American Outdoor Brands is a United States based designer and manufacturer of a broad portfolio of outdoor products and accessories for hunting, fishing, camping, shooting, and personal security and defense. The company designs and markets shooting supplies, rests and vaults, premium knives and tools for fishing and hunting, land management tools, survival and camping gear, and electro-optical devices such as hunting optics, firearm aiming devices, flashlights, and laser grips, as well as reloading and gunsmithing supplies. Its products are distributed through e-commerce and traditional channels under multiple brand lines and the company maintains a portfolio of brands and patents reflecting a long history of innovation; it was incorporated in 2020 and is headquartered in Columbia, Missouri.

YL Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on cybersecurity and deep technology, investing from seed to growth in startups primarily in the United States and Israel. Based in Mill Valley, California, the firm provides hands-on support, strategic guidance, and access to a network of security executives and industry partners to accelerate portfolio companies. It backs early-stage to growth companies addressing areas such as software supply chain security, data loss prevention, cloud security, and identity governance, including AI-enabled approaches to security. The portfolio spans AI-native security, AI-powered SaaS security, and other advanced cybersecurity solutions. YL Ventures emphasizes domain expertise and active company building to help founders scale and pursue exits with strategic buyers.

Blumberg Capital is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that backs early-stage B2B technology companies, with a focus on AI-driven software and transformative technologies across sectors such as fintech, data analytics, cybersecurity, healthtech, and logistics. Founded in 1991, the firm pursues a hands-on approach, providing active board participation and advisory support to portfolio companies through their growth journey. It maintains a multi-city presence with offices in San Francisco, Tel Aviv and New York, collaborating with entrepreneurs from inception to scale and leveraging a global network of operators and investors to accelerate success.

M12 is Microsoft's corporate venture capital arm, founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, that invests in technology startups from seed to growth stages. The firm focuses on enterprise software, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, developer tools, vertical SaaS, Web3 and gaming, seeking to accelerate portfolio companies by providing access to Microsoft’s resources, technical guidance, and customer network. It maintains a global footprint with a focus on North America and Israel and has invested in more than 100 companies, including unicorns and IPOs. M12 also runs accelerator programs and collaborates with startups to support scaling and go-to-market efforts, aligning portfolio growth with Microsoft's strategic priorities.

Sapphire Ventures is a venture capital firm and growth equity investor focused on expansion-stage enterprise software and AI-enabled companies. It partners with management teams and venture funds to back companies of consequence, aiming to scale them toward category leadership. The firm operates a Portfolio Growth team that provides value-added services, tools, and resources to portfolio leaders as they scale. With a global footprint including offices in Austin, Palo Alto, London, and San Francisco, Sapphire manages multiple funds and more than $6.8 billion in assets under management across Sapphire Ventures, Sapphire Partners, and Sapphire Sport. Founded in 1996, it became independent in 2011 and rebranded as Sapphire Ventures in 2014.

Stadia Ventures is a Saint Louis, Missouri-based venture capital firm and sports- and esports-focused accelerator. Founded in 2015, it concentrates on startups in sports, esports, and related areas such as lifestyle and recreation, performance and wellness, fan engagement and experience, media and entertainment, esports, and sports betting. It operates a sports business accelerator that selects 4-6 startups twice a year, investing around 100,000 per company and guiding founders through a 14-week bootcamp with mentors and opportunities to connect with potential clients. Stadia Ventures has expanded its operations to Frisco, Texas, and has a portfolio of about 40 companies with several exits and ongoing fundraising by portfolio firms.

The Stephens Group is a private, family-led investment firm with more than 90 years of investing experience. It manages about $2 billion of active private investments and has completed over 200 deals, partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to build long-term value. The firm focuses on industrial products and services and vertical software, while pursuing opportunistic opportunities when there is a strong strategic fit. It invests across sizes in mid venture, leveraged buyouts, growth capital and mature investments, often taking majority or significant minority stakes and seeking board involvement. Senior investment and operating professionals work with Stephens family leadership to provide disciplined, flexible, and value-driven stewardship with committed capital. Headquartered in Little Rock, it maintains offices in Frankfurt, London and New York.

Forgepoint Capital is a global early-stage venture capital firm focused on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure software. It backs category-defining startups across cloud security, DevSecOps, insurtech, fintech, privacy and related fields, providing capital plus strategic guidance, resources, and connections to accelerate growth. The firm emphasizes a thesis-driven approach and leverages a Global Advisory Council of nearly 100 industry leaders to support portfolio companies. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with a London presence, Forgepoint Capital has over $1 billion in assets under management and maintains a multinational portfolio of cybersecurity, AI and infrastructure software companies.

Lunsford Capital is a private investment firm based in Louisville, Kentucky. Founded in 2000 and led by Bruce Lunsford, it pursues investments across healthcare, technology, entertainment, and real estate, providing strategic guidance to portfolio companies to support growth.

U.S. Venture Partners is a Menlo Park, California-based venture capital firm that backs early-stage technology and healthcare companies. With more than thirty years of operation, it helps entrepreneurs transform ideas into growth companies, focusing on enterprise software, IT security, consumer internet, mobile, e-commerce, and IT-enabled healthcare services. The firm targets startups in information technology and healthcare that can scale in the United States, and in some cases Israel, and it emphasizes collaboration with teams that include former entrepreneurs, technologists, executives, and industry experts. USVP invests in software, healthcare, cybersecurity, and related technology-enabled sectors, supporting portfolio companies through early development and scale-up.

Right Side Capital Management is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm founded in 2012 that targets early-stage, capital-efficient technology startups in the United States and Canada. The firm employs a data-driven, quantitative approach to investment decisions and aims for rapid yes-or-no conclusions, often within two weeks. Typical rounds encompass small checks in the low hundreds of thousands, with the potential for larger commitments in exceptional cases, and a portfolio-wide strategy that emphasizes diversification. Beyond capital, it provides hands-on mentorship in areas such as sales, marketing, and fundraising, leveraging a network of investors and seasoned operators to support portfolio companies after investment. The firm focuses on teams still refining product-market fit, including those outside traditional tech hubs, and seeks to help founders scale efficiently through structured operational support and transparent decision processes.

Meritech Capital Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 1999 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with operations in San Francisco. It specializes in late-stage investments in technology companies, with emphasis on software, information technology, communications and networking sectors in North America. The firm takes a hands-on approach to portfolio companies, helping them scale toward market leadership and build enduring brands through a disciplined strategy. Meritech offers benchmarking insights through its analytics platform, Meritech Analytics, and serves as a registered investment adviser. It manages multiple late-stage funds targeting substantial investments to support growth, reflecting a focus on technology-driven businesses at scale.

Kleiner Perkins is an American venture capital firm founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California. It specializes in early-stage, growth, and incubation investments, partnering with founders from inception to IPO and beyond. The firm backs entrepreneurs across a broad range of sectors, including technology, digital media, life sciences, healthcare, consumer products and services, software, cybersecurity, and infrastructure, providing strategic guidance and networks to help companies scale and create long-term value.

Starting Line is a Chicago-based venture capital firm that concentrates on early-stage investments in consumer-focused startups. It backs companies across the United States operating in consumer marketplaces, services and products, and software infrastructure, with an emphasis on democratizing access to technologies, products, and experiences for the 99% of Americans. The firm aims to support growth and scale for consumer-oriented businesses that address everyday needs.

Bridge Investments is a Chicago-based venture capital firm founded in 1998 that backs early- to mid-stage companies across consumer brands, software as a service, fintech, legal tech, and technology sectors. The firm emphasizes a disciplined, analytical approach and collaborates with management throughout the investment horizon to support growth and profitability. With experience across mature and venture-stage opportunities, Bridge Investments applies principles from established businesses to venture opportunities and vice versa, focusing on sectors where it has direct experience, including tech-enabled services, SaaS, and digitally native brands.

Soul Street Ventures is the venture capital arm of Soul Street Asset Management. It concentrates on early-stage investments in B2B technology, SaaS, and FinTech, offering strategic support and operational backing to portfolio companies to accelerate growth.

Great North Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Maple Grove, Minnesota, founded in 2017. Built by successful founders, it backs early-stage startups across the United States that apply breakthrough technologies to modernize industries still dominated by analog processes. The firm makes seed to Series B investments, offering guidance, capital, and connections to help portfolio companies scale. It seeks opportunities beyond Silicon Valley and prioritizes founders with proven execution. Core focus areas include vertical AI, embedded finance, fintech infrastructure, industry-specific automation, information technology, and real estate technology. Through multiple funds, it actively partners with startups to accelerate growth, with typical checks ranging from 0.25 to 0.75 million.

Comeback Capital is a Cleveland, Ohio-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in the American Heartland, particularly the Midwest, including startups outside established VC centers. It backs pre-seed and seed-stage companies and provides capital plus connections to advisors to help founders execute. The firm investments span technologies such as health tech, mobility, robotics, AI, IoT, and supply chain/logistics, reflecting a founder-centric approach aimed at nurturing growth and delivering outcomes. Though anchored in the Midwest, Comeback Capital engages with opportunities across the United States to support ambitious founders.

Gopher Angels is an angel investment network based in Minnesota, focused on funding startups across the Midwest and the United States. It engages accredited investors to back high-growth companies in sectors such as healthcare and health information technology, enterprise software and SaaS, medical devices, and agriculture technology. The network provides startups with capital, strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to a curated deal flow, along with due diligence support and valuable connections, helping portfolio companies scale. The organization emphasizes collaboration among investors and entrepreneurs to foster growth and long-term success in the startup ecosystem.

LiveOak Venture Partners is a Texas-based early-stage venture capital firm focused on technology and tech-enabled services, with operations in Austin and investments across Texas and North America. It acts as a full lifecycle investor, often engaging with portfolio companies from seed stage and supporting them through growth. The firm prioritizes software, information technology, and healthcare technology systems, building a diversified portfolio of technology companies through active collaboration with management to scale product development, go-to-market strategy, and operations.

YETI is a premium outdoor brand that designs, markets, and distributes rugged gear and accessories under the YETI brand. The company offers hard and soft coolers, drinkware, storage and transport products, outdoor living gear, apparel, and related accessories, including Rambler drinkware and Tundra and Roadie coolers. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, it sells through independent retailers such as outdoor specialty, hardware, sporting goods, and farm and ranch supply stores, as well as directly via its website. It operates in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Japan. The business emphasizes durability and performance for activities like fishing, hunting, camping, and tailgating, and positions itself with a Built for the Wild ethos.

Metavest Capital is a venture-capital and advisory firm focused on the metaverse, NFT gaming, and related blockchain ventures. Founded in 2022 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, it provides strategic partnerships and advisory services to play-to-earn projects, leveraging a network of blockchain experts with deep Web3 knowledge. The firm curates a portfolio of blockchain games, NFTs and related tokens and seeks opportunities across sectors such as blockchain technology, gaming, fintech, big data, e-commerce, mobile, SaaS, and augmented reality. It operates at the intersection of investment and consultancy, supporting partners with industry expertise to create value in Web3 gaming and metaverse initiatives.

BeHappy Investments is a Madrid-based venture capital firm focused on funding early- and growth-stage companies, with an emphasis on sustainable initiatives, rural modernization, and environmental stewardship. The organization is described as a group of senior executives and business leaders guiding a fund that seeks to balance financial returns with positive social impact. Its portfolio spans multiple sectors, including HuntY, a web platform for scheduling hunting jornadas; Velca, an electric urban mobility brand; Kibus, a device tailoring dog meals; SuperCADEMY, an AI-driven tutoring platform; Nina Woof, a line of pet foods and accessories; and Healthy Minds, a mental health solutions provider. A previous venture, HARBEST, connected restaurants with national-origin product suppliers through a centralized logistics platform. Based in Madrid, BeHappy Investments positions itself at the intersection of venture capital and sustainability, pursuing partnerships with entities aligned with responsible development.

Keyhorse Capital is a Lexington, Kentucky based venture capital firm that concentrates on seed and early-stage investments in technology-enabled startups across a broad range of sectors, with a focus on Kentucky-based opportunities. It supports entrepreneurs building B2B, energy, financial services, healthcare, information technology, life sciences, manufacturing, clean technology, and health technology companies, aiming to foster a thriving local innovation ecosystem. The firm follows a structured investment process that includes application, screening, due diligence, and investment committee review. It has invested over $100 million in Kentucky companies and has supported more than 600 funded ventures, contributing to substantial follow-on capital generation and job creation in the region.

Invexor Venture Partners is a Chile-based venture capital firm founded in 2015 and headquartered in Santiago. It funds innovative technology startups in Chile, investing from pre-seed to Series A stages, with emphasis on fast-growth technology companies in sectors such as biotechnology and artificial intelligence. The firm provides mentorship, strategic planning, and access to resources to portfolio companies, and prioritizes sustainable growth, profitability, and ESG factors. It collaborates with partners to expand opportunities within Chile and the United States.

Matrix Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 1977 that backs early‑stage to growth technology companies. Based in San Francisco with a global footprint, the firm invests across sectors such as software, B2B, AI, fintech, consumer, healthtech, infrastructure, and hardware, supporting companies from idea through Series A and beyond. Its approach combines hands‑on guidance from a team of former founders and operators who help with product strategy, go‑to‑market, and talent recruitment. Matrix maintains regional arms, including Matrix Partners China and Matrix Partners India, to partner with local entrepreneurs while pursuing cross‑border opportunities. The firm has a long track record of notable portfolio companies and exits, reflecting a focus on building enduring, scalable businesses through active collaboration with founders.

Morrison Seger Venture Capital Partners is a Dallas-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments across consumer packaged goods and software as a service. Established in 2022, the firm pursues a generalist approach to building a diversified portfolio and supports portfolio companies with experienced professionals dedicated to fostering growth and navigating challenges. It manages substantial capital and emphasizes independent counsel for investors while actively engaging with the broader venture ecosystem to share insights and connect stakeholders.

Gula Tech Adventures is a venture capital firm based in Ellicott City, Maryland, founded in 2017 by Ron and Cyndi Gula, veterans of the cybersecurity industry, including Tenable Network Security co-founder and CEO and operations leader. The firm invests in early-stage cybersecurity and national security technology companies, with emphasis on security engineering, cyber hygiene, threat management and web security. It supports portfolio companies with funding, product roadmaps guidance and capital-raising help, and promotes industry workforce development and inclusive cybersecurity practices through its initiatives. The founders' background in intrusion detection and scalable security operations informs the firm's hands-on approach and long-term collaboration with startups in the Maryland-DC region.

Ospraie Ag Science is a venture capital firm that concentrates on investments in the agriculture sector, targeting both public and private markets. Based in Rye, New York, the firm leverages an extensive network and commercial expertise to source and build ESG-compliant upstream agricultural companies with the goal of improving farmer profitability, yield and quality while reducing environmental impact. The firm emphasizes sustainable solutions across the agricultural value chain and pursues long-term value through strategic partnerships and sector-focused collaborations.

Serra Ventures is a Champaign, Illinois-based venture capital firm that backs early-stage technology companies across the United States, with a focus on AgTech, Fintech, and other disruptive technologies. The firm targets investments in information technology, deep tech, instrumentation, software-as-a-service, and device sectors, and maintains a presence in Chicago, San Diego, and Park City alongside its headquarters. Serra Ventures supports startups across the Midwest and West Coast, including companies leveraging artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainable technologies, and has funded more than 100 startups. The firm emphasizes long-term growth and strategic support to portfolio companies, aiming to help them scale from early stages toward commercial success.

Stage 1 Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Coconut Grove, Florida, focused on early-stage investing in disruptive deep tech and science companies with the potential to transform global industries. The firm provides capital and leverages its operating experience and extensive network to support portfolio companies, positioning itself as a bridge for ambitious entrepreneurs. Its investment process, known as SSVSS, guides startups from discovery through seeding, deployment, growth, and milestones, emphasizing execution and ongoing value creation. The firm aims to help portfolio companies reach liquidity within roughly three to five years through strategic guidance, resources, and selective co-investment opportunities.

Dozen Investments is a venture capital and private equity firm founded in 2011 and based in Barcelona, Spain. It focuses on investing in technology companies.

Everywhere Ventures is a New York based venture capital firm focused on pre-seed and early-stage startups worldwide. Founded in 2017, it operates as a community-powered platform that pools capital, mentorship, and strategic introductions through ten micro funds, backed largely by more than 500 founder and operator limited partners. The firm invests in early rounds across sectors including software, money, health, and work, providing hands-on support and practical guidance to founders from inception to traction. It emphasizes founder-led collaboration and peer learning, leveraging the experience of operators and entrepreneurs who have built successful companies to help the next generation of startups.

Zeal Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Washington, DC that partners with high-growth, early-stage tech-enabled companies led by exceptional management teams. The firm operates as a category-specific investment platform focused on the future of learning and work, financial technology, and healthcare, and provides strategic support across fundraising, product strategy, and scaling. It emphasizes a disciplined, data-informed investment process that prioritizes team quality, market attractiveness, product differentiation, and deal opportunity. Zeal targets startups modernizing financial systems, expanding equitable access to capital, and delivering AI-enabled tools for small and medium enterprises, and looks to build enduring partnerships with founders to drive inclusive economic growth.

Miami Angels is an angel network of accredited investors based in Miami, Florida. Founded in 2013, it focuses on early-stage technology companies in Florida, leveraging members' experience to identify, evaluate, and invest in high-quality, growth-oriented startups. The network has backed more than 60 companies and deployed over $36 million in funding, reflecting active participation across industries and a commitment to supporting startups with product-market fit and revenue generation. By collaborating to share insights and resources, Miami Angels aims to strengthen the Florida tech ecosystem and help innovative companies scale.

Roo Partners is a retained executive search firm that serves private equity–backed companies. It specializes in placing leaders who can drive growth and navigate pressure under private equity ownership. The firm emphasizes client alignment with outcomes, measures success by results, and builds long-term relationships with operators experienced in scaling at PE-backed businesses. Its process is senior-led and disciplined, supported by a proprietary network and technology to improve rigor, speed, and visibility. Roo Partners operates from offices in Florida and New York and serves industries including healthcare, life sciences, pharma, business services, manufacturing, and technology.

VITALIZE Venture Capital is a Chicago-based venture capital firm that targets early-stage investments in B2B software and WorkTech companies redefining the future of work. It focuses on pre-seed and seed opportunities across the United States, leveraging a deep network of experts and founders’ experience to provide strategic support beyond funding to its portfolio companies.

Hatcher+ is a global venture capital firm and technology platform that leverages data analytics and automation to support early-stage investing and fund management. The firm has built the VAAST (Venture-as-a-Service Technology) platform to help investors analyze deals, construct custom portfolios, manage tasks and teams, and process startup applications via a branded interface. It operates FAAST (Funds-As-a-Service Technology) for instant fund and special-purpose vehicle creation, automated KYC/AML onboarding, and cross-border IBAN generation. The company uses AI-driven tools, including the Hatcher Score, to screen opportunities, guide portfolio decisions, and automate due diligence, compliance, and portfolio management. With a global network for deal flow, it serves asset managers and fund sponsors seeking streamlined fund creation, investment analysis, and governance workflows, while offering scalable workspace tiers for GP operations and new funds. The firm emphasizes data-driven investing with a focus on artificial intelligence and software.

CIBC Innovation Banking is the North American banking arm of CIBC focused on supporting the growth of the innovation economy. It offers venture banking, growth banking, sponsor finance, and fund finance to technology, software, AI, healthcare, and life sciences companies from seed to IPO. Backed by CIBC and with over 25 years of experience, it has deployed roughly $12 billion in growth capital to more than 800 entrepreneurs and investors and serves millions of clients globally through a global team that emphasizes relationship-building and market insights.

Dogan is a Kyushu-based independent investment and advisory group dedicated to revitalizing regional economies. It operates a regional turnaround and succession fund anchored in Kyushu and the Setouchi region to provide hands-on investment and strategic support for mid-sized companies facing growth, succession, or restructuring. Its management consulting practice delivers solutions for Kyushu and Fukuoka-based firms, including growth creation and turnaround support, with practical, locally informed guidance. In M&A, the team brings extensive experience and negotiation strength to the Kyushu market to help clients achieve outcomes through professional advisory. The DX division collaborates with local technology companies to map digital strategies and support digital adoption and transformation for regional businesses. In addition, DOGAN Consulting connects an alliance network from SMEs to larger corporations to enhance corporate value through growth strategy, M&A, succession, and governance, while Q-Turn provides opportunities for Kyushu-based professionals considering relocation to the region. With deep regional knowledge and a strong network, the organization aims to unlock the latent potential of local companies and activate regional economies.

Samurai Incubate is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm and accelerator founded in 2009 that supports early-stage startups through investment and hands-on guidance. It focuses on information technology and software-as-a-service opportunities across Africa, Israel, and Japan, and engages in incubation, seed, startup, early-stage, and series A investments. The firm helps portfolio companies with management, marketing, sales, human resources, and financial strategy to drive growth and monetization. Its portfolio spans finance, insurance, logistics, healthcare, retail, e-commerce, energy, agriculture, transportation, mobility, entertainment, web, and mobile sectors. Samurai Incubate operates internationally with offices in Israel, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Shenzhen, enabling market insight and local partnerships. Typical checks range from several million to tens of millions of yen, reflecting a hands-on, founder-centric approach that emphasizes vision, execution, and long-term value creation.

Blu Venture Investors is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Virginia, that supports seed and early-stage technology companies. Founded in 2010, it invests across sectors including software, cybersecurity, information technology, SaaS, and related services, with emphasis on business-to-business and consumer-facing models, logistics, media, and educational services. The firm provides capital together with active mentorship and strategic guidance, aiming to help portfolio companies scale and reach growth milestones. Blu Venture typically engages in early rounds in the mid-Atlantic region, often taking board seats and leveraging its network to assist portfolio companies. It operates as an investment adviser focusing on hands-on partnerships with entrepreneurs.

SaaS Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focusing on enterprise technology, including AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise software. Founded in 2017, it pursues a founder-first partnership with a long-term horizon, investing from pre-seed through growth stages and often writing founder-friendly checks in the low to mid millions. The firm emphasizes value beyond capital, leveraging its network of co-investors and operators to help portfolio companies scale, and it supports rounds across North America, including non-core markets with meaningful exit potential. Its portfolio exceeds 150 companies across 35 states, with a unicorn among them, and it maintains a flexible, conviction-based approach that aims to accelerate product development and market leadership for enterprise software teams.

Next Frontier Capital is a Bozeman, Montana-based venture capital firm that partners with mission-driven entrepreneurs to build technology companies. The firm seeks to invest in early-stage technology companies across sectors including B2B software, cybersecurity, fintech, climate tech, AI, and defense tech, as well as biotechnology and healthcare technologies. It supports founders to sharpen strategy, accelerate growth and bring breakthrough technologies to market, and operates as a registered investment adviser.

Toba Capital is a venture capital and investment firm founded in 2012 and based in Los Angeles that backs technology companies with potential for long-term growth. The firm focuses on software as a service, IT infrastructure, information technology, climate technology, and climate and energy sectors, as well as business applications. With about $1.3 billion in assets under management, Toba Capital partners with exceptional founders, leveraging a team of experienced investors and operational leaders to drive growth and market disruption. The firm also pursues philanthropy, directing a portion of profits toward charitable causes.

Bossa Invest is a venture capital firm based in São Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2011. It focuses on software-as-a-service startups in Latin America, providing growth capital, mentorship, and access to a broad network of strategic partners and co-investors to help portfolio companies scale, and operates a corporate venture capital arm that collaborates with corporate partners through flexible operating models and end-to-end support.

Elevate Ventures nurtures and develops emerging and existing high-potential businesses into high-performing Indiana-based companies. It accomplishes this by providing rigorous business analysis and robust advisory services that connect companies with the resources they need to succeed long-term. As a not-for-profit organization, Elevate Ventures offers unbiased, in-depth perspective and recommendations. It seeks out ventures that identify a marketplace need and are well-positioned to transition from research to product development to market. The organization supports high-performing Indiana-based companies that grow local economies and employment while attracting and retaining top talent. Rigorous due diligence determines long-term financial viability, and robust advisory services extend beyond capital to partner with entrepreneurs, investors, and other local and state organizations to ensure the best return on investment. In addition to financial resources, Elevate Ventures helps address management, business development, talent identification and retention, and technology development challenges to sustain success over time. With a seasoned staff and proven outside partners, it provides objectivity and insight that are among the best in its profession.

Cisco is a global technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, software, security solutions, and collaboration tools. Its portfolio includes switches, routers, wireless systems, data center technologies, cloud management through Meraki, and AI-powered security products, along with Webex for unified communications and a software ecosystem spanning IoT, observability, and automation. The company serves enterprises, service providers, education, healthcare, and government, helping customers build, secure, and optimize digital networks, enable remote work, and accelerate digital transformation. Cisco emphasizes scalable, future-proof architectures, product bundles that deliver integrated capabilities, and services that support deployment, management, and ongoing optimization of modern IT environments. Through ongoing innovation across networking, security, and collaboration, Cisco aims to address evolving needs in a connected world.

Hiventures is a venture capital investment firm headquartered in Budapest, Hungary, focused on funding Hungarian startups across multiple sectors. It takes a patient, long-term approach, supporting portfolio companies from prototyping and market validation through subsequent financing rounds and exits. The firm emphasizes technology-driven ventures, including artificial intelligence, deeptech, medtech and greentech, and engages in co-investment partnerships. It maintains a dedicated investment team and actively contributes to the local ecosystem through events and partnerships, including initiatives to back domestic startups via EU-backed funds.

Render Capital is a venture capital firm based in Louisville, Kentucky, founded in 2023. It seeks to invest across healthcare, healthtech, supply chain and logistics, advanced manufacturing, e-commerce, consumer packaged goods, b2b software-as-a-service, and food and beverage sectors, focusing on opportunities in the Midwest and the South. The firm aims to strengthen the regional economy by providing risk capital to entrepreneurs and growth-stage startups in these regions, supporting innovation, job creation, and scalable business models.