AC Ventures is a venture firm investing in biotechnology companies.

AC Ventures

Truist

Established renewable energy technologies for a greener future

Current-gen renewables

Origis Energy is a solar and energy storage developer operating in the US. The company specializes in developing, financing, engineering, procuring, constructing, and managing solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. Origis Energy utilizes thin-film solar panels manufactured by First Solar for its photovoltaic (PV) solar facilities. In December 2022, the company contracted with Mitsubishi Power Americas to deliver three utility-scale BESS projects totaling 150 megawatts/600 megawatt-hours. These BESS projects will be co-located with Origis Energy's PV solar facilities in the Southeast US to reduce curtailment of excess solar generation, enabling greater efficiency and higher capacity at the sites.
Origis Energy's BESS projects employ Mitsubishi Power's Emerald Integrated Plant Controller, an Energy Management System and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system that instructs the BESS when to charge and deploy, monitors status, sends alarms and alerts, and enables long-term data storage. As of December 2022, Origis Energy had pioneered large-scale solar in the Southeast, working with utilities, municipalities, and electric cooperatives to deploy over 1.5 gigawatts of operational and contracted projects in the region. The company's total operational and contracted solar and BESS projects across the US exceeded four gigawatts. Additionally, Origis Energy had 2.3 gigawatt-hours of BESS projects contracted or in negotiation, with 13.7 gigawatt-hours currently being developed.
In April 2022, Origis Energy placed an order for 750 megawatts of First Solar's thin-film solar panels, scheduled for delivery in 2024 to Origis projects in the US. This agreement built on a long-standing relationship between the two companies spanning five years and over 1.5 gigawatts of First Solar's thin-film modules.

First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar solutions. The company specializes in manufacturing thin-film solar modules utilizing its proprietary Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) semiconductor technology. First Solar's CdTe modules are designed to deliver reliable energy production with optimized performance and minimal environmental impact across their lifecycle. The company's differentiated manufacturing process enables the production of high-quality and cost-effective solar modules tailored for utility-scale solar projects.
First Solar has strategically invested in expanding its manufacturing footprint in the US to support the country's transition toward clean energy. As of 2024, the company operates multiple state-of-the-art production facilities in Ohio, with an additional facility under construction in Alabama. These facilities, representing a total investment of over USD 4 billion, have enabled First Solar to scale its domestic manufacturing capacity to over 10 GWDC. This significant expansion positions the company as a crucial contributor to the decarbonization efforts and energy security goals of the US.
First Solar's modules have gained wide acceptance in the solar industry, securing substantial orders from prominent power producers and developers. In November 2022, the company secured a landmark 4.9 GW module order from Intersect Power, further solidifying its position as a trusted supplier in the utility-scale solar market. First Solar's commitment to responsible manufacturing practices, low carbon footprint, and swift energy payback from its modules aligns with the industry's pursuit of sustainable and eco-efficient solar solutions.
Key customers and partnerships
First Solar has established strategic partnerships and secured notable orders from key players in the solar energy industry. In November 2022, the company received significant module orders, including a 4.9 GW order from Intersect Power, two GW orders from Swift Current Energy and Arevon Energy, respectively, and a 700 MW order from Silicon Ranch, bringing its sub-total with the Shell-owned developer to four GW. Additionally, First Solar secured orders from National Grid (2 GW), Azure Power (600 MW), Akuo Energy (500 MW), and Scout Clean Energy (378 MW), further solidifying its position as a leading supplier of photovoltaic modules.

Using AI to automate, enhance and optimize marketing activities

Marketing Automation

<div>
 
 Zeta Global offers a marketing platform containing deep insights on customer behavior, which can be leveraged by firms for customer acquisition and growth via omnichannel marketing solutions. At the heart of Zeta Global&rsquo;s offering is a customer data platform (CDP) that contains consumer behavioral and transactional data from proprietary sources as well as data from third-party partners and public data. This is then combined with AI to provide marketing intelligence. In February 2023, the company unveiled the 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16313">
 beta launch of ChatBotZeta,
 </a>
 a solution that reads and synthesizes consumer signals from Zeta's data cloud to generate conversational insights.&nbsp;
 
 
 Zeta Global&rsquo;s edge is the proprietary data it has access to, which consists of 5.4 billion unique global customer identifiers (as of September 2021). These are drawn from more than 235 million proprietary US consumer data and a further 515+ million data from individuals globally. The firm has expanded its first-party data via acquisitions, the most recent being its 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9334">
 acquisition of ArcaMax
 </a>
 in March 2022, which added a further 10 million in &ldquo;permissioned US identities&rdquo;.&nbsp; Zeta Global also claims to be the only platform offering a single unified marketing platform that combines data with marketing automation and omnichannel marketing capabilities. 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 By end&nbsp; June 2022, ~370 customers which include one in three Fortune 100 enterprise customers had subscribed to Zeta Global&rsquo;s platform.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 Zeta Global made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in June 2021 and raised USD 215 million in the process. Before that, Zeta Global had six rounds of funding; the most recent being in March 2021, when USD 222.5 million was raised as new debt financing. The purpose of the varied rounds of funding was to manage working capital as well as fund several acquisitions. By September 2021, the firm had completed six acquisitions. The majority of these acquisitions were related to obtaining more proprietary data to grow its data platform.&nbsp;
 
 
 In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16659">
 FY2022,
 </a>
 the firm achieved a revenue of USD 591 million (29% YoY growth). On the back of robust 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20651">
 Q2 2023 earnings,
 </a>
 the company raised its full year 2023E revenue expectation to range from 
 USD 712 million to USD 718 million, a YoY growth of 19% from its midpoint estimate. The company also increased its adjusted EBITDA, which it expected to be between USD 124.2 million and USD 124.8 million, YoY growth of 35% from its midpoint estimate, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.3% to 17.5%.
 
</div>

Platforms, apps, and cards to keep the corporate wallet in check

Business Expense Management

Veem offers a domestic and cross-border accounts payable (AP) and receivable (AR) platform. Its AP solutions include invoice data capture, automated approval workflows, payment execution, as well as payment tracking, reporting, and reconciliation. Veem supports payouts in over 70 currencies across more than 100 countries (as of December 2022) in several methods (Veem wallet, ACH transfers, checks, and cards). Veem also enables recurring and mass payments and can be integrated with several accounting platforms including QuickBooks, NetSuite, and Xero. The company charges its users a flat monthly fee of USD 14.99 (as of December 2022) and a per transaction fee that varies based on the payment method. Key customers and partnershipsVeem caters SMBs across several industries and had over 400,000 customers across more than 110 countries, as of December 2022. The company provides its services through partnerships with several payment infrastructure platforms including <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30208">Crown Agents Bank</a>, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/234571">Cross River</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15247">Finastra</a>.

Zeta is a Data & Analytics company that uses a People-based Marketing Cloud to help leading brands acquire, grow and retain customers. Founded by David A. Steinberg and John Sculley (former CEO of Apple Computer and Pepsi-Cola) in 2007, Zeta uses big data, advanced analytics and machine learning to power marketing programs for hundreds of Fortune 1000 and Middle Market brands. Zeta was named one of the 50 most promising private companies by Forbes and one of 10 companies on the planet in two Gartner Magic Quadrant reports.   The Company's highly-rated technology platform competes with Oracle, IBM, Salesforce and Adobe. With over 1,000 employees worldwide, the company is headquartered in New York City, with Centers of Excellence in Silicon Valley, Boston, London, and Hyderabad, India, and 12 additional offices around the globe.

The Stro Companies provides commercial real estate services.

PennantPark Investment Corporation is a publicly listed business development firm specializing in direct and mezzanine investments in middle market companies. It invests in the form of mezzanine debt, senior secured loans, and equity investments. The firm invests in equity securities and debt transactions through preferred stock, common stock, warrants, options, subordinated loans, mezzanine loans, and senior secured loans. It seeks to invest in companies based in the United States. The firm seeks to invest between $10 million and $50 million in its portfolio companies. Its mezzanine loans, senior secured loans, and other investments in its portfolio companies are between $15 million and $50 million. The firm may also make non-control equity and debt investments. PennantPark Investment Corporation was founded on January 11, 2007 and is based in New York, New York.

Group 1 Automotive owns and operates about 130 franchises at approximately 100 dealerships, as well as about 25 collision service centers in more than a dozen states. Group 1 Automotive also has a handful of franchises in the UK. The company's dealerships offer new (60% of sales) and used cars and light trucks under more than 30 different brands. It also offers financing, provides maintenance and repair services, and sells replacement parts.

Vuln Voyager is your premier PTaaS (Pentesting as a Service) platform, providing tailored, on-demand penetration testing to pinpoint and rectify vulnerabilities in your digital infrastructure. Embrace the power of cloud-based PTaaS, offering businesses a flexible subscription model for top-tier cybersecurity services. Customize your security needs and fortify your defenses with Vuln Voyager. Elevate your cybersecurity game and ensure robust protection against threats.

SB Energy provides flexible renewable energy at scale, accelerating the global energy transition and benefiting our planet, customers, communities, and people.

New Era Cap is a headwear and fashion apparel brand which offers products such as hand crafted caps and T-shirts.

Fearless is a software shop that builds presentations while maximizing performance. They turn complex data or processes into creative applications that are intuitive and beneficial to the user. To ensure maximum software performance, they streamline and automate developer, operation, security, and testing processes to exponentially increase their efficiency.  Their team comprises designers and developers who have a deep understanding of cutting edge technology and trends, and leverage this knowledge to solve problems. Their developers are experienced enough to know the ins and outs of the industry, but inventive enough not to be bound by convention and to seek out the most creative solution to a problem.

Fearless Sports is a local apparel company.

Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership offers sales, rentals, residential, property development, and real estate services.

First Solar manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive PV system solutions. By constantly decreasing manufacturing costs, First Solar is creating an affordable and environmentally responsible alternative to fossil-fuel generation.   First Solar modules are most effective when demand for traditional forms of energy is at its peak. First Solar set the benchmark for environmentally responsible product life cycle management by introducing a prefunded, comprehensive collection and recycling program for solar modules.

Avow Hospice is an NGO that offers end-of-life care, bereavement support, pet loss support, and caregiver education services.

Tennessee Oncology provides high quality specialist care to patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Origis Energy is a solar development and construction firm that brings clean solar and energy storage solutions. Origis Energy specializes in large-scale solar power projects. They design, build, and operate solar farms that generate clean electricity for utilities, corporations, and communities. Their projects span various stages from initial site assessment and project development to engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), and long-term operations and maintenance (O&M).

GoATL is Georgia's first diversified impact debt fund, with the goal of generating both a social and a financial return. This innovative fund model accelerates and sustains positive community outcomes for Atlanta residents by providing cost-effective loan capital to address our region's most pressing needs, such as healthy, safe housing for every family and more equitable access to living-wage jobs.

Realty Income is a 45-year old, publicly traded real estate company dedicated to paying monthly dividends to its shareholders. The revenue to pay these dividends is generated from over 4,200 commercial properties in 49 states and Puerto Rico that we own under long-term leases, primarily with large commercial enterprises that operate multiple locations. Our shares are listed under the ticker symbol ''O'' on the New York Stock Exchange - See more at: http://www.realtyincome.com/learn/about-us/index.shtml#sthash.O5EuQsAh.dpuf

ZRG Partners is a global executive search and human capital management firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent.  ZRG Partners, LLC is a revolutionized talent management provider. We provide senior-level executive search services grounded in our DNA that values data and analytics in conjunction with great search process. Our proprietary Z score process helps clients make informed hiring decisions while avoiding costly hiring mistakes.  From our core executive recruiting strengths, ZRG has expanded our offerings over the years to adapt to fit our client’s needs as we embed the latest technology solutions and creative approaches into our integrated offerings.  While executive search is our core offering, we provide customized talent solutions, leveraging our core tools and processes in innovative ways. For early stage talent conundrums, talent mappings are often the approach to get a jump on a critical situation. For projects with multiple hires in tight time frames with specialized skills, RPO on Demand brings quality retained search process with leveraged cost savings to our clients. Our ability to be flexible enables us to service our client’s vital needs.  Following our clients globally, we maintain offices throughout the world as a seamless provider of talent. We effectively support talent projects across North and South America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.  For strategic clients with global touch points, we go above and beyond by providing the same high-powered recruiting solutions for key middle management and individual contributor roles.  Whether you are recruiting a CEO or Country Head, or you need support to build out a new facility or region, ZRG has size, scale, and solutions to meet all of your human capital needs. We understand that our clients are as unique as their organizations, and ZRG brings solutions grounded in data-driven and analytical research to produce the talent our clients need and grown accustomed to.  Client-focused, data-driven, and global—provided by a firm that values your business like no other.

Main Street Capital is a principal investment firm that provides long-term debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies. Main Street's investments are primarily made to support management buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings and acquisitions of companies that operate in diverse industry sectors and generally have annual revenues ranging from $10 million to $100 million. Main Street seeks to partner with entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams and generally provides ''one-stop'' financing alternatives to its portfolio companies.

Junior Achievement of Greater Washington is changing the game for their region’s youth with relevant, experiential education for the real world. Their visionary philosophy and innovative, hands-on approach is shaped by a passionate collective of the nation’s educational thought leaders, business front-runners, and Greater Washington civic leaders who come together as role models, partners, and volunteer mentors to challenge the status quo.  JA students benefit from financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programs that are proven to help them be 100% ready for real life in the real world.

Recreational Realty owner, operator, and developer of specialized recreational vehicle and marine storage facilities.

Launch Tennessee is a public-private partnership that supports entrepreneurs from ideation to exit. We’re guided by a vision of making Tennessee the most startup-friendly state in the country, so that entrepreneurs stay here to build companies and create jobs.

Growve is a brand aggregator that specializes in the acquisition and management of wellness and beauty brands. The company headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, was founded in 2018 and acquires and creates brands in six verticals: dietary supplements, beauty, food, sports nutrition, pet, and household wellness, and beauty products.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages.

Originally founded in 1948 by Armando Ferreira de Melo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Melo Group is one of the strongest family-owned, full-service real estate development firms operating in South Florida today. Since the beginning, the company has been focused on delivering a more intelligent approach to development, design, construction, and management of luxury properties. To date, this unique philosophy has been the guiding force behind more than 50 successfully completed projects which offer a combined total of more than 5,000 residential units. As well, the company remains actively involved in real estate development in Argentina as well as in Montevideo, Punta del Este, Uruguay.

The Incubator nurtures the Midlands entrepreneurs and their new companies. The USC/Columbia Technology Incubator is a nonprofit corporation sponsored by the University of South Carolina, City of Columbia and other area governments. Materially, businesses and private donors support the Incubator. It is currently home to nearly 50 companies. Since its inception with Joel Stevenson in 1998, they have provided opportunities for entrepreneurs to commercialize their ideas. They have also produced successful, financially viable and freestanding businesses all while creating hundreds of additional jobs in the community. They want high-tech, high-growth companies that can benefit from all the Incubator partners including USC and Midlands Technical College with manufacturing startup facilities.

The National Press Club is a professional membership organization for news, media and communications professionals, as well as a world-class live events, meeting and multimedia production facility. The Club hosts more than 250,000 visitors annually at more than 2,000 events that are beamed to global audiences in print, on the air and online.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, System One is one of the largest professional staffing firms in the U.S. with over 6,000 employees serving the diversified engineering, clinical/scientific, IT, and legal markets. System One offers a full suite of specialty workforce solutions and integrated services focused on mission-critical, recurring human capital solutions, such as testing and inspection, non-destructive testing, staff augmentation, legal process outsourcing and eDiscovery, recruiting services, managed service provider (MSP) services, and vendor management services (VMS).

Veem is a payment service provider that helps simplify the way businesses send and receive funds. It offers a platform that enables small businesses to send and receive payments in local currency. Using blockchain as a payment rail, the company eliminates the need for intermediary banks, reducing costs for small- and medium-sized businesses. It converts the sender’s funds into bitcoin, selling the digital currency at an exchange for the desired currency of the recipient. Aldo Carrascoso and Marwan Forzley co-founded the company in 2014 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

United Way of Central Maryland create opportunity and improves lives and communities we take on the toughest challenges facing our neighbors and the neighborhoods they call home our programs increase access to basic needs: housing, health, employment, and education.

BB&T and SunTrust formed Truist with a shared purpose—to inspire and build better lives and communities. With our combined resources, collective passion, and commitment to innovation, we’re creating a better financial experience to help people and businesses achieve more. With 275 years of combined BB&T and SunTrust history, Truist serves approximately 12 million households with leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the sixth-largest commercial bank in the U.S. Truist Bank, Member FDIC.

<div> BB&amp;T and SunTrust formed Truist with a shared purpose&mdash;to inspire and build better lives and communities. With our combined resources, collective passion, and commitment to innovation, we&rsquo;re creating a better financial experience to help people and businesses achieve more. With 275 years of combined BB&amp;T and SunTrust history, Truist serves approximately 12 million households with leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the sixth-largest commercial bank in the U.S. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. </div>

Truist starts coverage on Booking Holdings, Expedia with 'hold'

Retail investors demanding sophisticated passive investment strategies are looking for an edge.

Retail Trading Infrastructure

Robo advisory startups that offer automated investment services directly to individuals solely via digital platforms.

Robo advisory startups that offer automated investment services to individuals via both digital platforms and human financial advisors.

Provide solutions for financial advisors/asset managers to automate wealth management and administration functions.

Robo advisory startups that offer automated investment services to businesses via both digital platforms and human financial advisors.

Provides solutions for financial institutions to set up their own robo-advisory function and offer services to clients.

Startups that offer online platforms for investors to trade various securities such as stocks, ETFs, and options directly via the platform

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