2026 Dealmakers of the Year Honorees
Presented By: Oswald | Unison Risk Advisors
Corey Geer
CEO
ATLAS Space Operations
Corey Geer, CEO of ATLAS Space Operations, is being honored with the 2026 Smart Business Detroit Dealmaker of the Year award for his leadership in scaling and successfully exiting a high-growth space technology company. In 2025, Geer guided ATLAS through its acquisition by York Space Systems, marking a significant milestone in the company’s trajectory. Prior to the exit, he led a Series C funding round to fuel rapid expansion, positioning the business to triple its revenue. Under his leadership, ATLAS strengthened its role in the evolving space communications market, delivering innovative solutions and creating meaningful value for investors and strategic partners.
Deepak Menon
Founder & CEO
Micro-LAM
Deepak Menon, Founder and CEO of Micro-LAM, is recognized as a 2026 Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year for his innovation-driven leadership and successful exit in the advanced manufacturing sector. Since founding the company in 2012, Menon has built Micro-LAM into a leader in micro-laser-assisted machining technology, enhancing precision and productivity in optics and diamond tool manufacturing. In 2025, he led the company through its $102 million acquisition by IDEX, delivering strong value to investors and stakeholders. Under his direction, Micro-LAM also expanded through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, positioning the company at the forefront of next-generation manufacturing solutions.
Michael Petix
Partner
M-Tech Dealership Management
Michael Petix, Partner at M-Tech Dealership Management, emerges as a 2026 Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year for his strategic focus on building a platform in high-value equipment and vehicle markets. Since helping form M-Tech, Petix has played a key role in executing a targeted acquisition strategy, completing multiple operating company and property transactions. In 2025, he led M-Tech’s first direct investment with the acquisition of Mark’s Outdoor Power Equipment, a long-standing Michigan business, along with its prime real estate. Through disciplined deal execution and market insight, Petix is helping establish M-Tech as a growing force in equipment dealership consolidation.
Bruce Smith
Owner, Chairman & CEO
Voltava (Formerly: Detroit Manufacturing Systems)
Bruce Smith, Owner, Chairman and CEO of Detroit Manufacturing Systems, stands out as a 2026 Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year for his leadership in driving transformative growth in the automotive manufacturing sector. Since acquiring the company in 2018, Smith has executed a strategic vision centered on expansion, operational excellence and value creation. In 2026, he secured $610 million in acquisition financing, supporting the company’s continued growth following its acquisitions of Avancez Assembly and Android Industries. Under his leadership, Detroit Manufacturing Systems has strengthened its role as a critical partner to global automotive OEMs while significantly expanding its capabilities and long-term impact.
Josh Tolman
Managing Partner
Ethan Linkner
Managing Partner
Mudita Venture Partners
Mudita Venture Partners earns recognition as a 2026 Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year for its growing influence in early-stage technology investing and commitment to scaling high-potential companies. Founded in 2022, and based in Birmingham, Michigan, Mudita has rapidly built an impressive track record with 26 Investments and multiple exits across the two funds. Mudita is an old Sanskirt term that means "find great joy in other people's success". And living up to its name, they actively invest in AI-first early & growth stage companies aimed at the future of work and also do good for the world. Their investments include notable names like APG (8x exit in 3 years); K1x (44x exit in 4 years), Chatterworks, Trellis, i-Genie, Koda Health, Mav, NQS, Pavewise, and Trajektory, among many others. Coming fresh off a 44X exit earlier this quarter, and $165 in AUM, Mudita continues to fuel innovation while creating "Mudita" across the technology ecosystem.
Stephane Vedie
CEO
LUXIT Group
Stephane Vedie, CEO of LUXIT Group, is being honored with the 2026 Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year award for his disciplined and strategic approach to international growth. Leading a globally recognized automotive lighting business, Vedie has guided LUXIT through six strategic acquisitions while maintaining strong operational performance and positioning the company to reach $300 million in revenue. Most notably, he led the acquisition of Plastico Gigante in Mexico through a patient, relationship-driven process and a creative deal structure. Within one year, the operation doubled its revenue, highlighting Vedie’s ability to execute complex cross-border transactions and drive value creation.
SOCIAL IMPACT INVESTING
Carolyn Cassin
CEO
Michigan Women Forward