The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

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

The 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.

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.

Founded in 2012, LiveOak Venture Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas. It focuses on technology and technology-driven services across Texas, typically investing at the seed stage and providing full lifecycle support.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is an insurance company headquartered in Richardson, Texas, that has been in operation since 1929. It specializes in providing health insurance services, along with property and casualty insurance products. As a subsidiary of the Health Care Service Corporation, BCBSTX is committed to delivering financially sound healthcare coverage to its members, focusing on the well-being and health needs of individuals and families across Texas. The company is dedicated to adapting its offerings to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare landscape.

Silverton Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2006 by Bill Wood and Morgan Flager, the firm provides capital and mentorship to technology startups across the United States, leveraging an operating-focused investment team. It backs companies in software, internet, cloud services, enterprise software, and other technology sectors, with a focus on opportunities in the Texas region. It operates as a registered investment adviser, reflecting its formal approach to early-stage investing.

Founded in 2009, Capital Factory is a venture capital firm and accelerator based in Austin, Texas. It invests in seed-stage to later-stage companies across software, media, and technology sectors, providing resources, mentorship, and coworking space.

Advantage Capital Partners is a United States‑based venture capital firm that provides growth equity, debt, and mezzanine financing to small and mid‑market companies, with a focus on underserved communities and state and local economic development. The firm invests across sectors including manufacturing, technology, business services, life sciences, and energy, and also supports real estate development projects with equity and debt. It typically makes initial investments ranging roughly from half a million to ten million in companies with modest sales, and may participate in larger follow‑on rounds or co‑invest with other firms. It uses senior debt, mezzanine debt, subordinated loans, and government‑guaranteed lending, and often pursues equity positions through preferred shares or convertible notes. Advantage Capital operates nationwide in the United States, with roots in New Orleans and offices in multiple states, and has backed thousands of jobs and housing projects as part of its mission to expand inclusive economic growth.

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

Founded in 2007, S3 Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas. It specializes in Series A to C investments, focusing on information technology, medical devices, enterprise software, SaaS, marketing, financial services, and sales sectors. The firm primarily invests in the Southwestern United States, with a focus on Texas and Austin. S3 Ventures typically considers equity transactions of $10 million to $20 million, aiming for exits through acquisition or IPO.

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.

Alumni Ventures Group is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with offices across North America. It provides access to venture investing for individual accredited investors, particularly alumni networks, by offering diversified portfolios of venture opportunities and allowing members to invest alongside fellow alumni in ventures led by peers. The firm backs early-stage and later-stage opportunities across technology, consumer, healthcare, financial services, and other sectors, with a sector- and geography-agnostic approach. It typically invests between $10,000 and $3 million per deal and emphasizes the involvement of alumni connections and an institutional lead investor in opportunities. Alumni Ventures also offers focused funds to broaden participation, enabling accredited investors to access venture portfolios diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. The model aims to democratize access to venture capital while maintaining rigorous selection standards through alumni networks.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a leading biomedical research facility in the United States, operating under the Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1887 and based in Bethesda, Maryland, NIH is the primary agency responsible for biomedical and health-related research in the country. It comprises 27 separate institutes and centers, each focusing on different disciplines within biomedical science. NIH conducts its own scientific research through the Intramural Research Program and provides significant funding for research at external institutions via the Extramural Research Program. With a workforce that includes 1,200 principal investigators and over 4,000 postdoctoral fellows, NIH has been instrumental in major medical breakthroughs, such as the development of vaccines for hepatitis and human papillomavirus, as well as the discovery of treatments for various health conditions. As the world's largest source of medical research funding, NIH continues to advance scientific knowledge and contribute to public health improvements.

Next Coast Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2015. It backs early-stage technology companies, with a focus on Texas but pursuing selected opportunities in larger markets. The firm concentrates on information technology and related sectors such as retail, healthcare and e-commerce, providing early capital and hands-on company-building support. It leverages a strong industry network and a venture partner program to help portfolio companies scale, guided by macro trends and founders’ experience to identify attractive opportunities. Next Coast Ventures aims to back bold entrepreneurs building scalable businesses in large markets.

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas is a state agency established in 2007 and headquartered in Austin, Texas. Its primary mission is to invest in cancer prevention and academic research to accelerate innovation in the field and enhance access to evidence-based prevention programs. The institute awards grants for a broad range of cancer-related research and for the implementation of cancer prevention services by both public and private organizations within Texas. All research funded by the institute is conducted by Texas-based scientists, aligning with its goal of expanding the state’s research capabilities and fostering the creation of high-quality jobs.

Moonshots Capital is a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas. It makes seed-stage investments in technology startups led by founders who are building products that re-imagine work and personal life in large and growing markets. The firm uses a disciplined investment process to identify companies with moonshot potential. It focuses on dual-use technology, fintech, consumer Internet, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Moonshots Capital is a registered investment adviser and supports portfolio companies through early growth to scale.

Corsa Ventures, established in 2011, is an Austin, Texas-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments. The company focuses on opportunities in Texas and the Southwest, investing in U.S.-based technology startups that leverage cloud, big data, mobile, and social technologies to disrupt traditional business models. Corsa's team brings deep operational experience and global networks, having led businesses from startup to Fortune 50 level.

Austin Ventures, founded in 1979 and based in Austin, Texas, is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage and mid-market technology companies. It invests primarily in the United States with a focus on Texas, particularly the Austin area.

SoftBank Robotics Europe, formerly Aldebaran Robotics, designs and manufactures humanoid robots for education, research, health, distribution, tourism, business applications, and home use. The company serves customers worldwide and focuses on interactive robotics that assist professionals and individuals. Founded in 2005, it is based in Paris, France, with additional offices in France, Japan, the United States, and China, and operates as a subsidiary of SoftBank Group.

Florida Funders is a Florida-focused venture capital firm and angel investor syndicate headquartered in Tampa. Founded in 2013, it concentrates on early-stage investments from Seed to Series A, primarily in technology and Florida-based ventures across industries such as B2B software, healthcare IT, edtech, and fintech. The organization blends equity crowdfunding, angel investing, and traditional venture capital to support its portfolio companies, aiming to co-lead and participate in follow-on rounds as needed. It operates a network of investors—over 1,500 members—who collaborate with portfolio companies to position them for growth. Florida Funders seeks to back entrepreneurs building scalable businesses within the Sunshine State, pairing capital with hands-on guidance to help startups reach milestones.

Goldman Sachs is a global financial services firm that provides investment banking, securities, and investment management services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals. It advises on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and other corporate actions; underwrites public offerings and debt; and helps clients raise capital through various markets. The firm engages in market making and client execution across fixed income, currencies, commodities, and equities, and offers securities services including financing and lending to institutional clients. Its asset management and wealth advisory businesses manage assets and provide investment solutions for a broad client base, including institutions and individuals. Headquartered in New York, the company serves clients worldwide and operates across multiple business lines to support capital formation, risk management, and investment activities.

Founded in 2005, Mercury Fund is a Houston-based venture capital firm with an additional office in Ann Arbor. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in technology-related companies across the United States midcontinent.

Rock Hill Capital, established in 2007 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a private equity firm specializing in investments in small to lower middle market companies. It focuses on industrial products and services, energy services, business services, and value-added distribution sectors, primarily in the Southern United States. The firm seeks companies with an enterprise value of less than $75 million, EBITDA between $2 million and $15 million, and revenue between $10 million and $200 million. Rock Hill Capital typically makes majority and control investments, working actively with management to grow and improve operating results, and achieve long-term value appreciation. It does not consider operational or management turnarounds.

ATX Venture Partners is a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2014. It backs early-stage technology companies in the United States, with a focus on Seed and Series A rounds. The firm targets B2B software, cloud technologies, APIs, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and related areas such as supply chain tech, insurtech, fintech, human resources technology, big data, advanced manufacturing, and marketplaces. It also considers opportunities in adjacent sectors and may participate in investments outside traditional early-stage fund structures. Through its differentiated portfolio approach, ATX Venture Partners supports companies that aim to disrupt industries and scale with software and digital platforms.

Patriot Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm focusing on growth capital, mezzanine, mature and late-stage investments in middle-market companies, with activity in industry consolidation, turnarounds, acquisition financings, leverage and management buyouts, and balance sheet recapitalizations. It targets business and consumer services, consumer products, niche manufacturing and distribution, education, e-commerce, application software, transportation, and telecom services. The firm typically invests in companies with annual revenues between roughly $10 million and $200 million and enterprise value between $15 million and $100 million, often in the Mid-Atlantic region led by Baltimore, with additional activity in the Midwest and the South. Typical investment sizes range from $1 million to $20 million, and capital structures may include debt, minority or majority equity, unitranche and mezzanine financing as well as senior and convertible debt and preferred equity. Patriot Capital was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Baltimore, with offices in Chicago and Dallas.

Right Side Capital Management is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage, pre-seed technology startups in underserved segments of the ecosystem. It invests in a high-volume, capital-efficient portfolio, typically funding rounds of 50,000 to 500,000 and making roughly 75 to 100 investments per year. The firm targets opportunities across the United States and internationally, including Canada, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe, prioritizing companies with scalable products and prudent capital use outside major metro hubs. Since its inception, it has built a broad portfolio across many states. It commits to a fast decision process, often delivering a yes or no within two weeks to help founders establish momentum.

New Enterprise Associates is a venture capital firm founded in 1977 and based in Menlo Park, California, with offices in the United States, India and China. It makes investments across technology and healthcare startups at multiple stages, from seed to growth, including software, cloud, data, internet services, fintech, AI, e-commerce, and enterprise technology, as well as healthcare information technology, life sciences, medical devices, and biopharma. It also considers energy technology and infrastructure opportunities, such as solar, batteries and smart grids. The firm pursues a global approach, with activity in the United States, Asia and other regions, and supports companies through rounds of financing ranging from small to sizable investments as they scale. NEA focuses on building portfolios in software, IT services, consumer technology, and healthcare technology, backing ambitious entrepreneurs across sectors and geographies.

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

Mercury is a purpose-built early-stage venture capital platform dedicated to supporting transformative software startups in communities across America, particularly in Middle America. The company identifies and partners with exceptional founders, offering both guidance to new entrepreneurs and resources to experienced innovators. With a focus on operationally-driven investment strategies, Mercury has generated over $9 billion in value, facilitating rapid and sustainable growth for its portfolio companies. Through its comprehensive growth partner network, Mercury aims to leverage local assets and talent, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation within the regions it serves.

Founded in 2017, SeedFunders is a venture capital firm specializing in pre-seed and early-stage investments. Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, they focus on investing in technology startups across various sectors throughout the state.

TEDCO is an independent organization established in 1998 and located in Columbia, Maryland. It serves as the leading source of entrepreneurial business assistance and seed funding for the development of startup companies within Maryland's innovation economy. TEDCO focuses on early-stage companies across various sectors, including software, technology, energy equipment, life sciences, and oncology. Its mission is to foster innovation and economic growth in Maryland by supporting the growth of startups and enhancing the state's position in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Insight Partners is a global software investor that partners with growth-stage technology and software companies. The firm focuses on growth-stage software, internet, and data services, with emphasis on fintech, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, DevOps, and healthcare. Based in New York City with offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto, Insight Partners has backed more than 750 companies worldwide and has more than 55 portfolio companies that have achieved an IPO. As of 2022, the firm reports over $75 billion in assets under management. It seeks to fund and work closely with visionary executives, providing practical, hands-on software expertise to support growth from initial investment through to IPO.

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

Founders Fund is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that backs science and technology companies across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage. It pursues transformative technologies and follows a founder-friendly investment approach that provides substantial support with minimal interference. The firm invests in ventures solving difficult problems across sectors such as aerospace and transportation, artificial intelligence, advanced computing, energy, healthcare, biotechnology, cybersecurity, fintech, consumer internet, software, robotics, and related technology fields. It has backed notable companies early, including SpaceX, Palantir, and Facebook, reflecting a history of partnering with ambitious founders to scale breakthrough technologies.

The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm founded in 1988 and headquartered in New York. It makes both control and non-control investments in growing businesses valued up to US$400 million, seeking to partner with owners who wish to remain involved to help drive growth. The firm focuses on sectors such as business services, consumer brands, education and training, franchising, healthcare, software and information technology, and manufacturing. Riverside has completed hundreds of transactions and maintains an international portfolio of more than 80 companies across regions including the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Green Park & Golf Ventures is a Dallas-based venture capital firm providing early-stage, seed-stage and growth capital to healthcare and life sciences companies in the United States. It targets healthcare technology, medical devices, therapeutics, healthcare services and related manufacturing opportunities, with a focus on North Texas while pursuing opportunities nationwide. The firm supports portfolio companies with strategic guidance, capital and access to a broad professional network built from its leadership’s decades of healthcare experience. Led by experienced executives with a background in building and selling healthcare businesses, Green Park & Golf Ventures aims to help startups navigate development, regulatory and commercialization challenges and accelerate value creation.

The Houston Angel Network (HAN) is the oldest and most active angel network in Texas, recognized as a leading organization for early-stage investments in the United States. Since its establishment in 2001, HAN members have collectively invested over $61.7 million across 198 deals, with notable activity in 2014 when they invested $15.3 million in 66 deals. The network comprises accredited individual investors who are committed to supporting emerging companies through both capital and mentorship. In addition to individual members, HAN includes institutional members such as seed funds, accelerators, universities, and other entities that contribute to the innovation ecosystem. As a non-profit association, HAN does not impose fees on entrepreneurs, relying instead on membership dues and sponsorships for its revenue.

NC IDEA is a nonprofit organization based in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 2005 to support entrepreneurs in starting and growing high-potential companies. It primarily focuses on providing early financing through competitive grants, particularly targeting young, innovative companies in sectors such as biotechnology, cleantech, healthcare information technology, and software. NC IDEA emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in its initiatives and works to serve as a catalyst for the development of technology-driven businesses in the region. In addition to financial support, the organization offers various programs and leverages a network of strategic partners to assist entrepreneurs during critical stages of their ventures.

TPG Growth is the growth equity and middle-market buyout arm of TPG, founded in 2007 to partner with companies at growth stages across the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It pursues a long-term, hands-on approach, helping portfolio companies from inception through international expansion by leveraging geography-specific experience and the operational resources of the TPG platform. The unit focuses on sectors such as media, technology, and industrials, and operates within the broader TPG framework, a global alternative asset manager that prioritizes innovation, technology, healthcare, and impact investing. TPG Growth manages more than $7 billion in assets and engages with companies through a growth expansion and scale strategy.

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.

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.

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.

leading global alternative asset manager

Founded in 2011, Geekdom is a collaborative startup community based in San Antonio, Texas. It empowers entrepreneurs by providing resources and opportunities to cultivate ideas into viable businesses.

Founded in 2010, McKinney Capital is a private equity firm based in Birmingham, Alabama. The firm specializes in control investments in field services and related companies across the Southern United States.

Founded in 2000, General Catalyst is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage and growth equity investments. It focuses on accelerating ideas, careers, and companies towards success by providing ongoing momentum and mentorship based on deep experience.

Postmates Inc. is an on-demand food and grocery delivery platform based in San Francisco, California. Founded in 2011, the company connects customers with local couriers to facilitate the delivery of products from a wide range of stores and restaurants across the United States. With access to over 600,000 merchants, including exclusive offerings, Postmates enables users to discover, order, and track groceries, alcohol, and meals with ease. The platform is particularly prominent in Los Angeles and covers 80% of U.S. households, serving customers in all 50 states. Additionally, Postmates offers a subscription service, Postmates Unlimited, which provides free delivery from all participating merchants, enhancing the convenience of its service.

MSouth Capital, founded in 2020 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in providing customized debt and minority equity financing solutions to lower middle market companies, primarily in the Southern United States. The firm supports management teams engaged in acquisitions, recapitalizations, generational transfers, and various corporate initiatives. With a focus on partnering with experienced management teams known for value creation, MSouth Capital aims to deliver resources that are often accessible only to larger firms. The company is a portfolio entity of MSouth Equity Partners IV, L.P., which is managed by MSouth Equity Partners, LLC, a private equity firm that has successfully raised significant capital across multiple funds.

Bain Capital is a Boston-based private, multi-asset investment firm that manages assets across private equity, public equity, credit, and venture capital. Founded in 1984, it operates multiple units that create value by supporting companies across sectors such as technology, healthcare, life sciences, financial services, consumer, and industrials, through growth equity, buyouts, early-stage venture capital, and other investment approaches.