2023 Dealmakers of the Year Honorees

Dan DiOrio​​​​
CEO
Thinc Forward

A technology and business advisory group that provides economic, and strategic business resources to create opportunities for clients to increase profitability, improve operational efficiency, and enhance overall business performance.

• Has acquired several companies over the last few years and is building towards another.
• Been on the Inc. 5000 list and Philadelphia’s 100 Forum
• Has grown from 8 employees in 2018 to 80 now with plans to be 100 this year.

 

 

Social Impact

Dave Silver
Co-Founder & CEO     

William Toms
Co-Founder & Visionary
REC Philly & REC Miami

Operators of the Members-only social club for creators - intended to provide resources, community and space for local artists in their pursuit to build careers from their passions. 

• The company raised $2 million of venture funding from Sean 'Diddy' Combs & Combs Global in March of 2022.
• Currently have 1,000+ active members in their 10,000 sq ft Creative Facility at 9th & Market
• Expanding to Miami with a 22,000 creative campus opening in Q1 2024
• Recently launched their tech platform REC(os) to give an enhanced digital membership experience to all current and future members around the globe

 

Clinton A. Lewis, Jr.
CEO
AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.

Creates agricultural technologies that preserve the quality and value of fresh produce and flowers. One such product is SmartFresh, which blocks the effects of ethylene and delays ripening while leaving no visible residue.

• The company was acquired by Paine Schwartz Partners through a public-to-private LBO on March 31, 2023.
• The transaction valued the outstanding common stock at $3.00/ share, a 91% premium over the Company’s share price at market close on October 26, 2022, immediately preceding the announcement.

 

Daniel Wagner
Vice President - Corporate Development
Magnolia River Services

Provider of infrastructure inspection, engineering, GIS, and technology solutions.

• Acquired Storti Quality Services, LLC ("SQS"). SQS provides gas service line inspection, gas leak detection, natural gas pipeline inspection, quality assurance, project management, and related consulting services for natural gas and electric utilities.
• The acquisition of SQS has expanded Magnolia River's geographic reach to the Northeast.
• Since the acquisition of Storti Quality Services by Magnolia River we’ve completed four additional acquisitions.

 

Kelly Stratton
Founder, President, & Chief Product Officer
Quire

Developer of cloud reporting software intended to enhance report writing and data collection capabilities

• Received an undisclosed amount of development capital from SSM Partners In December of 2022.
• Additional capital will enable the company to elevate its report writing platform by accelerating its investment in product innovations, customer service and market expansion.

 

Elizabeth Sigety
Executive & Managing Director and Co-Founder
Delaware Crossing Investor Group

Chair, National Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Practice
Fox Rothschild LLP

Delaware Crossing is a  network of former and current executives and entrepreneurs who provide counsel and capital to early-stage and growing companies.

• Has participated in over 20 rounds of investment in early-stage companies in the past 24 months.

 

Wayne Kimmel
Managing Partner
SeventySix Capital

A venture capital company that invests in passionate, smart, and nice entrepreneurs launching game-changing startups in sports betting, esports, and sports tech. SeventySix Capital's portfolio companies work with the top sports leagues, teams, sportsbook operators, and technology companies around the world.

• Recent sports industry exits: VSiN - The Sports Betting Media Network sold to DraftKings, Vigtory sold to FuboTV and C360 sold to Cosm
• Other successful investments: SeamlessWeb sold to Aramark and now public as GrubHub, Take Care Health Systems sold to Walgreens and became their healthcare clinics, and NutriSystem
• Also sold companies to IBM, Intel and Yahoo.

 

Lee Garber
General Partner
NewSpring

A private equity firm based in Radnor, PA that partners with high-performing, lower-middle market companies in a broad array of industries such as technology, healthcare, and business services.

• The Firm manages over $3B across five strategies, including NewSpring Holdings, a majority investment strategy focused on sector-specific platform builds. Recent deals include the acquisition of Bridge Core in July 2023 and the $590M exit of Avantus Federal in November 2022.