The Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year Awards recognize exceptional individuals who are shaping the landscape of business and innovation in Detroit.
In addition, The Detroit 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 2025 class of winners on April 10 at the Detroit Smart Business Dealmakers Conference. Together, they provide a strong picture of the Detroit business community.
Dealmaker Of The Year Honorees
Ben Bernstein, Principal, Beringea. Ben played a key role in Beringea’s lead investment in InvestNext, a Detroit-based platform streamlining real estate investment management. The $15 million Series B round supports InvestNext’s mission to help GPs efficiently raise and manage capital amid growing regulatory demands. With over 1,600 GP clients, 70,000 global investors, and a 96 percent retention rate, InvestNext’s growth reflects both product strength and strategic vision.
David Esposito, CEO of ONL Therapeutics. David led ONL Therapeutics through a $65 million oversubscribed Series D financing in 2024, with participation from JJDC, Bios Partners, Novartis Venture Fund, and others. The capital will advance ONL’s promising clinical program targeting geographic atrophy in dry age-related macular degeneration. David’s leadership has positioned ONL at the forefront of innovation in retinal disease.
Kathleen Kaulins, Principal, Plymouth Growth. Since joining Plymouth Growth in 2023, Kathleen has been a force behind the firm’s deal activity. She led the investment in Medtelligent, co-led the exits of C2Dx and Above the Treeline, all while earning her doctorate in 2024. With a strong background in growth-stage software, Kathleen combines operator experience with investment insight to deliver value across the portfolio.
Dan Gilbert, Detroit Venture Partners. Since its founding by Dan Gilbert in 2010, Detroit Venture Partners has invested in high-impact startups like Gigpro and Highway9 Networks. Focused on companies where Detroit-based resources provide strategic leverage, the firm continues to drive innovation and growth across the region.
Gary Lewis, Founder and Managing Partner, Aquila Equity Partners. In October 2024, Aquila’s portfolio company Pinnacle MEP Holdings completed a majority recapitalization with Blue Point Capital Partners. Formed in 2020, Pinnacle completed 15 partnerships in just four years, becoming a regional leader in HVAC and plumbing services. Gary’s thoughtful approach to founder partnerships and legacy preservation has defined Aquila’s values.
Kevin McLeod, Founder and CEO, C2Dx. Kevin spearheaded a new partnership with Shore Capital Partners, followed by the acquisition of an ENT product family from Cook Medical. Since founding C2Dx in 2019, Kevin has built a leading medical device platform through strategic growth, acquisitions and top-tier talent recruitment. His vision continues to expand access to minimally invasive solutions in ENT care.
Dustin Sapp, CEO of Traction Ag, & Brook Critchfield and Michelle Erikson of Plymouth Growth. In 2024, Traction Ag raised $11 million in Series A funding, co-led by Plymouth Growth and Cooperative Ventures. Traction’s cloud-based platform connects farm financials to field operations, giving growers the tools to optimize decision-making and profitability. With backing from two of the largest farmer-owned co-ops, Traction Ag is poised to transform digital agriculture.
Social Impact Award Honorees
Alison Todak, Director of Platform at Plymouth Growth, and Kristina Oberly, Head of People at Signal Advisors — Co-Founders of Shine & Rise. Founded in 2019 with just 10 members, Shine & Rise has grown into a thriving community of more than 600 women professionals in Michigan’s tech ecosystem. Through curated events, co-working sessions and digital networking, Alison and Kristina are building inclusive spaces for connection, empowerment, and career growth across the region’s innovation economy. Their leadership has helped elevate voices often underrepresented in venture capital and startup leadership. Today, Shine & Rise serves as a model for building authentic, values-driven professional communities in emerging tech hubs.
Dan Weingartz, Chairman of the Board at International Samaritan. Through hands-on service and a personal $2.2 million donation, Dan Weingartz and his family are transforming the lives of people living in global garbage dump communities — some of the world’s most dangerous and impoverished environments. Their support of Ann Arbor–based International Samaritan is expanding education, health care and holistic aid to break the cycle of extreme poverty for vulnerable families. Dan’s leadership has also helped grow the organization’s capacity, enabling it to reach more than 18,000 people across five countries. His long-standing commitment to faith-driven service continues to inspire others to give back in meaningful, sustainable ways.
Hall of Fame Honorees
Mike Beauregard and Peter Mogk, Co-Founders of Huron Capital. Mike and Peter launched Huron Capital in 1999 and have since led more than 295 acquisitions, making it one of the most active private equity firms in the Midwest. Their focus on facility, infrastructure and residential services has created enduring value in essential industries across North America. With a balance of Midwestern grit and strategic sophistication, their leadership continues to shape Huron’s culture and long-term success. They’ve also helped develop the next generation of investment professionals through Huron’s strong internal talent pipeline. Their work has had a transformative impact on both companies and communities across the region. Together, they’ve built more than a firm — they’ve built a legacy of entrepreneurial partnership and results-driven investing.
Paul Glantz, Chairman and CEO of Emagine. Paul Glantz is a pioneer in entertainment technology and founder of Emagine Theatres, now ranked as the 10th largest exhibitor in North America. He led the company to become the first U.S. chain to fully convert to high-definition digital projection, introducing 4K, EMX, and Dolby Atmos experiences well before the competition. His visionary leadership transformed the moviegoing experience while his commitment to community service has left a lasting impact throughout metro Detroit. Paul also co-founded SmartHealth, a venture applying technology to improve access to affordable healthcare. His legacy is defined by innovation, entrepreneurship and a deep investment in the communities he serves. In everything he builds, Paul stays true to his belief that business success and community advancement go hand in hand.
Patti Glaza, EVP and Managing Director of Invest Detroit Ventures. Patti Glaza has spent over a decade funding and mentoring early-stage tech startups across the Great Lakes region. With a portfolio of more than 200 companies across health care, mobility, IT and more, she has become a champion of inclusive innovation and a driving force in Detroit’s startup ecosystem. Her work has helped launch and scale the next generation of founders while building a stronger, more connected venture capital community. Patti also played a key role in launching venture development programs that prioritize underrepresented founders, helping make Detroit’s innovation economy more accessible and equitable. She’s known not only for backing bold ideas — but for building bridges across sectors and communities
John Janitz and Dominick Schiano, Co-Founders of Evergreen Capital Partners. Dom and John have been at the center of Detroit’s dealmaking scene for decades, with careers spanning Gulf+Western, TRW, Textron, Questor, and now Evergreen Capital Partners. Together they’ve completed over 40 investments totaling $23 billion in enterprise value, including deals with TPG, DLJ/Credit Suisse, and The Gores Group, and served on more than 80 boards combined. Evergreen was founded on their belief that value comes not just from financial engineering — but from true operational transformation. Their leadership style has earned them reputations as trusted advisers to management teams and reliable stewards of business growth. The duo’s legacy is deeply embedded in Michigan’s industrial and private equity resurgence.
Burt Jordan, President of Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp. Burt Jordan spent over two decades at Ford, leading global purchasing, and championing supplier diversity and sustainability. His leadership extended from the shop floor to the boardroom, helping Ford navigate procurement across continents while mentoring emerging leaders. Now retired from the auto industry, Burt serves on multiple corporate boards and is active with organizations like Focus: HOPE, the Rhonda Walker Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan. He also co-founded The Second Course, a lifestyle brand aimed at encouraging second-chapter success and reinvention. Burt’s work exemplifies purpose-driven leadership and service beyond the corporate sphere.
Josh Linkner, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Muditā Venture Partners. Josh Linkner has founded and led five tech companies, creating 10,000 jobs and generating over $200 million in exits. Now Managing Partner at Muditā Venture Partners, he’s helped over 100 startups grow and scale, delivering more than $1 billion in investor returns. A jazz guitarist at heart, Josh brings the creativity of music into business, innovation, and leadership—and continues to inspire others to “Find A Way™” through imaginative problem-solving. He’s also a New York Times bestselling author and one of the country’s most sought-after innovation speakers. Through every venture, Josh remains committed to helping others unleash their full creative potential. He’s become a national voice for unlocking creativity in business and sparking innovation in unlikely places.
Mark Mitchell, Founder and Managing Partner of the Mitchell Family Office. Mark Mitchell is a serial entrepreneur who founded U.S. Medical Management, scaling it into a multi-state, integrated health care platform serving over 50,000 patients annually before selling a majority stake to Centene Corporation. He’s since founded the Mitchell Family Office and co-founded Lorient Capital, investing in over 20 companies across industries. Mark’s vision has long been rooted in scaling with purpose, and his track record speaks to a legacy of building businesses that make a meaningful difference. His investments focus on improving human health and quality of life while generating sustainable long-term value. Mark’s entrepreneurial instinct is matched by a deep belief in impact-driven leadership.
