Ash Creek Capital Advisors
Business advisory and investment banking services
to small and medium-sized businesses
A unique merchant bank
Ash Creek is a boutique Merchant Bank dedicated to assisting businesses who have a clear vision of their goals and objectives. We have provided capital to over 20 businesses and we have learned that entrepreneurs are excellent at figuring what product their businesses need in the marketplace, but almost every one of the businesses we have advised was required to pivot at some point during their evolution and find new solutions in order to create a sustainable business for the long run.
Ash Creek’s team is ready to help your company navigate for long-term success.
Learn how we can help
What we do
For over 20 years, Ash Creek team members have assisted small and mid-market companies. Our team works with management teams to achieve their objectives with customized plans that will get the business first to achieve breakeven, then permit acceleration of their revenue growth and finally to figure out the best way to provide company management, their employees and their investors with a meaningful return.
Business Advisory
Rolling up our sleeves
Every business pivots. But it’s not always clear when to pivot and what direction to go in. And harder to actually make it happen. Ash Creek assesses all aspects of a business and its strategy, capabilities and opportunities. We work closely with sponsors, investors and management to chart a clear path to profitable growth. And, only if needed, we roll up our sleeves and take on temporary roles in the company.
Deep dives
In special situations where industry challenges cause significant problems for users or consumers, Ash Creek assembles a team both from within and without its ranks to diagnose root causes and design comprehensive solutions.
These efforts often require significant investment by both you and us, and are only undertaken where we have specific expertise and long-term commitment to the solution.
Business development
Especially for startups, most entrepreneurs have a keen eye for market needs, product viability and have built at least at first iteration of a workable technology/product/solution. But not all of them have a competitive advantage in distribution. And that makes all the difference.
Where we have existing relationships, Ash Creek members roll up their sleeves to make warm introductions and/or to follow through to enterprise-wide B2B sales.
Learn how we can help
Our investments
Most of our investments have been made in conjunction with family offices and other investment groups. There is no minimum investment.
Before we invest our capital in your business, we will conduct extensive due diligence to make sure the economic, marketing and financial models all work together to efficiently get your product launched with an appropriate valuation. Generally, we invest our own capital but sometimes we will look to other sources of capital to fund the business in conjunction with our members. It is not unusual for us to create a Special Purpose Entity (SPE), a limited liability company, for investing in situations where the investment requirement may be larger than the position our members may be funding along side other investors.
Finally, while we have funded a number of businesses, in 2021, we were pleased to learn that one of the businesses funded back in 2019 has become a Unicorn and will exit the year with a $1 billion valuation. This situation occurred because our members seeded a business after extensive due diligence and the management group delivered on a vision that will carry them forward into the future.
Our Investments
Listed below are businesses in which Ash Creek members are currently involved:
7AC TECHNOLOGY LLC
7AC offers a new approach to air conditioning technology, developing extreme energy savings and the ability to maximize climate friendly refrigerants.
ALLWORKS
AllWork helps brands and retailers more efficiently staff their stores and respond to the challenges presented by the work preferences of Millennials. The company’s enterprise SaaS solution enables brands and retailers to source, schedule, monitor, train and evaluate their BA, freelance and in-store support, allowing them to maximize sales and reduce costs.
BLUSAPPHIRE
The first and only Unified Cyber Defense Platform with Intelligent Response Automation. It’s a Platform not just another tool. BluSapphire Enhanced Detection & Response (EDR) product is an elegant and ease to use platform to address the cyber defense stack – detection, analysis, response & remediation – a single tool that utilizes AI and machine learning to span the cyber defense stack in a single pane of glass.
CYBER SAFETY
CSI is a state-of-the-art, high growth, cyber security company with multiple products targeted to enterprises and consumers. CSI is NOT an anti-virus vendor – CSI’s key product, EndpointLockTM, provides PREVENTION from zero-day malware. The EndpointLock product is part of FirstData’s merchant package.
GIMBAL
Gimbal permits advertisers, publishers and resellers to monetize their audiences on mobile with scale and accuracy.
JA LEE
JA Lee upgrades property infrastructure for wireless tele-data and improved person-to-person communications in commercial buildings, stadiums and convention centers.
KLICKLY.COM LLC
Klickly lets you buy what you want on any device including your mobile phone, when you see it. No navigating away from your content. No annoying shopping carts.
KYRUS MOBILE LLC
Kyrus Mobile’s technology prevents distracted driving by employees using cell phones while driving to reduce risk and minimize company liability.
NANOVAPOR
NanoVapor Inc. offers breakthrough nanotechnologies in the industrial management of vapors from gasoline, petrochemicals, oil and its derivatives. By working at the molecular level, NanoVapor’s systems are significantly safer, faster, healthier, greener, and more cost effective than conventional methods.
PERCH INTERACTIVE
Perch uses computer vision technology to bring retail customers the ability to physically interact with products in a way that drives 5-10x greater engagement. For the retailer, use of the perch technology drives greater sales lift of between 30 and 130%.
PING
“The future is voice.” ping is patented, cross platform voice technology that allows users to hear all their messages and email read aloud, when touching their device is dangerous, illegal (driving) or simply inconvenient. Software-only telematics provides drivers, parents, fleets and auto insurers, extensive driving behavior, analysis and reporting.
QUERALT INC
Queralt powers intelligent real-time tracking, safety and security for Homeland Security, Agilent Technologies Matheson Tri-Gas and many more businesses.
SAFE
SAFE is a Modern Healthcare Company leveraging technology and innovative marketing techniques to disrupt the spread of chronic infections and facilitate care for those afflicted. Their mission is to create healthcare systems that empower patients and enable providers.
SWAPONZ
Swaponz is a technology and consumer product company that is combining its patented Infinite Swap product platform with the power and excitement of Augmented Reality to inform and engage customers at the point of sale and during events. Their partnership with Dreamscape Immersive combines Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technologies to create a new form of mainstream location-based entertainment.
THIRSTIE
The new standard in enterprise e-commerce for liquor brands. Thirstie builds the most powerful and flexible tools to enable internet commerce. Whether you’re a large or small brand, Thirstie’s meticulously-designed APIs and unmatched functionality help you create the best possible product experience for your customers. Many of the world’s most recognized brands are scaling faster and more efficiently by building their businesses on Thirstie.
TSŪ
Tsū is a social media platform whose users capture value by creating and sharing original content from all over the world. Our community includes celebrities, athletes, artists, and everyday people.
ZONEFLOW
Zone Flow focuses on the development of reactor technologies to improve the efficiency of the production of hydrogen and syngas by the steam methane reforming (SMR) process. SMR is the dominant process worldwide for the production of hydrogen and its derivatives.
Who We Are
We are 25+ business leaders with over 1,000 cumulative years of leadership
experience running businesses across a broad array of industries.
And we bring that experience to bear for every one of our clients or investments.
Our Industry Experience
Healthcare
Mergers & Acquisitions
Real Estate
Retail
Financial Services
Consumer Marketing
Energy and Industrial Technology
Branding
Insurance
Private Equity
Investment Banking
Telecommunications
Information Technology
Human Resources
Learn how we can help
Our Functional Experience/Consulting Expertise
Running Companies
Operational Audits
Organization Effectiveness Assessment
Business Analysis/Competitive Assessments
Strategy Development
Crisis Management/Turnarounds
Executive Assessment/Talent Management
Distressed Debt/Workouts/Recapitalization
Interim Management Engagements
Operating Counsel and Problem Solving
Special Situations
Start Ups/Pivots/Talent Management
Our Members
BRIAN ANDREOLI
MANAGING DIRECTOR
International tax partner with three multinational firms; tax principal with three of the big four accounting firms: corporate tax experience are two major pharmaceutical companies. Extensive experience in litigation
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WILLIAM A. BROWN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Alternative investments and asset management, with 25+ years of experience in identifying, seeding and investing with high-quality Hedge Fund managers. Having evaluated approximately 2500 HFs, currently specializing
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CHRISTOPHER J. CROVATTO
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Entrepreneur, advisor, and direct investor in middle-market private equity and real estate transactions. Managing partner in several private equity backed portfolio companies. Specialization in structured real estate finance with a focus
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THOMAS M. DAVIDSON
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Managing director of consulting group specializing in start-up and middle market and specialty finance companies and treasurer of real estate group. Wide-ranging experience as Chairman, CEO, COO and CFO for NYSE/NASDAQ
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FLORENCE C. DIPAOLA
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Former senior financial services executive with diversified background in domestic and international leasing/lending – multiple industry sectors. Specialized in Big Ticket Tax Leveraged Leasing – structuring, advisory and syndications. Primary and secondary market focus related
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MITCHELL DICKEY
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Management Consultant in professional services firms. 17 years as a serial entrepreneur; launched four companies – sold one, running one and is starting a new venture to scale behavioral health services. Prior to these activities
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ROBERT FARLEY
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Independent consultant. Former Managing Director and Head of North American Sales & Relationship Management covering Financial Intermediaries for BNP Paribas’ Global Securities Services. Prior to BNP Paribas, he worked at
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STEVEN E. HIRSCH
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Advisor and consultant in structured asset-based finance, including equipment financings and leases, the acquisition of asset-based portfolios and specialty finance companies, lease equity placement and the structuring and
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CHRISTOPHER G. L. JONES
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Investor and venture capitalist with experience in manufacturing, high tech electronics, medical devices, energy conservation, defense industries and Internet-related software companies as well as government and
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RICHARD KELLY
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Retired senior investment banker with extensive international and cross border merger and acquisition as well as financial advisory experience across a variety of industries at The Bridgeford Group/Mizuho, JPMorgan, Credit Suisse/First
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STEVEN LANDIS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Strategic consultant focused on private credit investing. Investor with extensive experience in fixed income, relative value, sector allocation, and market timing. Formerly Vice President and head of Macquarie Investment
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TERRY LAUGHREN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Private equity investor, board director and advisor in media and marketing services, including Screenvision Cinema Network, where he actively ran the company as President, Chairman and CEO. Media, advertising and
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PAUL MANSOUR
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Paul Mansour has served at financial institutions (MBIA, Conning Asset Management) for more than 35 years as head of business units for credit research analysis, business development, marketing, and investment policy
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LARRY MARKIN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Entrepreneur, Former Owner and President of Sherman Plastics Corporation. Over 40 Years in the Plastic Industry. Expertise in sales, management, and manufacturing.
Sherman Plastics Corporation is a four-time Illinois
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JIM MCPARTLAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Global Investment Banker, Strategic Partner and Trusted Advisor with a proven international track record of success in creating and executing Board-mandated initiatives and strategic visions by addressing market complexity
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HOWARD MEITINER
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Multi-faceted President/CEO in retail, consumer marketing and healthcare fields, with both domestic and international experience related to business development, organizational turnarounds, start-ups and leadership assessment
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VICKI MUNSEL
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Retired Managing Director of Deutsche Bank with responsibility for US leveraged and structured finance credit group. Various other positions were at Bankers Trust before its acquisition by Deutsche Bank. BA, Trinity College.
SCOTT B. REARDON
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Venture capital and private equity investor in early stage companies specializing in information technology and communications, notably wireless communications, web and Internet protocol services and SAAS
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ALLAN B. RUCHMAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Private Equity investor in real estate and growth capital companies. Extensive merger, acquisition and restructuring experience with consumer, retailing and general manufacturing industries as senior investment banker
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MARK RUCHMAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Mark Ruchman MD is an ophthalmologist specializing in reconstructive oculoplastic surgery. He has over 30 years’ experience in managed care with particular emphasis on policy development, technology
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STEVE SEAGRIFF
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Former senior financial services executive with background in both domestic and international lease and project financing, managing equity investments for Philip Morris Capital, a subsidiary of a large multinational company
LEON SHAPIRO
MANAGING DIRECTOR
CEO, Board member, investor and executive leader with a broad background in leading and managing subscription based membership businesses. Former Chairman and CEO at Vistage a Private Equity acquired company. Sold in
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HOWARD K. WEBER
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Former senior financial services executive with experience in asset based financing and other tax related structures. Developed and marketed a computer model to analyze tax oriented leasing transactions. Managed leasing portfolio for a major bank. Placed equity investments in
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STEPHEN S. YOUNG
MANAGING DIRECTOR
International lawyer, business developer and executive leader with a broad background in technology, finance and international business operations. Experience in government, Fortune 100 companies, and entrepreneurial
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MICHAEL P. ZARRILLI
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Michael P. Zarrilli has extensive experience and expertise in Finance and Investments. He spent 32 years with JP Morgan and predecessors in multiple managerial and transactional
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