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 2025 class of winners on October 9 at the Minneapolis Smart Business Dealmakers Conference. Together, they provide a strong picture of the Minneapolis business community.
Dealmaker Of The Year Honorees
Kristen Denzer. Kristen, Founder and CEO of Tierra Encantada, has built one of the nation’s fastest-growing bilingual childcare platforms. With a $38 million growth investment from Susquehanna Growth Equity, she is expanding Tierra’s footprint across the U.S., bringing Spanish immersion and globally inspired learning to families in five states and beyond. Kristen’s vision is transforming childcare — and setting the stage for national scale.
Joe Johnson. Joe, CEO of Shamrock Group, led a transformative acquisition of KBI Beverage Service from Pentair, expanding Shamrock into a national leader in beverage, ice, chemical, gas and service solutions. Partnering with Duco Capital, he drove the integration of KBI and accelerated Shamrock’s evolution from a regional distributor into a nationwide platform. Under Joe’s leadership, Shamrock now has the scale and capabilities to fuel long-term growth.
Kiel Larsen. As a Partner at Bridgeway Partners, Kiel has shaped deals that strengthen industrial services, value-add distribution and light manufacturing companies across the country. With significant recent acquisitions of Clarity Salt and Tempco Manufacturing, Bridgeway’s disciplined, deal-by-deal model reflects Kiel’s focus on building businesses in true partnership with management teams. His work demonstrates the power of thoughtful capital and hands-on leadership in creating long-term value.
Scott Litman and Dan Mallin. Dan and Scott, Co-Founders of Lucy, built an AI knowledge management platform trusted by global enterprises like PepsiCo, American Express, and Procter & Gamble. In 2024, they led Lucy’s acquisition by Capacity, creating a combined company of 450 employees focused on unlocking insights from enterprise data. From startup founders to AI pioneers, Dan and Scott proved Minnesota can launch and scale world-class technology.
Tyler Lorenzen and Zach Hubert. At PURIS Proteins, President & CEO Tyler Lorenzen and Corporate Development Manager Zach Hubert recently led a $100 million debt refinancing that positions the company for its next wave of growth. A global leader in non-GMO, sustainable food ingredients, PURIS is reshaping the future of nutrition with its organic pea protein platform. Tyler and Zach’s leadership ensures PURIS is ready to meet surging demand worldwide.
Nii Quaye. Nii, Managing Director of Vermilion Group, has led a string of acquisitions across the Midwest, including Gladwin Machinery Solutions, Five Star Plastics, Millennium, Dakotaland Manufacturing, and Intek Plastics. Each deal strengthened Vermilion’s industrial portfolio and expanded its influence in the region. Nii’s disciplined approach has made Vermilion a powerhouse in building and scaling middle-market businesses.
Caleb Schmidt. Caleb, Managing Partner of Duco Capital, orchestrated the acquisition of Shamrock Group and the carve-out of KBI Beverage Service from Pentair — creating the largest beverage service provider in the U.S. As a first-time fundless sponsor, Caleb proved that creativity and persistence can close even the most complex transactions. His work positions Duco as one of the Twin Cities’ boldest private equity players.
Steve Snyder. Steve is being recognized for outstanding contributions in partnership with Marrin Investment Partners on the acquisition of Nutracom, a sports nutrition and supplements co-innovation and contract manufacturing company based in St. Louis. Acting as CEO, Steve, alongside the Marrin team headquartered in Minnesota, acted as co-general partners in the deal, leading the money raise, creating and implementing a renewed strategic direction resulting in the ongoing financial turnaround of this formerly distressed business.
Social Impact Award Honorees
Alicia Phillips. Alicia, President and CEO of the New Impact Fund, is redefining how philanthropy fuels entrepreneurship. By partnering with forward-thinking investors, she’s built a model that provides flexible, low-cost and creative capital to support Black, Indigenous and People of Color entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities. The Fund’s mission is about more than dollars — it’s about wealth creation, employment and economic mobility that reverberates across entire communities.
Under Alicia’s leadership, the New Impact Fund also activates networks of high-net-worth donors, many of them entrepreneurs themselves, who connect not only their financial resources but also their social capital at scale. This combination unlocks opportunity where traditional financing often falls short, helping founders grow businesses that are both sustainable and transformative. Alicia’s work is a powerful reminder that when we align purpose and capital, we don’t just invest in companies — we invest in people, families and the future of inclusive prosperity.
Dealmakers Hall of Fame Honorees
Matt Meents. Matt Meents is a high-growth entrepreneur turned investor whose career reflects the power of building culture alongside companies. As co-founder and CEO of Magnet360, he scaled the firm into one of Salesforce’s top global partners before leading its successful acquisition in 2016. He later launched Yardstik, a VC-backed SaaS innovator in background checks and compliance, where he again demonstrated his knack for turning vision into scalable growth. Today, Matt channels that same passion into investing with Traction Capital and teaching entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas.
Matt’s influence extends far beyond his own ventures. He has dedicated himself to mentoring founders, empowering students and fueling the next generation of entrepreneurs. His career blends hands-on leadership with a commitment to community, making him a role model for how business success can be paired with lasting impact.
Loren Unterseher. Loren Unterseher, Managing Partner of Oxbow Industries, has built a career defined by more than $2.5 billion in corporate finance transactions and decades of leadership in private equity and investment banking. From his early work as a partner at a major Minneapolis law firm to senior roles at RBC, Lazard Middle Market, and Craig-Hallum, Loren earned a reputation for navigating complex deals with vision and precision. At Oxbow, he continues to lead investments that strengthen businesses and drive growth, while also lending his expertise as a board member across technology, manufacturing and services companies.
Beyond the boardroom, Loren’s impact is seen in the breadth of organizations he has helped guide — from NASDAQ-listed firms to high-performing private companies. His ability to bridge law, banking and private equity has made him a trusted adviser and dealmaker across industries.
