2024 Dealmakers of the Year Honorees
Presented By: Return on Life Wealth Partners
Cal Al-Dhubaib
Head of AI & Data Science
Further
Provider of artificial intelligence design and development services catering to high-risk industries such as healthcare, defense and energy.
- Acquired by Further, an Atlanta-based data, cloud, and AI company, for undisclosed terms.
- The acquisition of Pandata solidifies Further's commitment to providing privacy-first cutting-edge AI and machine learning solutions to their portfolio of 100+ Fortune 500 clients.
Shane Bigelow
CEO
Champ Titles
Developer of a digital title and registration suite intended to digitize the process of vehicle titling
- Raised $18 million Series C funding led by Point72 Ventures, the bicoastal venture capital firm owned by Steven Cohen, the hedge fund manager who also owns the New York Mets baseball team
- Among existing investors in the recent round were W.R. Berkley Corp., Eos Venture Partners, Guidewire Software and Rev1 Ventures
Constantine Elefter
Partner
MPE Partners
A private equity firm focused on lower middle market leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and build-up investments with entrepreneur- and family-owned businesses and corporate divestitures.
- MPE Partners, along with portfolio company 80/20, LLC, acquired Flexpipe allowing 80/20 to offer a new product line, expand into a new geographical market, and create additional channel customers.
- Aided by investment bank Copper Run, 80/20 continues to explore new market opportunities.
Michael Hoy
CEO
Ed Weinfurtner
Executive Chairman
Great Day Improvements
A fast-growing, tech-enabled vertically integrated Direct-to-Consumer home improvement business that serves homeowners nationwide in 128 U.S. markets and more than 230 locations. The company has grown from $70M in 2019 to more than $1.2 Billion today and plans to expand to over 280 locations and $1.4B by year end.
- Best known for its popular brands: Patio Enclosures, Champion Windows, Universal Windows Direct as well as many others.
- In 4Q 2023 Great Day acquired K Designers, a home Improvement business based in Sacramento covering 12 locations in Pacific Northwest and Home Performance Alliance, a home improvement business based in Tampa with three locations in Northern Florida
- The company has signed an agreement in May and will be announcing its largest acquisition ever later this June.
Wendy Jarchow
Chief Investment Officer
River SaaS Capital
Provider of venture debt financing to growing SaaS businesses that prefer non-dilutive working capital to expand their customer base. The firm also provides alternative financing models, entrepreneurship mentoring, and a partnership approach to early-stage SaaS companies.
- Launched equity fund, TruWest Fund I
- The fund is designed to provide follow-on capital for those who have taken venture debt as a way to maximize their growth potential while optimizing their fundraising capabilities.
Brian Leonard
Managing Partner, CFO, & CCO
Edgewater Capital
A private equity firm that seeks to invest in specialty industrials, life science, advanced materials, and specialty chemicals businesses.
Charlie Lougheed
CEO
Axuall
Developer of a workforce intelligence network for healthcare intended to streamline workforce deployment, drive efficiencies, and maximize revenue.
- Co-founder of Explorys, which sold to IBM in 2015.
- Went on to found Axuall in 2019.
- Raised $27 million in capital ($41M in total) from some of the largest names in healthcare in 2023 including Flare Capital, Noro Moseley, MedStar, Intermountain, Jackson Health, Hartford Health, and Frist Cressey.
- Proud to have early and strategic northeast Ohio investors such as JumpStart, North Coast Ventures, University Hospitals, and Zappis.