2024 Dealmakers of the Year Honorees

SOCIAL IMPACT

LINDSEY COX
CEO
Launch Tennessee   

A 501c3 nonprofit partnership building a network of support for every startup and investor in Tennessee.

• Launch Tennessee's new $70-million equity investment fund, InvestTN, makes pre-seed, seed, series A and B investments into Tennessee-located startups and venture capital funds.
• Since 2012, LaunchTN has been making direct investments into Tennessee-located companies across all of the state's 95 counties.
• The organization is committed to expanding access to capital for Tennessee's growing community of startups.

 

Chris Ferrell
CEO & Co-Founder
Endeavor Business Media                              

Endeavor Business Media is a business-to-business media company that provides integrated advertising, targeted marketing solutions, customized data, research and content, and live and virtual events to a diversified set of customers and industries across the US.

• Since being formed in 2017, EBM has grown mostly via acquisition, especially pre-COVID, and now has more than 700 employees and more than 8,000 clients
• The company has completed 25 acquisitions in total since inception and, with the effects of the pandemic beginning to wane on their business and live events returning, the company became a very active acquirer since 2022
• The company has had to access the capital markets to fund its M&A activity and currently counts a Nashville based SBIC as its primary investor, Resolute Capital Partners

  

TARA FUNG
CEO & Co-Founder

JOSH ROSENBLATT
Co-Founder & COO
Co:Create     

Co:Create Ink is revolutionizing the tattoo industry by marrying one of the oldest art forms with cutting-edge web3 technology. The curated platform brings the artistry of tattoos into the digital age – collectors receive priority booking with the world's most coveted artists and obtain digital certificates of authenticity for the pieces they own. Blending tradition with technology, Co:Create Ink not only preserves the art's legacy but also opens new avenues for monetization and personal expression, ensuring each piece tells a story that lasts beyond time and skin.

• Raised $25M in our oversubscribed seed round in April of 2022.
• A16z was the lead investor with Chris Dixon as the partner on the deal. After securing the lead investor, a key focus for Tara Fung in determining allocations and round participation was ensuring diversity on our cap table.
• Among other investors, they are honored to have women & BIPoC led funds including Rarebreed Ventures, Rogue Women's Fund, Muse Capital, SH Fund, and Basis Set Ventures as investors

 

SOCIAL IMPACT

DANIELLE MCGEE GIBSON
CEO & Founder
Black Business Boom

Operator of a social enterprise that offers a range of programs, tailored coaching, and numerous resources, all designed to support the growth, expansion, and access to capital for small Black-owned businesses. The company's initiatives are strengthened by partnerships with government agencies, financial bodies, and organizations focused on business assistance.

• Collaborations with CDFIs, Business Support Organizations, Financial Institutions, and Corporations are founded on a shared commitment to champion economic growth for Black entrepreneurs, creating relationships that drive impact and prosperity.
• Growing an education/communication tech platform

 

RAY GUZMAN
CEO
SwitchPoint Ventures

An AI venture studio that helps healthcare companies harness the power of data and technology. The firm identifies high-impact targets for innovation and creates custom AI solutions to support smarter, more profitable business decisions.

• In 2023, SwitchPoint sold two AI startups – Winnow and Polaris – to a multi-billion-dollar strategic buyer.

 

Hunter Hillenmeyer
Nashville Investing Partner
Company Ventures

Company Ventures is a venture capital investment firm based in New York City. The firm is an early stage investor in companies operating in digital health, financial technology, and business software sectors.

• Raised a $50M Fund II for Company Ventures in 2023. 
• Currently an investor in three Nashville-based businesses, Alto, MoneyKit, and Unity AI

 

CHAITANYA HIREMATH
Serial Entrepreneur and Investor
Scanta Inc.   

Developer of a cybersecurity platform designed to help businesses to protect their virtual assistant chatbots from machine learning attacks

• Worked in the early team at Oculus before it acquired by Facebook
• His next start-up backed Accent Capital Group, sold all assets to Unity Technologies and went public on NYSE in September, 2020
• Last couple of years , he has been an active investor and operator in the AI space, working and advising prominent  PE and VC Funds 

 

SHALIN TEJANI
CEO
Legacy Dental Group

A locally owned and managed family of dental practices with our primary focus on providing exceptional patient care and employee support, with a mission to deliver the highest quality dental services while fostering a community-minded approach that values the personal touch and long-lasting relationships.

• Legacy Dental Group, a dental service organization, most recently acquired Lookout Valley Dental in December, 2023.
• This was LDG's fifth acquisition with a sixth practice currently under contract.

 

IAN VILLA
COO & Co-founder
Whisper Aero Inc.

Whisper Aero delivers cleaner, quieter, more efficient propulsion for drones, aircraft, and more. By harnessing the power of air through their proprietary electric ducted fans, they are helping to build a future that’s as considerate as it is compelling. 

• Raised $41.4 million of Series A venture funding from FootPrint Coalition Ventures, Cosmo Ventures and Linse Capital on July 12, 2023, putting the company's pre-money valuation at $60 million.
• The round was led by Menlo Ventures, EVE Atlas, Capricorn Investment Group, Connor Capital with participation from Kindred Ventures, Abstract Ventures, Moving Capital, AeroX Ventures, Cosmos Ventures, Linse Capital, and LaunchTN.