Our investment approach emphasizes investing in companies to which we can add value. We seek to leverage our industry knowledge, network of industry and financial contacts, and internal resources to assist our portfolio companies in developing and executing their business strategy. Our bottom line is to help our companies achieve growth, build value, and realize wealth.

Generally, we serve as lead investor and are represented on the Board of Directors of our portfolio companies. However, our efforts on behalf of our companies extend well beyond the role of a director. In addition to providing strategic guidance and management counsel, we will role up our sleeves and take an active role to assist our companies. We have been successful introducing our portfolio companies to new customers and acquisition candidates, initiating corporate partnerships and strategic sales, recruiting executives and directors, and assisting in raising additional capital. On a few occasions we have even stepped in to perform operating roles during critical periods of need.

Our relationship with First Analysis also provides important benefits to us and our portfolio companies. Beyond access to additional capital for larger investments, this relationship provides us with industry expertise from a leading group of equity research analysts in several important market segments and additional sources of contacts and investment professionals to assist our companies in their development.

The benefits we provide include:

• Providing Strategic Direction and Management Counsel – We leverage our experience gained over 18 years making over 100 investments to offer valued guidance to refine sales, marketing, finance, and business development strategies.
• Originating New Business Opportunities – We have been directly responsible for introducing significant new customers, strategic acquisitions, and important corporate partners to our portfolio companies.
• Raising Additional Capital – Through our extensive network of contacts, we have arranged numerous follow-on equity and mezzanine financings, bank credit facilities, and initial public offerings.
• Developing Effective Human Resources Programs – We have significant experience designing compensation and equity incentive plans to attract and retain key employees. We also will play an active role assisting companies recruit important new hires or additions to the board of directors.
• Supporting Business Development Activities – When our portfolio companies do not have the in-house capabilities or resources, we will often take the lead role in negotiating, processing, and providing financial analysis in connection with raising additional capital or closing mergers or acquisitions.
• Initiating Liquidity Strategies – We have played a key role in achieving successful exits for many of our companies including initiating introductions to strategic buyers directly or working through investment banking firms to pursue public offerings or sale assignments.
• Assuming Direct Operating Roles - In a few cases, circumstances required that one of our professionals take an interim operating role in a portfolio company. Usually, this has involved serving as CFO or in a business development capacity, but has also included stints as acting CEO and Chairman.