product offerings led by exceptional management teams. Investment areas include mobile computing, cloud/SaaS, cybersecurity, enterprise software, and healthcare IT, among others. Grayhawk Capital generally holds its investments for three to seven years, with exit strategies including sales to strategic buyers or public offerings. The partners at Grayhawk have significant experience, having managed multiple venture funds totaling over $500 million.

Rise of the Rest is a seed fund that focuses on investing in early-stage companies located in regions outside of major tech hubs like New York City, Silicon Valley, and Boston. Launched in 2014 as part of a broader initiative by Revolution, the fund aims to highlight and support emerging startup ecosystems in traditionally overlooked markets across the United States. By collaborating with regional leaders and co-investors, Rise of the Rest seeks to nurture the next generation of transformational companies. The fund typically makes initial investments of up to $1 million and is supported by a diverse group of prominent entrepreneurs and business leaders who believe that significant innovation is not limited to coastal areas.

Kain Capital is a private equity firm based in New York, established in 2014. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in the healthcare sector, specifically targeting clinics, outpatient services, elder and disabled care, and managed care areas. Kain Capital aims to create long-term value through deep collaboration with its business partners, which has been instrumental in achieving favorable outcomes. As a registered investment adviser, Kain Capital operates with a growth-focused investment strategy that seeks to enhance the performance of its portfolio companies in the United States.

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.

Republic Services, Inc. is a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste management services in the United States, offering collection, transfer, disposal, and recycling solutions for residential, commercial, and municipal customers. The company's operations encompass curbside waste collection, the provision of waste containers, and rental of compactors. In addition, Republic Services processes and sells recyclable materials, including corrugated containers, newsprint, aluminum, and glass. As of the end of 2019, the company operated 340 collection facilities, 212 transfer stations, 189 active landfills, and 79 recycling processing centers across 41 states and Puerto Rico. With a commitment to sustainability, Republic Services also engages in landfill gas-to-energy projects and educational initiatives aimed at promoting environmental awareness. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company continues to play a significant role in the waste management industry, focusing on efficient and responsible waste disposal practices.