Duke Energy is a leading U.S. energy company providing electric and gas services to approximately 7.9 million customers across six states. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company owns and operates diverse power generation assets, including renewable energy sources, with a focus on sustainability and community vitality.

Established in 2006, SC Launch is a non-profit corporation affiliated with South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA). It facilitates applied research, product development, and commercialization programs. SC Launch provides loans, investments, and resources to selected South Carolina-based companies participating in its program, aiming to create high-wage jobs and foster technology startups.

VentureSouth is a venture capital firm based in Greenville, South Carolina, specializing in startup and early-stage investments. The firm focuses primarily on manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare sectors, targeting opportunities in the Southeastern United States, particularly the Carolinas and surrounding areas. Since its founding, VentureSouth has developed a network of over 550 investors through various angel investment groups, making it one of the largest organizations of its kind in the country. The firm typically invests between $0.25 million and $2 million for a preferred equity stake of 15% to 35%, aiming for companies that can potentially deliver a 50% annualized rate of return within a 3-5 year timeframe. VentureSouth does not engage in common equity or debt investments, and it rarely invests in convertible debt.

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

Upstate Carolina Angel Network is an angel investor network based in Greenville, South Carolina, established in 2008. It comprises accredited investors who provide capital and mentorship to startup and early-stage, high-growth businesses in South Carolina and the Southeast.

Founded in 2015, Good Growth Capital is a majority women-owned venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies focused on life sciences, green tech, hard science, and data science. The firm specializes in technology commercialization, sourcing and assessing transformative companies to generate exceptional returns.

Hudson Automotive Group is a family-owned and operated motor vehicle dealership company based in Madisonville, Kentucky. Established in 1955, it operates multiple locations across Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee, including cities such as Cleveland, Kingsport, Morristown, Johnson City, Charleston, North Charleston, and Gastonia. The company specializes in the sale of new and used vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and trucks, and provides reliable auto services from various manufacturers. In addition to vehicle sales, Hudson Automotive offers auto loans and OEM parts, addressing a wide range of automotive needs for its customers. As a subsidiary of Watermark Auto Group, Hudson Automotive continues to uphold its commitment to customer service and quality.

Founded in 1961, Six Flags Entertainment owns and operates regional theme and water parks worldwide. With approximately 27 amusement parks and 15 separately gated water parks across North America, it offers thrilling rides, water attractions, themed areas, shows, restaurants, and retail outlets.

First Bancorp operates as a bank holding company for First Bank, focusing on providing a comprehensive range of banking products and services to individuals and small to medium-sized businesses primarily in North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. The bank offers various deposit products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as time deposits like certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. Additionally, First Bank provides loans for both consumer and commercial needs, covering areas such as business, real estate, personal, home improvement, and automobiles, alongside residential mortgages and small business administration loans. The company also facilitates credit and debit card services, safe deposit rentals, and electronic funds transfers, while offering internet and mobile banking solutions. Beyond traditional banking, First Bancorp provides investment and insurance products, including mutual funds, annuities, life insurance, and financial planning services. Established in 1934 and headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, First Bancorp operates 101 branches within the region.

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.

Third Prime is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York. It focuses on early-stage investments in seed and startup companies, primarily in business-to-business and financial services, while also engaging with consumers, real estate services, and media sectors. The firm typically writes early capital rounds ranging from roughly 250000 to 3000000 and has assets under management exceeding 500000000. It maintains an additional office in the Southeast, reflecting a broader market footprint beyond its New York base.

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

Nexus Medical Partners is a private equity firm focused on investing in the medical technology and life sciences sectors. With offices located in Massachusetts and South Carolina, the firm also maintains affiliates in major cities such as San Francisco, London, Munich, Geneva, and Tokyo. Nexus Medical Partners aims to provide not only financial support but also strategic assistance to its portfolio companies, helping them to grow and succeed in the global market.

Capital A Partners is a venture capital and private equity firm that specializes in providing growth capital, acceleration equity, and debt funding to early-stage post-revenue ventures and small profitable operating companies. Founded in August 2013 and headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, with additional offices in New York, Silicon Valley, Stockholm, and Berlin, the firm focuses on sectors such as technology, consumer products, healthcare, materials technologies, and cleantech. Capital A Partners primarily targets investments in the southeastern and East Coast regions of the United States, as well as in Latin America and Nordic-based companies.

Founded in 1995, Azalea Capital is a private equity firm headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. The firm invests equity capital in lower middle-market companies throughout the Southeastern U.S., focusing on businesses with annual revenues of $10 million to $100 million. Its investment focus includes facilitating management buyouts, business recapitalizations, and growth plans across sectors such as business services, industrial, consumer goods, and healthcare.

Prisma Health is the largest not-for-profit health organization in South Carolina, providing care to over 1.2 million patients each year. With a workforce of 32,000 team members, Prisma Health operates a network of acute care and specialty medical facilities. The organization offers a range of services, including nursing, treatment, and surgical procedures, while also engaging in clinical research and the training of medical professionals. This commitment to enhancing clinical quality enables Prisma Health to effectively support the health and well-being of individuals and families across the region.

Azalea Management Company, LLC is a private equity firm specializing in recapitalization, management buyout, divestitures, industry consolidations, corporate carve outs, underperforming situations, acquisition strategies, and growth capital investments in lower middle market companies. It does not invest in startups and structures the balance sheet of its portfolios. The firm seeks to invest in commercial printing, diversified support services, environmental and facilities services, office services and supplies, distributors, health care, security, alarm services, manufacturing; value-added distribution; consumer products with the focus on agriculture, food, beverage, pet product, pet service and health and wellness; Industrial with focus on industrial services, engineered products and niche manufacturing; aerospace; energy services; healthcare services; and business services sectors. It targets companies based in United States with a focus on Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest, and Texas. The firm makes investments up to $5 million in companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $100 million, and EBITDA between $1 million and $10 million. It also makes add-on investments, for which there is no minimum size required. The firm invests in the form of common and preferred equity in privately held operating companies. The firm seeks to acquire majority and minority stakes and prefers to be a co investor in its portfolio companies. It also seeks a board position in the companies it invests. Azalea Management Company, LLC was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.

Gold Ridge Asset Management is a private equity firm focused on micro-cap and early-stage companies along the East Coast of the United States, with offices in Charleston and Connecticut and a base in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It targets cash-flow positive businesses with valuations generally under ten million dollars and provides funding for acquisitions, growth capital, and ownership changes. The firm commonly uses convertible securities or debt with warrants and partners with managers who bring substantial resources to their ventures.

Blackbaud, established in 1981, is a global technology company specializing in cloud software solutions for nonprofits, foundations, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations. It offers a wide range of solutions, including fundraising and relationship management, financial management, marketing and engagement, organizational management, and payment services. Blackbaud's products are used by over 40,000 customers in more than 100 countries, facilitating over $100 billion in donations annually. The company's expertise lies in its deep understanding of the nonprofit sector, enabling it to provide tailored solutions that help these organizations operate more efficiently, build strong relationships, and raise more funds to support their missions.

Proterra Inc. is a manufacturer of zero-emission electric buses, primarily focused on providing sustainable transportation solutions for public and commercial transit. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Burlingame, California, with additional offices in Greenville, South Carolina, and City of Industry, California, Proterra designs its products, including 35-foot and 40-foot electric buses, to meet the diverse needs of urban and regional transit routes. The company's Catalyst platform is noted for its modularity, allowing it to adapt to various operational demands while delivering high energy efficiency. Proterra also offers a broad range of services, including vehicle electrification solutions, fleet planning, charging infrastructure, and comprehensive vehicle maintenance programs. By facilitating the transition away from fossil fuels, Proterra aims to enhance environmental quality and reduce operational costs for fleet operators, contributing to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

American Electric Power Company, Inc. is a major electric public utility holding company based in Columbus, Ohio, that engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity across 11 states, serving over 5 million customers. The company operates through various segments, including Vertically Integrated Utilities and Transmission and Distribution Utilities. American Electric Power generates electricity from a diverse mix of sources, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable energy such as wind and solar. It also supplies wholesale electricity to other utilities, rural cooperatives, and municipalities. In addition to its core electric services, the company maintains a substantial infrastructure, including railcars and barges for coal transport, and actively invests in renewable energy initiatives to enhance its energy portfolio and minimize environmental impact. Founded in 1906, American Electric Power emphasizes reliability and sustainability in its operations and community engagement.

Lima One Capital is a Greenville, South Carolina-based specialty real estate finance company that provides equity-based and private lending to real estate investors. It offers a range of loans, including real estate investment loans, new construction loans, multifamily loans, and rental property loans, to support purchases, renovations, and cash-out refinances. The firm serves investors in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, helping clients finance acquisitions, improvements, and neighborhood stabilization.

TechFarms is a consulting firm that offers hybrid outsourcing, staff augmentation, product development, and mail services. It also operates a venture capital arm, TechFarms Capital, which makes early-stage and seed investments in technology startups, with a focus on Intelligent Systems and Cybersecurity in the Southeast United States, and is based in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Founded in 2017, IAG Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. It invests in seed to series C rounds across various stages and structures.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough is a full-service law firm headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1897, it provides legal services across banking and financial services, bankruptcy and restructuring, corporate and securities, cybersecurity and privacy, economic development, higher education, governance, employment and labor, energy, environmental, estate planning, intellectual property, litigation, real estate capital markets, government investigations, healthcare and insurance. The firm serves clients in sectors such as banking and financial services, business services, construction and consumer products.

Founded in 2014, Clover Health is a healthcare company specializing in Medicare Advantage plans for seniors. It operates a Preferred Provider Organization platform that uses analytics and care management to improve member health and reduce avoidable spending.

Founded in 2017, Soteria specializes in enhancing lithium-ion battery safety through its proprietary technology that acts as an internal fuse, preventing ignition events. Its mission is to make inherently safe batteries widely accessible, benefiting various industries such as electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and power tools.

Farmland Partners is a real estate company that owns and acquires high-quality farmland across North America. Its portfolio spans over 152,000 acres in multiple states, primarily used for growing primary crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. The company generates revenue through rental income from its tenants.

Truliant Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, established in 1952. It serves over 200,000 members through 31 Member Financial Centers located in the Carolinas and Virginia. Truliant offers a range of financial services, including personal and corporate banking tailored to small and middle-market companies. The credit union caters to various industries, such as leisure facilities, real estate, and media services, emphasizing its commitment to supporting the financial needs of its member-owners.

Spectrum is a cable telecommunications company that provides a diverse array of home entertainment and information services. Its offerings include video on-demand, digital video recording, high-speed internet access, and various communication tools, as well as home automation and monitoring services. In addition to residential services, Spectrum also caters to business clients with data and network services, video programming, and music services. Established in 1989 and headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, Spectrum operates in multiple regions, including New York State, the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Southern California, and Texas. The company has grown to serve approximately 15 million customers.

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.

Founded in 1925, Carl Marks is a diversified investment holding company operating through subsidiaries focused on advisory services, distressed investments, real estate, private equity, and investment management. Headquartered in New York City with additional offices across the United States, the firm serves clients across various industries including software, media, energy, retail, textiles, and manufacturing.

Wilmington Investor Network is a venture capital firm based in Wilmington, North Carolina, founded in 2004. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the technology, biotechnology, and medical device sectors. It primarily focuses on businesses located in eastern North and South Carolina, aiming to support local innovation and growth. Wilmington Investor Network typically invests between $0.2 million and $0.5 million in individual investment rounds, leveraging the collective resources and expertise of its network of angel investors to foster the development of promising startups in its target industries.

Founded in 2017, Route 2 Capital Partners is a private equity firm specializing in acquisitions and growth capital for lower middle market companies. Based primarily in the southern United States, they invest between $3 million to $5 million in businesses with EBITDA of $2 million to $10 million and annual revenues of at least $10 million. The firm focuses on sectors such as business services, healthcare services, niche manufacturing, and specialty distributions.

SixAxis, LLC is a manufacturer of safety products focused on enhancing worker safety and productivity across various industries. The company produces mobile work platforms, loading platforms, and gangways designed for truck, railcar, and industrial safety applications, marketed under its ErectaStep, RollaStep, and YellowGate brands. Additionally, SixAxis develops sales resource planning software under the Atlatl Software brand. By specializing in innovative designs for stairs, fall protection, and bulk loading solutions, SixAxis aims to mitigate workplace injuries while promoting operational efficiency. The company is headquartered in Andrews, South Carolina, and was co-founded by Rob Honeycutt and Fred Harmon.

Founded in 2011, Liberty Hall Capital Partners is a private equity firm specializing in investments within the global aerospace and defense industry. The firm targets businesses serving various segments of this sector, including suppliers, aircraft financiers, maintenance providers, and other service companies. Liberty Hall seeks to make strategic investments globally, typically taking control or minority positions with an equity capital commitment exceeding $20 million.

Synovus Financial is a Columbus, Georgia-based financial services company serving as the bank holding company for Synovus Bank. It operates through three segments, Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Financial Management Services, and offers a broad range of financial products and services including commercial and retail banking, treasury and payment solutions, asset management, trust and estate services, investment banking and brokerage, wealth management, private banking, and international banking. The company provides mortgage and consumer lending, deposits, card services, and digital banking, supported by a network of branches and ATMs across several southeastern states. It also delivers capital markets and advisory services, fiduciary solutions, and cash flow management for businesses, aligning financial capabilities with the needs of individuals and institutions it serves.

Parkland is an independent supplier and marketer of fuel and petroleum products, operating primarily in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, the company offers a range of refined fuels, lubricants, and related products to motorists, businesses, and wholesale customers. Its operations include a retail network of over 1,070 gas stations in Canada, as well as commercial fuel services that provide bulk fuel, propane, and heating oil. Parkland also manages fuel supply through strategic contracts and partnerships with refiners, utilizing various distribution methods and storage facilities. The company emphasizes providing locally relevant fuel brands and convenience store offerings tailored to the communities it serves.

YETI Coolers, LLC specializes in manufacturing and marketing high-quality portable coolers and outdoor products designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Founded in 2006 and based in Austin, Texas, the company offers a diverse range of products, including hard and soft coolers, drinkware, bags, chairs, and apparel, as well as customized items featuring collegiate and corporate logos. YETI's products are tailored for various outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, camping, and tailgating. The company serves customers through its retail store in Texas, a network of dealers across the United States and internationally, and an online platform. YETI Coolers has manufacturing facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Carolina, along with locations in the Philippines and China. Known for their durability and performance, YETI products are built to withstand rugged conditions and keep ice for extended periods, catering to the needs of outdoor adventurers.

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

Basware is a cloud‑based procure‑to‑pay and e‑invoicing platform that delivers full spend visibility and automated invoice lifecycle management. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina, the company offers touchless invoice processing, smart coding, e‑procurement and e‑invoice services that enable global enterprises to streamline labor‑intensive invoice workflows, improve compliance, reduce operational costs and mitigate financial risk.

Park Sterling Bank was a commercial bank based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provided personal and business banking solutions tailored to customers' goals, offering a range of products and services to support business success. The bank served customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and northern Georgia. Park Sterling Bank was acquired by South State Corporation.

Novolex Holdings is a leading manufacturer of paper and plastic packaging products in North America, catering to a diverse range of sectors including retail, grocery, food service, hospitality, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina, the company supports sustainability through its offerings of renewable, recyclable, and bio-based packaging solutions. Its product portfolio includes compostable can liners, grease-resistant clamshell containers, shopping bags, and food trays, among others. With approximately 7,300 employees and 46 manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands, Novolex is committed to delivering innovative packaging solutions while prioritizing environmental responsibility. The company operates several well-known brands, including Hilex Poly, Duro Bag, and Bagcraft, which contribute to its strong presence in the packaging industry.

Ameris Bank is a commercial bank and financial services provider based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1971, it offers full-service banking and mortgage services to individuals and small to mid-sized businesses, with locations across Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The institution maintains nearly $7 billion in assets and serves a diversified client base, including sectors such as insurance, software, retail, chemicals, healthcare, energy, and transportation. Its service lines cover mortgage and refinancing, treasury support, and various investment and savings options, complemented by commercial and business banking for middle-market companies. The bank emphasizes growth and profitability through a broad geographic footprint and a range of financial products for both individuals and businesses.

SouthStar Capital, LLC is a financial services company based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, specializing in alternative lending products. Founded in 2008, the company provides custom financing solutions aimed at addressing the cash flow challenges faced by businesses across various industries. Its offerings include accounts receivable financing, asset-based lending, equipment leasing, purchase order financing, government contract financing, and invoice factoring. SouthStar Capital serves a diverse clientele, including sectors such as apparel, electronics, clean technology, food and beverage distribution, manufacturing, and professional services. In September 2011, the company changed its name from HomeCoast Capital, reflecting its broader focus on providing tailored financial solutions for businesses in the United States.

HealthCor is an investment management firm focused on healthcare and life sciences. It provides investment management, accounting and advisory services to healthcare-focused clients, including investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, sovereign wealth funds and foreign official institutions. The firm allocates capital across global public equity markets and selectively targets growth opportunities in healthcare and life sciences through private equity investments. HealthCor combines bottom-up fundamental analysis with top-down strategies and supplements in-house research with external research resources. Founded in 2005, HealthCor is headquartered in New York City with additional offices in London and Norwalk, reflecting an international footprint.

WideOpenWest, operating as WOW!, is a broadband services provider that caters to residential, business, and wholesale customers across the Midwest and Southeast United States. Founded in 1996, the company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including high-speed internet, data, voice, cloud, and cable television. WOW! serves approximately 3.2 million home and business customers, providing them with advanced technologies such as digital cable, HDTV, DVRs, and fiber-based services. The company is committed to delivering quality, affordable services and maintaining a customer-centric culture, as reflected in its five core values. WOW! is privately owned by Avista Capital Partners and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Altriarch, established in 2021, is a specialized investment platform headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. It focuses on alternative investments, targeting specific market niches to deliver robust risk-adjusted returns.

Founded in 2019, Healthcare Venture Partners is a venture capital firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. It focuses on investing in healthcare, digital health, health technology, information technology, and life science sectors.

RedSail Technologies, LLC is a software solutions provider specializing in healthcare and governmental applications, primarily serving the pharmaceutical and public sectors across North America. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the company develops products such as QS/1, a retail pharmacy management system, and PUBLIQ Software, which offers property tax management, billing, and accounting solutions for state and local governments. RedSail Technologies aims to enhance the operational efficiency of independent and institutional pharmaceutical firms while supporting public sector customers in improving community health outcomes.