The Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year Awards recognize exceptional individuals who are shaping the landscape of business and innovation in Minneapolis.
In addition, The Minneapolis Dealmakers Hall of Fame recognized a class of dealmakers that has made an often-groundbreaking impact on their organizations, industries and the region over the course of decades in business.
We celebrated the accomplishments of the 2024 class of winners on October 30 at the Minneapolis Smart Business Dealmakers Conference. Together, they provide a strong picture of the Minneapolis business community.
Dealmaker Of The Year Honorees
Katie Dorn co-founded EmpowerU, a tech-enabled platform offering mental health and resilience programs to students through personalized content and coaching. On September 13, 2023, EmpowerU was acquired by FullBloom, backed by American Securities through a leveraged buyout. The acquisition aligns with FullBloom’s strategy to enhance its student support services nationwide, integrating EmpowerU’s data-driven platform to address mental health needs in schools. Before the acquisition, Katie secured venture funding to expand EmpowerU's offerings, reflecting strong market demand for mental health solutions. Katie’s leadership as a licensed counselor has been pivotal in scaling the platform to serve thousands of students, making it a valuable addition to FullBloom's portfolio.
Danny Fox and Tim Kuehl from Norwest Equity Partners (NEP), alongside Robert Marko, President & CEO of Bailiwick Services, played key roles in guiding Bailiwick through its acquisition by ePlus Technology on August 19, 2024. Under NEP’s guidance, Bailiwick expanded its IT integration services, focusing on AI, digital signage, and EV charging solutions for clients in retail, finance, and hospitality. Robert’s leadership positioned Bailiwick for the acquisition, making it an attractive partner for ePlus’s growth strategy. The acquisition strengthens ePlus's market presence, offering enhanced digital transformation capabilities and expanding their footprint across North America.
Susan Gohman, Meghan Otis, and Adam Pollet of Lightspring Capital Partners led the firm in making five strategic platform investments between September 2022 and 2024, focusing on scaling businesses in niche markets. Notable acquisitions include Devansoy, a plant-based protein producer, and The Great Lakes Potato Chip Company, a regional favorite. The team also invested in BedJet, a sleep technology company, and expanded into aerospace with AstreaX. Meghan and Susan structured the deals using equity and mezzanine capital, while Adam focused on sourcing and integrating acquisitions. Their commitment to backing diverse leadership has set Lightspring apart in the lower middle market.
Mary Grove leads Bread & Butter Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in digital health, food innovation, and enterprise SaaS. With a $27 million fund raised in 2023, Mary has focused on supporting U.S. startups, including Ducky, a generative AI startup, and Chiyo, a digital healthcare platform. Mary’s leadership has fostered diversity within the portfolio, with over 60% of investments directed toward women and underrepresented founders. Her strategic approach connects startups with Bread & Butter's Innovation Circle, a network of Fortune 500 companies that accelerates growth through partnerships.
Tom Mingo founded ArchStar Capital in early 2023, focusing on lower middle-market businesses in value-added distribution, manufacturing, and business services. Within 18 months, Tom led the acquisition of Tess Oral Health, a dental product manufacturer, and Attic Breeze, a solar-powered attic fan company. These investments align with ArchStar's focus on partnering with businesses with growth potential and strong market niches. Tom's experience as a former business owner has been instrumental in shaping ArchStar's investment approach, offering operational expertise and strategic resources to help portfolio companies thrive.
Mickayla Rosard and Reed Robinson of Groove Capital have played pivotal roles in supporting Minnesota’s startup ecosystem. Groove’s second venture fund raised $15.5 million in 2023, backing over 55 companies, including Agitated Solutions and Itiliti Health. Mickayla has expanded the firm’s angel network, engaging more women and underrepresented investors, while Reed has guided investment strategy with insights from his experience in the Twin Cities startup community. Their combined efforts have fostered a more inclusive ecosystem, providing vital early-stage capital and building partnerships to support high-growth startups.
Dealmakers Hall of Fame
Jenn Bonine has made her mark as a visionary leader and the first female CEO in the AI platform testing space. Throughout her career, she has driven innovation, co-founding four startups, securing venture funding, and achieving a successful exit to a major tech company. Her collaborations with industry giants like Microsoft, Google, Dell, HBO, Disney, Riot Games, and Epic Games have resulted in groundbreaking projects and valuable partnerships. Jenn also serves as a founding board member of the U.S. Expo EDU Committee, an Executive Board Member of the Avery Williamson Reach Foundation, and a Council Member of the Digital Economist. Today, she leads Valhalla Capital, a firm she founded to address funding inequities and empower underrepresented founders, particularly women, to build generational wealth. Valhalla Capital’s model provides accessible capital, enabling founders to retain control while scaling for impact.
Danny Cunagin is a visionary leader and Co-Founder of Invenshure, a venture studio based in Minneapolis and Budapest that transforms breakthrough ideas into successful ventures. He has co-founded seven companies and achieved three exits, notably shaping the healthcare and biotech sectors. As CEO of Steady State Imaging, Danny led the company to its 2011 acquisition by GE Healthcare, setting a standard for innovation in medical technology. Another success story is Imbio, an AI-driven imaging company that merged with 4DMedical to advance lung and cardiothoracic care. At Invenshure, Danny follows guiding principles—solving tough problems, advancing healthcare through technology, and empowering passionate teams—that ensure each venture is built on innovation with lasting impact. Currently, he is the CEO of MEKanistic Therapeutics, developing a dual inhibitor for cancer treatment. With $5 million in initial funding and plans to raise $30-40 million for Phase 1 trials, Danny’s leadership continues to drive both financial success and life-saving advancements.
John Stavig has been a transformative leader in Minnesota’s entrepreneurial ecosystem as the Managing Director of the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota. Since 2005, he has led initiatives that have empowered thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs and shaped the region’s startup landscape. Under his guidance, the Holmes Center has become a crucial resource, offering experiential learning and connecting students with seasoned mentors and industry leaders. John has been instrumental in the growth of the Minnesota Cup, the largest statewide startup competition in the U.S. Since its inception, the competition has supported over 25,000 entrepreneurs, awarded more than $2.5 million in cash prizes, and helped startups raise over $400 million. The Minnesota Cup’s inclusive focus has fostered opportunities for diverse founders, including clean tech, food and agriculture, and women entrepreneurs. Prior to joining the university, John built a career in management consulting, private equity, and tech investments, raising over $300 million.
Kathleen Tune is a visionary leader in healthcare investment, serving as Managing Partner at Capita3 Ventures, a firm focused on empowering women innovators in Deep Tech and Digital Health. With over 25 years of experience, Kathleen is known for her strategic insights in venture capital, growth equity, and corporate strategy. She co-founded Marani Health, where she serves as Board Chair, advancing technology to improve maternal and infant health. Kathleen also chairs Visura Technologies and Electromed, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELMD), guiding their growth and innovation. Throughout her career, she has led high-impact investments in medical devices, diagnostics, and connected health, previously overseeing portfolio investments at Thomas, McNerney & Partners and working as a healthcare analyst at Piper Jaffray. Her expertise spans M&A, business development, and strategic growth, making her an influential force in the healthcare industry. Kathleen’s leadership and advisory roles have driven transformative progress across the sector.
